How to export centroid files (XY/pick and place files) for PCB assembly?
Centroid files are also known as pick & place files, XY files, component placement files, SMT files. These are required for HQ NextPCB PCB Assembly orders except if all the parts on the board are through-hole parts. Here we made some gifs to show how to export these files from common PCB CAD software:
KiCad
From the PCB Editor, go to File -> Fabrication Outputs...
The centroid files should have the extension .pos. Package these and other assembly information into a .zip or .rar file and upload them on the NextPCB PCBA order page when you are ready to place an order.
The centroid file looks like this when opened in a text editor:
Autodesk Eagle
In Board view, go to File -> Export -> Mount SMD. Eagle will export separate files for the top and bottom sides by default for double-sided boards. First, save the top file (.mnt), then the bottom (.mnb) centroid file, and package both into a single .zip or .rar file with any other assembly information. You can now upload these onto the NextPCB PCBA order page when you are ready to place an order.
Altium Designer
Coming soon
Allegro/OrCad
Coming soon
DipTrace
Coming soon
DesignSpark
Coming soon
EasyEDA
Open the PCB file and go to File -> Export Pick and Place File... Your browser will then download the file.
EasyEDA centroid data looks like this when opened in a text editor:
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