PCB Wizard

The PCB Wizard imports a drill file that comes with a separate INF file. The INF file holds the tool table, and the format and units of the drill file. The wizard merges both into one Excellon object. Use it when a drill file from a PCB design program does not load on its own.

Where to find it

• Menu: File > Import > PcbWizard Import.
• Keyboard: none.

Quick start

1. Choose File > Import > PcbWizard Import.
2. Click Open next to Excellon file. Select the drill file, usually with a .DRL extension.
3. Click Open next to INF file. Select the INF file.
4. The Tool table shows the tool numbers and diameters from the INF file. The format fields fill in from the INF file.
5. Check Int. digits, Frac. digits, Zeros supp. and Units. Change them if the drill file uses other values.
6. Click Import Excellon. The new Excellon object appears in the Project tree.

Screenshot placeholder: images/PCB-Wizard-1.png — the PcbWizard Import panel with both files loaded, the Tool table filled and the Excellon Format section.

Parameters

Load files

Parameter	Description	Default
Excellon file (Open)	Opens the drill file. Usually .DRL.	—
INF file (Open)	Opens the INF file that holds the tool table.	—
Tool table (#Tool, Diameter)	Lists the tools from the INF file. Read only. Shown after the INF file loads. The diameters are in the file units.	Hidden

Excellon Format

Parameter	Description	Default
Int. digits	The number of digits of the integral part of the coordinates. Range 1 to 10.	2
Frac. digits	The number of digits of the fractional part of the coordinates. Range 1 to 10.	4
Zeros supp. (LZ / TZ / No Suppression)	The zero suppression of the coordinates. See the list below.	LZ
Units (Inch / mm)	The units of the coordinates and tool diameters. Changing it sets the digit defaults: Inch gives 2 and 4, mm gives 3 and 3.	Inch
Import Excellon	Builds the drill file with the format and tool table, then creates the Excellon object. Enabled after both files load.	—

Zeros supp. (radio values):

• LZ: Leading zeros are kept.
• TZ: Trailing zeros are kept.
• No Suppression: No zeros are suppressed.

Advanced

• INF file content. The INF file must hold a tool table, with lines like T01 0.8, and a format line. Without a tool table, the wizard shows an error. The error says to open the drill file through File > Open > Excellon and to set the drill diameters by hand.
• What the import builds. The wizard adds a header after each M48 line of the drill file. The header has the format, the units, the zero suppression and the tool table from the INF file. The drill file is then parsed as a normal Excellon file.
• Values at import. The format fields are read again at each Import Excellon click. You can correct them after both files load, and the new values are used.
• Object name. The new object takes the name of the drill file.
• Errors. A file that is not an Excellon file gives "This is not Excellon file." A drill file with no geometry gives "No geometry found in file."
• Tcl. There is no Tcl command for this tool.

See also

• Importing Files — the other file formats.
• Excellon Object — the object that the wizard creates.
• Excellon Editor — correct the drill diameters by hand.
• Drilling
• FAQ and Troubleshooting