BMP2PCB dowlnoad - help needed

BMP2PCB help

Hello,
i have been trying to download this program but am unable to do so, would appreciate if someone who has can email me ali_zaidi at hotmail
i intend to trace the layout from the scanned image...
any pointers in that direction ?

here is one from Mr. Fincato
Converts a black and white bmp to protel pcb.

thanks man i will check it out,
basically what i m doing is tracing tracks from a scanned image in PS , making bottom track layer, pad layer, top track layer sond solder mask layer...so if isave them as bmp how can i open them in protel so they open as track and pads etc...thanks a bunch

First of all Mr. Fincato's converter converts B/W .bmp pictures to Protel .pcb format.
Input BMP MUST have 1000 dpi resolution as the software produces a lot of traces 1 mil (0.001") wide.

BMP files do not have layers. so there is no way that you can obtain a pcb with pads, traces, components etc. You end with a bunch of horizontal 1 mil traces, and the rest is on you.

Reverse engineering is not so easy, you know

Personally, I did some 200 x 300 mm boards reversed to protel format (and some even bigger boards).

Patience, good eyes, ... is all that is necessary to produce quality final result.

Zasto ..yeah i am sure its not that easy i am really a noob to all this, i have access to protel dxp at a friends place and i intend to learn...i was just exploring the possibilities .
so if i trace in photoshop and convert that to vector images..or use imag2 cad of all the layers (tracks, pads etc) cant those be opened in protel as different layers? then if i can place footprints/components on pads etc...maybe with patience and dexterity with the software its can be reversed engineered back to schematics.
your reply has been/will be a food for thought.
would you recommend any basic reading or guide for getting a hang of protel.
thanks again

badmatahfingha said:

Zasto ..yeah i am sure its not that easy i am really a noob to all this, i have access to protel dxp at a friends place and i intend to learn...i was just exploring the possibilities .
so if i trace in photoshop and convert that to vector images..or use imag2 cad of all the layers (tracks, pads etc) cant those be opened in protel as different layers? then if i can place footprints/components on pads etc...maybe with patience and dexterity with the software its can be reversed engineered back to schematics.
your reply has been/will be a food for thought.
would you recommend any basic reading or guide for getting a hang of protel.
thanks again

Click to expand...

You haven't read carefully my post.
Let me put it this way:

Protel a.k.a. Altium is not a classic vector drawing software. It has layers, but very specific: Top, Bottom, Multi, Mechanical, Keepout... that hold specific design primitives for a particular layer of the design (e.g. Mechanical layer although has lines, they are not treated as conductors,....

If you want to 'play' do the following:
* scan an pcb stripped of components (preferably double sided),
* import the scanned images in some bitmap editing software,
* clean up the images
* convert the image to black/white
* CHANGE RESOLUTION of the image to 1000 dpi
* save as 1 bit BMP
* run the converter to convert to .pcb
* import that .pcb in protel (on an mechanical layer)
* start placing components, vias, tracks on appropriate layers

that is essentially it.

Appreciate that zasto!
its all sinking in, basically all i initially wanted was to have orignal size image of the tracks open in protel as a refrence to lay down components and tracks.
i have to wait till morning to play with protel .
can protel open a gerber file of tracks ?
i a hoping in due time it will all make sense to me
thanks again

Protel (Altium Designer) can open gerber files. That's native to Protel.