2016-09-13

KiCad PCB for Seeed Studio Fusion PCB service

I have used the following KiCad PCB Layers:
  • F.Cu and B.Cu
  • F.SilkS and B.SilkS
  • F.Mask and B.Mask
  • Edge.Cuts for PCB edges

To generate required files open the Plot window (Main menu: File -> Plot) and make the settings like in the following image:


Press the Plot button to generate required gerber files then press the Generate Drill File button and make the following settings:


Now, press the Drill File button and close those windows.

The generated files should be in the Output directory.
To check generated files you can use KiCad's integrated viewer for gerber files, GerbView.

To build the final archive:
  • rename all files from the Output directory to <projectName> but do NOT change their extensions;
  • rename the <projectName>.gm1 to <projectName>.gml ;
  • rename the <projectName>.drl to <projectName>.txt ;
  • create a zip archive named <projectName>.zip with all 8 <projectName>.* files.

The <projectName>.zip archive is ready to be sent to Seeed Studio's Fusion PCB service.

Note: these instructions are for KiCad 4.0.0-rc1-stable.

2016-09-12

Atollic TrueSTUDIO Download without Debug

Open the Debug Configurations window (Main menu: Run -> Debug Configurations...).

In the Debug Configurations window, if you do not have a debug configuration under Embedded C/C++ Application create one:
  • right-click on Embedded C/C++ Application an select New;
  • give it a name (example: Debug);
  • in the Main tab:
    • for C/C++ Application use ${build_configuration}\${project_name}.elf
    • for Build configuration use Use Active
  • in the Debugger tab select your debug probe (I am using ST-LINK) and the options you want. For ST-LINK, I usually check Verify flash download option;
  • in the Common tab select Debug under Display in favorites menu list.

When you have a debug configuration under Embedded C/C++ Application:
  • right-click on it and select Duplicate
  • give it a name (example: Download and Reset target)
  • in the Startup Scripts tab, Target Software Startup Scripts edit the script. I have deleted everything after the load command and inserted a quit command.
Without comments the script looks like:
set host-charset CP1252
set target-charset CP1252
monitor reset
load
quit
Customize current perspective to launch your new debug configurations:
Main menu: Window -> Perspective -> Customize Perspective...
In the Tool Bar Visibility tab expand the Launch item then uncheck and recheck the Debug subitem.

Now in the toolbar you should have a debug button with a drop-down list to select desired debug configurations.