Importing Custom Images into Eagle

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Contributors: Shawn Hymel
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Method 3: Import BMP

Importing a bitmap into Eagle is probably the easiest method, but the import process draws many rectangles on a separate layer, which can be difficult to modify. It is recommended that you use bitmaps as a template to draw lines or polygons in Eagle.

Warning: Importing bitmaps can slow down computers when preparing Gerbers or panelizing.

Create a Bitmap

Use your favorite drawing program to create a monochrome (black and white) image.

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Save the image as a Monochrome bitmap.

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Import Bitmap

Start Eagle, and either create a new footprint or open your layout where you want to import the graphic.

Run the command:

run import-bmp

Read the pop-up window warning, and click OK. Select your bitmap file, and click Open. Select the black color to be imported, and click OK.

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Scale your image as necessary, and select the desired units (I kept "mil" for this example).

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Click OK and Run script on the pop-up. Your image should be imported on the "200 200bmp" layer as a series of rectangles.

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If you zoom in on the imported image, you'll see that it is actually made up of a series of rectangle shapes. These can slow down your computer and be a pain to work with if you need to make changes in Eagle, but it is a simple and effective way to get an image into Eagle.

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