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Why does FAB 3000 create additional DCodes on my panel, that are not part of my original gerber file?

In general, there are two situations that FAB 3000 will modify or use a different DCode number. 

(1)  If you have loaded multiple gerber files that reference the same DCode number but define different shapes, then FAB It! will trans-code them.  This is a common situation for all CAM software, when perhaps you are loading more than one gerber file, and each gerber file references the same DCode number but has a different shape or size defined. 

For example if gerber file #1 has defined D23 defined as a Circle 25 mil diameter, and then when loading gerber file #2 it also has D23 defined, but it calls out for a Circle 35 mil; the CAM software must find a new empty Dcode # (say D55) and place the 35 mil circle there & reference D55 now for import; this is called transcoding.


(2)  Performing editing commands (like "Rotate") on a pad.  Let's say you want to rotate a solder paste layer that has rectangle flashes of 10 mil width by 50 mil height.  If you rotate it by 90 degrees, now the rectangle must be 50 mil width by 10 mil height.  CAM software must now create a new Dcode # (say D56), and place a 50 X 10 mil rectangle there, the dcode number referenced by those rectangle flashes must also be changed to reflect the new orientated shape. 


FAB 3000 easily manages these complex dcode transcoding of gerber files and provides a stable gerber output for even in the most complex designs.
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