Markers

Markers adds corner markers to a Gerber object. The markers show the corners of the board for alignment and inspection. The tool can also create drill holes at the marker centers, create a probe-check Excellon object, and insert the markers into another object.

Where to find it

• Menu: Plugins > Markers.
• Keyboard: Alt+B.
• Toolbar: Markers button in the Plugin toolbar.
• The panel opens in a tab next to Project and Properties. The tab shows the plugin name.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Markers-1.png — the Markers panel with the Source Object, Parameters, Offset, Locations and Selection frames visible.

Quick start

1. Select the Gerber object in Source Object.
2. Set Type to Semi-Cross and Thickness to 0.1 mm (or inch).
3. Set Length to 3.0 mm (or inch).
4. Keep Reference as Edge. Keep the offsets at 0.
5. Check the corners in Locations. Keep Mode as Auto.
6. Click Add Marker.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Markers-2.png — the canvas with the four corner markers around the board.

Parameters

Source Object

Parameter	Description	Default
Source Object	The Gerber object to which the corner markers are added.	—

Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default
Type	The shape of the marker. Choices below.	Semi-Cross
Type = Semi-Cross	An L-shaped marker at each corner.	—
Type = Cross	A full cross at each corner.	—
Thickness	Thickness of the line that makes the corner marker. Range: 0.00001 to 10 (mm or inch).	0.1 mm
Length	Length of the line that makes the corner marker. Range: above 0 to 10000 (mm or inch).	3.0 mm

Offset

Parameter	Description	Default
Reference	The point from which the offsets are measured. Choices below.	Edge
Reference = Edge	The offsets are measured from the edge of the bounding box.	—
Reference = Center	The offsets are measured from the center of the bounding box.	—
Offset X	Offset on the X axis. Range: -10000 to 10000 (mm or inch).	0.0 mm
Offset Y	Offset on the Y axis. Range: -10000 to 10000 (mm or inch).	0.0 mm
Link button	When pressed, Offset Y follows Offset X and is disabled.	Not pressed

Locations

Parameter	Description	Default
Top Left	Adds a marker at the top-left corner.	—
Top Right	Adds a marker at the top-right corner.	—
Bottom Left	Adds a marker at the bottom-left corner.	—
Bottom Right	Adds a marker at the bottom-right corner.	—
Toggle ALL	Checks or unchecks all four corners.	—

Selection

Parameter	Description	Default
Mode	How the marker positions are set. Choices below.	Auto
Mode = Auto	The markers are placed at the checked corners.	—
Mode = Manual	You click the marker positions on the canvas. The Type is set to Cross. The Locations and Offset frames are disabled.	—
Mode = Numeric	You type the coordinates in Coordinates. The Locations and Offset frames are disabled.	—
Big cursor	Uses a big cursor on the canvas. Shown in Manual mode.	Checked
Coordinates	The marker coordinates, as a comma-separated list. Shown in Numeric mode.	—
Add Marker	Adds the markers to the selected object.	—

Drills in Locations

Shown in Advanced mode only.

Parameter	Description	Default
Drill Dia	Diameter of the drill holes. Unit: mm (or inch).	0.5 mm
Create Excellon Object	Creates an Excellon object with a drill hole at the center of each marker.	—

Check in Locations

Shown in Advanced mode only.

Parameter	Description	Default
Create Excellon Object	Creates an Excellon object with a special preprocessor. The spindle does not start. The probe moves to each corner and waits for you. It then moves to the next corner, until the last one.	—

Insert Markers

Shown in Advanced mode only. The section is enabled only when markers exist in an object.

Parameter	Description	Default
Type	The type of the target object. Choices below.	—
Type = Gerber	The markers are inserted into a Gerber object.	—
Type = Geometry	The markers are inserted into a Geometry object.	—
Target object selector	The object that receives the markers. It has no label.	—
Insert Marker	Adds the markers to the target object.	—

Tool Buttons

Button	Description
Reset Tool	Resets the tool parameters to their default values.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Markers-3.png — the Mode combo open with the Coordinates field visible for Numeric.

Advanced

• The level button in the title switches between Beginner and Advanced mode. Beginner hides the Drills in Locations, Check in Locations and Insert Markers sections.
• Link keeps Offset X and Offset Y equal. Change the X value and the Y value follows it.
• Markers are drawn with the line Thickness and Length. A marker is a set of lines in the Gerber, with an aperture of the thickness.
• The drill holes of Create Excellon Object are placed at the marker centers. Their diameter is Drill Dia.
• There is no Tcl command for this tool.

See also

• Fiducials
• Copper Thieving
• Punch Gerber
• Gerber Object
• Excellon Object
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Preferences Plugins