Mega FP?8000 XL Instruction Manual - page 8
Aperture files can have various formats, depending on software where it was created. This program uses
Lavenir‘s format as a standard. Beside Lavenir‘s format (.env) can this program read directly several other
formats like CAM350, IsoCAM, GC‐CAM – other formats must be converted to one of them. The program has
built‐in DOS aperture converter made by Lavenir, which allows to convert most of the common aperture file
formats into Lavenir‘s format in an easy way.
Before loading aperture file, make sure it will be loaded on the same layer as corresponding Gerber file –
use Active Layer to set active layer.
Use Job – Import Apertures or „Apt“ icon to activate this apertures converter. A dialog window appears
where it is possible to choose aperture type of loaded aperture files and to define the loaded aperture file. If
loaded file has format of Lavenir, CAM350, GC‐CAM or IsoCAM , then it can be loaded directly, just choose
this aperture type. If loaded type is not listed under aperture type, use other apertures – it will bring up the
aperture converter
automatically.
Note
: Similar, new Windows
version of this converter is in
ViewMate program – that one
can be also used to convert
aperture files to Lavenir‘s
format.
When DOS aperture converter
starts,
program
will
automatically fill all needed
information in it. The user can
verify the source of aperture
file by clicking on „Guess
Format“ – the converter will
report the name of the
program where aperture file
was created. The
conversion will start by clicking
on „Start“ or F4. Exit converter by using ESC keyboard button. When converter closes, confirm OK on a small
dialog window. The name of loaded aperture file will be displayed in the field APERTURE for particular layer,
beside name of corresponding Gerber file under GERBER.
Please note
, that selected aperture file will appear in this converter always under name of „APERT.TXT“,
while converted file will have assigned name of „APERT.ENV“. This is done on purpose to avoid problems with
longer names of aperture files. Program will always rename selected aperture file as APERT.TXT, convert it as
APERT.ENV and after this conversion is confirmed by OK in a small dialog window, it rename converted file
back to the original one with extension .env.
To check and/or modify loaded aperture table for selected (active) layer use Preference – Aperture Table or
an icon.
It is possible to define custom aperture table directly in Aperture Table (Preference – Aperture Table),
without any conversion. In aperture table select shapes (Round, ….) and type sizes of selected D‐codes, then
save under any name. Program will create an aperture file in Lavenir‘s format (.env), which can be then
loaded through Job‐Import Apertures – as a Aperture Type select Lavenir).