If you are a beginner and need a PCB with custom shape... and need it in the shortest time as possible... OR if you don't want to spent a lot of time learning how to work with advanced softwares, because you make eventually a board or other... this tutorial is for you!

We will use two very friendly softwares:

1. Inkscape: is a free and open-source vector graphics editor. We will use it to make the PCB shape, which will later be used in Fritzing to design the PCB.

2. Fritzing: also free and open-source, is the tool we will use to design the PCB (arrange the parts, do the routing, export the files to produce the PCB).

A few notes before starting...

1. For this tutorial, I created PCBrain, which is a brain-shaped PCB, based on my YouTube channel logo.

My YouTube channel: youtube.com/mechdickel

2. The focus of this tutorial is to show you how custom shapes can be made easily... so, forget the simplicity of the PCB itself... it's more artistic and just an example of a shape.

3. Despite being easy to use software, Fritzing is not limited to simple designs ... you can also create more complex PCBs.

Here we go!

Step 1: Creating a custom shape with Inkscape

Inkscape has many tools for creating shapes, for example: ellipses, arcs, polygons, stars, spirals, freehand lines. You can also import any image and use it as a "base" for your drawing (as I did in PCBrain).

After completing the drawing, follow the steps below to get a file with the required attributes.

1.1. Edit > Preferences > Behavior > Simplification threshold > 0,0001

1.2. Path > Simplify

(Note that nothing has changed in the drawing. But if you do not, the shape will be distorted and the manufacturer will not be able to produce the PCB. Therefore, do not skip this step.)

1.3. Add a sublayer named as "board" with a copy of the drawing/shape.

1.4. Add a sublayer named as "silkscreen" also with a copy of the drawing/shape.

(The "silkscreen" sublayer should stay above "board" sublayer. Delete the drawing in the "main" layer - for "main" layer I mean the "Layer 1", that inkscape had already in a new document.)

1.5. Fill and Stroke for "silkscreen": no fill, white stroke, width of the stroke 0,008 inch.

1.6. Fill and Stroke for "board": green fill, no stroke.

1.7. Select both drawings and go to "Align and Distribute", and "Center on vertical axis", then "Center on horizontal axis".

1.8. File > Document Properties > Resize page to content > Resize page to drawing or selection

1.9. With the XML Editor, change the ID of the "board" layer naming it as "board".

1.10. Change the ID of the "silkscreen" layer naming it as "silkscreen".

1.11. Change the ID of the path in the "board" layer, naming it as "boardoutline".

1.12. Save the file as Plain SVG (File > Save As...).

Step 2: Designing the PCB with Fritzing

As I said before, Fritzing is very easy to use even for beginners... but of course minimal knowledge of electronics is required.

Fritzing has several parts that you can drag and drop into the PCB. You also have access for many Sparkfun product layouts, Arduino boards and shields layouts.

Use the shape made with Inkscape loading the image file.

After your Fritzing project is completed, follow the steps below.

2.1. Routing > Design Rules Check (DRC)

2.2. File > Export > for Production > Extended Gerber (RS-274X)

Now you have the files ready to send to manufacture and will have a professional looking PCB created by you!