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I am trying to find my way around Cadence Allegro. My aim is to make a PDF file with the copper mask.

I made a schematic with capture, created a PCB layout with Allegro PCB Designer and created artwork using Manufacture->Artwork.

I then imported this artwork into Allegro and selected File->Plot and printed via a PDF printer. My problem is that the copper for the pads is not filled solidly but with thin lines. Why is this so and how can I get solid filling?

See the attached example:

  • even very thick lines are solid
  • pads are hatched only

enter image description here

Brian Carlton
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ARF
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  • Is your goal to get the pdf to look right, or to make sure the board will be fabricated correctly? – Justin May 04 '12 at 13:31
  • @Justin I think in my case those are identical. The pdf is used as an optical mask. – ARF May 04 '12 at 13:54

1 Answers1

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It turns out the problem is that I was trying to print a photomask from gerber files.

The entire "Manufacture" step is unnecessary. This document explains how to print photomasks directly from the layout. The result is as it should be:

enter image description here

ARF
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