I plan to put them all on the archive as well as Github. Probably Github first, as I'm really wanting to redo the site using more modern tools, but will have to learn about those tools. I will start moving stuff over to Github in the next week or two.
I'm still doing some tidying up of the fonts, etc. of the various scans. Updates will be merged with the Github repo as they are done.
I have imported the Gerbers to Altium PCB format, where I'm doing the tweaks, then generating new Gerbers. I would like to leave a path to fully reverse engineer the boards by making footprint libraries from the PCB files, and entering schematics to link to the PCB. Those design files will be available as well.
I realize that most folks don't have Altium, so I am considering finding a way to either
- redo the work by importing Gerbers to Kicad PCB, then working backwards. This would be contingent on Kicad having a very accurate import facility.
- exporting the Altium PCB files to KiCAD, then working backwards
- do all the work in Altium, then export to Kicad. This would depend on a good export/import process from AD->KiCAD.
- do all the work in Altium, then export to CircuitMaker. This would count on Circuitmaker being available for free forever.
Currently, my process is:
- Import Gerber using CAMTastic, and export to Altium PCB format. This is very accurate.
- remove the board outline from the copper layers and place it on a separate board outline layer.
- - Copper pours and polygons are scanned as rasters of hundreds of traces, greatly inflating file size and slowing processing. I replace these with normal polygon pours.
- Fonts are scanned as crude stroke fonts. I replace these with a closer Truetype font (Phil is working with me on this), trying to respect spacing, etc.
- Do a a design rule check using a rule set appropriate for OSI boards.
- Generate a fresh set of Gerbers, drill table, drawings, and renderings, and package together with a readme file in a single ZIP ready for fab.
Grant has indicated that he is willing to contribute at least the Gerbers for his reproductions as well.
So, we should have a large library of at least Gerbers online shortly.
Dave