This command opens the Import Wizard. The Wizard allows you to specify which files (Gerber, aperture lists, VisualCAM databases, Drill files, etc.) you wish to import, assign aperture lists to specific Gerber files, and order the loading sequence. VisualCAM automatically recognizes the file types, and imports the specified files into the first empty block of consecutive layers found. D-codes with multiple definitions are automatically remapped to new D-codes, as needed.
Make sure all the files you wish to import are in the same folder.
Select the File|Import|Import Wizard command. Page 1 of the Import Wizard appears:
My Data Is In
Enter the name of the folder containing your files to import. Click the Browse button to search for the folder.
Configure File Types To Ignore
This button opens the Configuration dialog box, where you may enter any file name extensions that you want the program to ignore when scanning the folder. The more files that may be safely ignored, the faster the Import Wizard will be able to scan the specified folder.
Configure Aperture List Converters
This button opens the Configuration dialog box, where you may specify which aperture list converters should be enabled. The more aperture list converters enabled, the longer it will take to scan the specified folder.
Click the Next button to continue to Page 2 of the Import Wizard. This page presents the list of files that VisualCAM found in the selected import folder. Click on the list column headers to sort the list based on the data within the respective columns.
Filename
Indicate whether VisualCAM should import a file by putting a check mark by the filename. Click the Unselect All Importable button if you wish to remove the check marks next to all file names.
File Type
All importable file types are indicated (if a file cannot be imported, "???" appears.) If VisualCAM detects the file type incorrectly, you may change it by clicking on the file type in question, and selecting the correct type from the shortcut menu.
Data Format
This column indicates the detected data format for each file. To override the detected format, click on the appropriate entry.
If the file is Gerber, the Gerber Import Data Format dialog box appears. See File|Import|Gerber for details on using this dialog box.
Tip: In order for a 274-X file to be properly recognized,
it must have an %FS
statement (Format Statement) and at least one %ADD
statement (Aperture Definition). If you know your files are 274-X
but are not recognized as such, you should check your file in a text editor
for these statements.
If the Format Statement is missing, you can either manually add it to the
file in the text editor, or specify the settings in the Gerber Import
Data Format dialog box. The file should then import without further issues.
If the Aperture Definition statement is missing, you can specify the format
settings in the Gerber Import Data Format dialog box. The file will import
without any aperture definitions, which you can add later (if desired)
using the Setup|Apertures command.
If you need further information regarding Gerber file formats, see Gerber
for Beginners.
If the file is an aperture list, the Select Converter dialog box appears. VisualCAM has already selected an appropriate aperture converter to use for your aperture list, if one is available. To override the selection, select a different converter to use from the Data Format list. You can have your selection applied to all incoming aperture lists by clicking the Apply To All button. You can create a new converter by clicking the New Converter button. See File|Import|Aperture List for details on creating a converter.
If the file is an NC tool list, the Select Converter dialog box appears. VisualCAM has already selected an appropriate converter to use for your tool list, if one is available. To override the selection, select a different converter to use from the Data Format list. You can have your selection applied to all incoming tool lists by clicking the Apply To All button. You can create a new converter by clicking the New Converter button. See File|Import|NC Tool List for details on creating a converter.
If the file is DXF, the Import DXF dialog box appears. See File|Import|DXF for details on using this dialog box.
If the file is HPGL, the HPGL Import dialog box appears. See File|Import|HPGL for details on using this dialog box.
If the file is DPF, there are no format parameters to modify.
If the file is NC (drill or mill) data, the Import NC Data dialog box appears. See File|Import|NC (Drill/Mill) for details on using this dialog box.
Length
The size of the file, in bytes.
Date
The date that the file was last modified.
Show Unknown File Types
By default, the Wizard only displays those files it can identify. Select this option if you wish to see all files contained in the selected import folder.
Click the Next button to continue.
If you are importing any 274-D files, Page 3 appears. This page is used to assign 274-D Gerber files to aperture lists. Drag each Gerber file onto the desired aperture list. (If only one aperture list is present, all Gerber files are automatically assigned to it.) Then click the Next button.
If you are not importing any 274-D files, Page 3 is skipped.
Page 4 presents the final list of files that are to be imported. The files are imported to layers in the order they are listed. If you wish to reorder the files so that your layers are in the proper order, click and drag each file to the desired position.
If you wish to prevent warning messages from being displayed when importing files, select Suppress Import Warning Messages. A log file will still be created but you will not be prompted whether to view it.
When you are satisfied with your selections and ordering, click the Finish button. Your files are imported and any pertinent information or warning messages are displayed in the Log screen. You can save the log by right-clicking on the Log screen, and selecting the Save Log command from the shortcut menu.
Tip: Polygon Voids in 274-X files are supported, but are not recognized as standalone entities. Voids are only relative to the closed and filled polygon that contains them. If you query a polygon void (Query|Item command), the information returned is for the polygon itself. Polygon voids also cannot be modified, added, or deleted.