QRCode

QRCode adds a QR code with your text or link to a Gerber object. The QR code can be added to the source object or created as a new Gerber object. The tool also exports the QR code as an SVG or PNG image file.

Where to find it

• Menu: Plugins > QRCode.
• Keyboard: Alt+Q.
• The panel opens in a tab next to Project and Properties. The tab shows the plugin name.

Screenshot placeholder: images/QRCode-1.png — the QRCode panel with the QRCode Data field, the Parameters frame and the Insert QRCode button visible.

Quick start

1. Select the Gerber object in Source Object.
2. Type the text or link in QRCode Data.
3. Keep Version at 1 and Auto checked. Keep Error correction as L.
4. Set Box Size to the module size. One box size unit is 0.1 mm (or inch).
5. Keep Polarity as Positive.
6. Keep Placement as Click. Click Insert QRCode, then click the place on the canvas.

Screenshot placeholder: images/QRCode-2.png — the canvas with the QR code placed on the Gerber object and the preview outline under the cursor.

Parameters

Source Object

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
Source Object	The Gerber object to which the QR code is added.	—

QRCode Data

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
QRCode Data	The text to encode. Alphanumeric text. Variables are replaced at insert time (see Variables).	Empty

Parameters

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
Version	The QR version from 1 (21 by 21 boxes) to 40 (177 by 177 boxes). The version is fixed unless Auto is checked. The data must fit in the version. Range: 1 to 40.	1
Auto	Uses the smallest version that fits the data.	Checked
Info line	Read-only. The version, the modules count and the total size of the QR code.	—
Error correction = L	Up to 7 % of the code can be corrected.	Selected by default
Error correction = M	Up to 15 % of the code can be corrected.	—
Error correction = Q	Up to 25 % of the code can be corrected.	—
Error correction = H	Up to 30 % of the code can be corrected.	—
Mask pattern	The QR mask pattern. Shown in Advanced mode. Choices below.	Auto
Mask pattern = Auto	The encoder chooses the best pattern.	Selected by default
Mask pattern = 0 to 7	A fixed mask pattern.	—
Box Size	The size of one box (module) of the code. One unit is 0.1 mm (or inch). Range: 1 to 9999.	3
Module size field	Read-only. The size of one box in mm (or inch in an inch project).	—
Border Size	How many boxes thick the border is. The standard is 4. A value below 4 breaks the quiet zone. Range: 0 to 9999.	4
Warning line	Shows a warning when the module is smaller than 0.15 mm (or inch), or when the border is below 4 boxes.	Hidden
Polarity = Negative	The squares are clear. Use it for a copper layer.	—
Polarity = Positive	The squares are opaque. Use it for a silkscreen layer.	Selected by default
Bounding Box = Rounded	The empty space around the code has rounded corners.	—
Bounding Box = Square	The empty space around the code has square corners.	Selected by default
Rotation = 0, 90, 180, 270	Rotates the code counter-clockwise, in degrees. Shown in Advanced mode.	0
Mirror	Mirrors the code about the vertical axis. Use it for the bottom layer. Shown in Advanced mode.	Unchecked
Clearance	The clearance around the code, in mm (or inch in an inch project). Zero means the Border Size in boxes. Shown in Advanced mode. Range: 0 to 10000.	0.0

Placement

Shown in Advanced mode only.

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
Mode = Click	You click the destination on the canvas.	Selected by default
Mode = Coordinates	The code is inserted at the X and Y given below.	—
X	The X coordinate of the placement point. Range: -10000 to 10000 (mm or inch). Used in Coordinates mode.	—
Y	The Y coordinate of the placement point. Range: -10000 to 10000 (mm or inch). Used in Coordinates mode.	—
Anchor = BL	The bottom-left point of the code (clearance included) goes to the placement point.	Selected by default
Anchor = TL	The top-left point goes to the placement point.	—
Anchor = BR	The bottom-right point goes to the placement point.	—
Anchor = TR	The top-right point goes to the placement point.	—
Anchor = C	The center of the code goes to the placement point.	—
Keep placing	Stays armed after each click and increases the serial number. Right-click or Escape ends the placement.	Unchecked

Variables

Shown in Advanced mode only. Variables in QRCode Data are replaced when the code is inserted.

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
{date}	The date in the form yyyy-mm-dd.	—
{time}	The time in the form HH:MM.	—
{project}	The name of the project.	—
{object}	The name of the target Gerber object.	—
{serial}	The serial number.	—
Serial start	The first serial number. Range: 0 to 999999999.	1
Serial step	The increase of the serial number after each code. Range: 1 to 999999.	1
Serial width	The serial number is padded with zeros to this width. Range: 0 to 20.	0

Output

Shown in Advanced mode only.

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
Mode = Add to source	The QR code is added to the source Gerber object.	Selected by default
Mode = New object	The QR code is created as a new Gerber object.	—
Soldermask opening	Also cuts the clearance opening of the code in the Gerber below. Use it as a soldermask companion.	—
Mask Gerber	The Gerber object that receives the soldermask opening.	—

Preview

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
Preview area	Shows the outline of the code. Shown in Advanced mode.	—

Export QRCode

Shown in Advanced mode only.

Parameter	Description	Selected by default
Fill Color	The color of the squares. Type a color or pick one with the color button.	#000000
Transparent back color	The background is transparent. The Back Color field is disabled.	—
Back Color	The background color. Type a color or pick one with the color button.	#FFFFFF
Export QRCode SVG	Saves the code as an SVG file.	—
Export QRCode PNG	Saves the code as a PNG image file.	—

Buttons

Button	Description
Insert QRCode	Creates the QR code. Shown in both modes.
Reset Tool	Resets the tool parameters to their default values.

Screenshot placeholder: images/QRCode-3.png — the Placement, Variables and Output frames expanded in Advanced mode.

Advanced

• The level button in the title switches between Beginner and Advanced mode. Beginner hides the Placement, Variables, Output, Preview and Export sections, and the advanced parameters.
• The module size is Box Size divided by 10, in mm. In inch units the size is converted to inch.
• The preview draws the outline of the code. If the code has more parts than the preference tools_qrcode_sel_limit (default 330), the preview draws only the bounding box.
• The warning for a small module uses the preference tools_qrcode_min_module (default 0.15 mm).
• The clearance of the code is Clearance when it is above zero. When it is zero, it is the Border Size multiplied by the module size.
• Use the Mirror option for a code on the bottom side.
• The command-line version is qrcode. See Tcl Command Reference.

See also

• Gerber Object
• Invert Gerber
• Copper Thieving
• Tcl Command Reference
• Tcl Scripting
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Preferences Plugins