Best DipTrace Export Format for Forum?

Bill Chennault

All--

I am evaluating DipTrace. Is there a preferred export format for the forum? I know I can export to dfx and it can be read, but by everyone?

It seems the BEST thing would be to somehow convert one of the DipTrace formats to a jpg. What is commonly done?

Thanks!

--Bill

W9GFO

I usually just capture a screen shot.

Rich H

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

JPEG uses lossy compression, so it's a poor format for images requiring crisp detail. GIF, TIFF, and PNG are much better in this regard.

I assume, since you mentioned an image format and not a data format, you're only thinking about export for fabrication, not modification, right? If that's the case, Gerber is the most universally-accepted route for this, along with Excellon drill files.

-Phil

Bill Chennault

Rich and Phil--

Rich. Duh on me. I got lost in the sauce thinking about the Export utilities. Thanks!

Phil,

you're only thinking about export for fabrication, not modification, right?

The only reason I want to export is to be able to post schematics on this forum. My hand drawings are not quite up to par. If I am missing something, let me know. (Obviously, I missed capturing screen shots!)

--Bill

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Bill,

Be sure to save your screenshot in one of the non-JPEG formats I mentioned. Here's why:

JPEG


GIF


'Notice the fuzz and discoloration around the lines in the JPEG image? This is due to compression losses. JPEG is most suitable for images with smooth color/intensity transitions, such as photos. GIF, TIFF, and PNG use/can use lossless compression and don't suffer from these artifacts. Also, GIF is a paletted image format, suitable for images with a limited number of different colors, resulting in much smaller image sizes. The above JPEG, for example, is twice the size of the GIF.

-Phil

Bill Chennault

Phil--

Thanks. Even before I post the following, I am thinking your light colored background looks better than my black one . . .

How did you insert it directly into the message? (This is probably not the correct place to be asking such a question. Ignore me and/or forgive me!)

--Bill

Leon

I always use GIFs for posting PCB layouts, and PDFs for schematics.

schill

I agree with Leon that PDFs are often very nice for schematics (unless they are PDFs of bitmaps (JPG, GIF, PNG, etc) in which case I don't like them).

For bitmaps, I prefer PNG over GIF (but maybe that's mostly fallout from the Compuserve patent stuff).

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Bill,

After uploading the image, I did a preview, then right-clicked on the thumbnail and selected "Copy Link Address". This address was then pasted between [noparse][/noparse] tags.

-Phil

Bill Chennault

Phil and All--

I need to refine the technique, but this is close to what I want.

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?129523-Trying-to-export-from-DipTrace&p=976392#post976392

Thanks!

--Bill

max72

Under windows a nice option is pdfcreator.
When exporting you can save to many formats, not only pdf.
As an image I prefer the png format.
Massimo