Re: Cannot view CircuitMaker 2000 drill files in KiCad

On Thu, 29 Aug 2024 22:02:19 +0530, Pimpom <Pimpom@invalid.invalid>
wrote:

I've been designing and making PCBs for well over 50 years and used
CircuitMaker 2000 for about the last 25 years. It's still good enough
for most of what I do but I thought it's high time to get familiar with
a more modern software like KiCAD (I tried it out briefly several years
ago).
>
I installed KiCAD again last night and tried to view Gerber files made
with CM2000. It worked except for the drill file. It threw up the error
message "Tool definition not supported".
>
While searching for a solution, I came across a thread in a web forum
where the OP reported a similar problem, saying that a PCB manufacturer
rejected his CM2000 design because it had no drill file. One reply said
that manufacturers need the Excellon RS274X format whereas CM2000 uses
the RS274D version. The reply further said that the D version creates a
separate aperture file while the X version embeds aperture sizes in the
main file.
>
The CM2000 manual clearly says that it uses the RS274X format, not the
D. Moreover, the drill file generator in CM2000 has the option of
embedding or not embedding the apt data. Neither option works. I simply
cannot load CM2000 drl files in KiCAD Gerber Viewer.
>
Can anyone please throw some light on the matter?

I think the world is going to ODB++ instead of Gerbers. We generate
both and let the board house decide.

There are standalone Gerber viewers.