Learn Guides > Merge Jobs

The purpose of this section is to introduce you to the unique and powerful merging features of Fab3000

Hierarchy Concepts:

Fab3000 is one of the only CAM software tools that can natively implement gerber data in a hierarchal fashion. Initially this concept of using hierarchy with Gerber files can seem confusing, but give this "Quick-Start" a chance and hopefully everything will become clearer. Note: If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime: Numerical Innovations Support Team

Essentially Fab3000 consists of two hierarchal resources: Job, and Insert:

Job - A single design (i.e. PCB) with its own unique layers, dcodes, and other attributes. (All data imported and 90% of editing are handled at the Job level). Note: In ODB++ terms, a Step is the same thing as a Job (in Fab3000)

Insert - An insert represents the inclusion of one job as a part of another. The job containing the insert is the parent job, and the job that is inserted into the parent is the child job. Using this parent/child relationship, you can continue the hierarchy for as many levels as needed to express a complete design.

Create New Job, and Import Gerbers/Drill:

Creating a New Job:

1. Goto Menu: File | New | Job...

2. Select a name for the new Job. (Make it a name that is descriptive. Example: Part12212, etc.)

Once the new job is created, you will see a blank Job Editor screen.

Loading Gerber(s) & Drill(s) Automatically into the active Job:

3. Goto menu: File | Import | AutoLoad...

Select the folder which contains the gerber and drill files (for a single job).

4. Click the Next button

At this point there will be a slight delay while Fab3000 scans the directory to determine whether each file is either a Gerber or Aperture list. Then the "File Description" page is displayed. This page gives you the opportunity to manually define the aperture list to use (for RS-274D only), Layer Types, and import checkbox for each gerber layer.

5. Once loading is complete, you will be able to view the imported data. If Fab3000 encounters any errors or warnings during AutoLoad, they will be displayed here.

If Fab3000 encounters any errors or warnings during import, they will be displayed here.

Note: Click here for more information about Using AutoLoad

Note: If you have your Gerbers and Drills inside a compressed file (ie. *.zip, *.tar), use the feature Importing Zip (Compressed File)

If you have more than one design, and you would like to eventually merge them, please Repeat the above steps.

Note: Keep in mind, that each of your designs requires a separate Job.

Note: 90% of all typical CAM editing (such as DRC check, Draw 2 Flash, Trim Silkscreen, etc.) is performed here - at the Job level.