Getting Started

This page is for beginners. It explains what FlatCAM Evo does, the basic workflow, and the main concepts. Read it before you start a board.

What FlatCAM Evo does

FlatCAM Evo is a 2D CAM program. CAM means computer-aided manufacturing. It reads the design files of a printed circuit board (PCB) and makes the machine code (G-code) for a CNC router, a CNC mill or a laser.

FlatCAM Evo can:

• Read Gerber and Excellon files from your PCB design software.
• Make isolation routing paths, so the copper tracks are cut apart from the copper around them.
• Remove the copper in large areas (NCC).
• Drill the holes.
• Cut the board out of the stock.
• Mirror a layer for a double-sided board.
• Write G-code for the machine.

The program also has editors, a Tcl shell for scripts, and support for other formats such as DXF, SVG and PDF.

The four-step workflow

Each PCB job follows the same four steps.

Step	What you do	Result
1. Load	Open the design files (copper, outline, drills).	Gerber and Excellon objects in the Project tab.
2. Prepare	Check the files. Move, mirror or align objects if needed.	The objects are ready for the tools.
3. Generate	Run a plugin (for example Isolation, Cutout or Drilling).	Geometry objects with the toolpaths.
4. CNC job	Generate a CNC job from a Geometry or an Excellon object. Save the G-code.	CNCJob objects and G-code files.

The complete example is in Tutorial Single-Sided PCB.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Getting-Started-1.png — a diagram of the four steps with the object type of each step.

Basic concepts

Objects

Every file and every result is an object. The Project tab lists all objects. The main object types are:

Object	What it holds
Gerber	Copper, mask, silkscreen or outline layer of the PCB.
Excellon	Drill holes and slots.
Geometry	Toolpaths and shapes. Made by the plugins.
CNCJob	The G-code. Made from a Geometry or an Excellon object.
Script	A Tcl script.
Document	A text document, for example a report.

For more detail, see Objects Overview.

Project

A project holds all objects, their settings and the layout of the window. Save it with File > Save > Save Project (Ctrl+S). The project file has the extension .FlatPrj.

For more detail, see Projects.

Units

The app works in millimeters (mm). A project that was saved in inches opens in inches. The status bar at the bottom of the window shows the active unit, for example [mm]. Check the units before you generate paths.

Origin

The origin is the point (X = 0, Y = 0). The coordinates in the status bar are measured from this point. Use Edit > Set Origin (O) to set a new origin. Use Edit > Move to Origin to move the selected objects to the origin.

Tool diameter

The tool diameter is the width of the cutting tool. The isolation paths depend on it. The drill diameter must match the drill bit.

Preprocessor

The preprocessor turns the internal paths into the G-code dialect of your machine. Choose the preprocessor in the CNC job plugins. See Preprocessors.

The user interface at a glance

The main window has these parts:

• Title bar: the window menu, the notebook button, the undo and redo buttons, the main menu, and the window buttons.
• Menu bar: File, Edit, Options, View, Objects, Plugins and Help.
• Toolbars: buttons for the common actions.
• Side panel (left): the Project tab, the Properties tab and, while a plugin runs, the plugin tab (it shows the plugin name).
• Plot area (center): the 2D canvas. The 3D view and other tabs open here too.
• Status bar (bottom): the coordinates, the grid snap, the units and the status icons.

For details, see User Interface.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Getting-Started-2.png — the main window with the parts labeled.

First steps in the UI

1. Start FlatCAM Evo. See Installation.
2. Click File > Open > Open Gerber (Ctrl+G). Choose a Gerber file.
3. The new object appears in the Project tab. Click its name to select it.
4. The Properties tab shows the settings of the selected object. Click the tab name to open it.
5. Use the Plot check box in the Properties tab to show or hide the object.
6. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out on the canvas. Pan with the mouse button set in Preferences > General (MMB is one of the choices).
7. Press V to zoom to fit all visible objects.
8. Press F3 to show the full list of shortcuts. See Keyboard Shortcuts.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Getting-Started-3.png — the Project tab with one Gerber object selected and the Properties tab open.

Beginner mode

FlatCAM Evo starts in Beginner mode. The plugin panels show only the main parameters, and some plugins set the hidden parameters to safe values. This is the correct mode for your first boards. The tutorials of this manual use it.

Each panel has a level button next to its title. It shows Beginner in green or Advanced in red. Click it to see all the parameters of that panel. To change the level permanently, use Application Level in Preferences > General.

For the full list of what Beginner mode hides, see User Interface: Beginner and Advanced mode.

Common beginner mistakes

• Use the right file for each layer. Copper, outline and drills are separate files.
• Check the units in the status bar before you generate paths.
• Do not forget to save the project and to save each CNC job as G-code.
• Use a tool diameter that matches the real tool.

See also

• Installation
• Tutorial Single-Sided PCB
• Tutorial Double-Sided PCB
• User Interface
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Glossary
• FAQ and Troubleshooting