[Gerbv-devel] Using libgerbv and gerbv to auto panelise imported gerber files

[David J S B. <da...@dj...>]

Hi,
I would like to use Gerbv to panellise up to 16 different pcb's onto a 
panel with a fixed board area. I am a technician at a UK university and 
would like to be able take the Gerber files submitted by students and 
collect/merge them together/panellise them. The panel is then going to 
be produced on an LPKF S62 pcb router.
Initially I would like to use Gerbv to auto panellise 16 fixed sized 
pcb's onto a panel with a fixed working area (these boards are designed 
by us and given to the students). At the moment I panellise the boards 
MANUALLY using pcbnew in Kicad (all the boards are designed using 
Kicad). I am able to fit 16 of these pcb's into the fixed panel area  (4 
rows of 4). I know Gerbv can merge gerber files together. However each 
individual gerber file has to be offset manually. I would like to be 
able to automate the placement. I would like to experiment with patching 
and compiling a local copy of Gerbv and using libgerbv to add this 
functionality.
Is there any sample code I can use to get me started on this.What is the 
easiest and quickest way to start compiling my own copy of Gerbv and how 
do I compile any code that uses libgerbv? Do I compile this code 
separately? I'm not sure where to begin. I see this as a task based 
learning exercise and I hope someone can help me out. If you need any 
more information please contact me off list or on here if it's appropriate.
Thank you.

David.

PS I am using Linux Mint 13 (maya) and Windows XP.