# Creating PCBs

**URL:** <https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665>\
**Category:** beginners\
**Created:** [January 18, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665 "2026-01-18T14:00:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/1 "2026-01-18T14:00:44Z")

</div>

Good day, Peter, I need your support again.  
I built a GPS watch, and its reception is poor.

I need a larger ground plane = a double-sided PCB that I can drill through and pass wire through, then solder it.

I need a 24.3X24.3 opening in my board—how do you achieve this?  
This would be the PCB (still have to think about the size-…either 80X80 or 70X70 mm).  
Could you please lend me a hand with that?  
Thank you in advance

Regards  
Hans Werner

The part should look similar (more professional), industrial quality!

 ![Bildschirmfoto zu 2026-01-19 11-11-11](https://forum.fritzing.org/uploads/default/original/3X/0/c/0c37da8d0fd7c8e7618a9a6f32c4d84484c3e43d.jpeg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/user_avatar/forum.fritzing.org/raptor7762/32/22620_2.png) [@RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/RAPTOR7762)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:04am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/2 "2026-01-25T02:04:54Z")

</div>

@Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe OK so this would need a custom PCB cutout (which I’ll figure out)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 9:43am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/3 "2026-01-25T09:43:37Z")

</div>

Thanks!  
you wrote you come from the Pacific area?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/user_avatar/forum.fritzing.org/raptor7762/32/22620_2.png) [@RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/RAPTOR7762)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 10:46am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/4 "2026-01-26T10:46:06Z")

</div>

No from Asia… (Nein, aus Asien…)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/5 "2026-01-26T11:46:01Z")

</div>

Asia? It’s big! 😉 I know from Peter that he comes from Canada  
PS… the PCB with the square (4eck)—could it perhaps be designed so that its size could also be changed if needed?

I don’t know the size; I only received a recommendation…  
either 60x60 / 70x70 / 80x80 mm…?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/user_avatar/forum.fritzing.org/raptor7762/32/22620_2.png) [@RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/RAPTOR7762)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/6 "2026-01-26T23:09:38Z")

</div>

Ok for this you can try overlaying multiple holes to form a big square hole (someone tried this before but can’t guarantee that to work. Try searching the forum.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 8:10am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/7 "2026-01-27T08:10:32Z")

</div>

Under which search term? (I guess in English)´?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/user_avatar/forum.fritzing.org/raptor7762/32/22620_2.png) [@RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/RAPTOR7762)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/8 "2026-01-27T12:25:51Z")

</div>

(though preferably english)Yes try using both

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/9 "2026-01-27T13:26:27Z")

</div>

Just enter Hole ?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/10 "2026-01-27T13:31:24Z")

</div>

Which holes? The drilled holes are round!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/11 "2026-01-27T13:39:40Z")

</div>

Wie about the copper fill keepout (Copper fill Stoper)? That creates an area without copper, right? Then I’d have an area without copper—could I cut that out?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/12 "2026-01-27T13:47:52Z")

</div>

So, I took a look at it…  
I created a double-sided PCB with a copper pour keepout (Füllstop).  
The spacing on the inside has the desired 24.3 X 24.3 mm; on the outside it is larger—can the larger outer ring be used as a solder pad?  
Then is it best to use phenolic paper (Hartpapier) and maybe saw it out by hand yourself?

 ![Bildschirmfoto zu 2026-01-27 14-44-23](https://forum.fritzing.org/uploads/default/original/3X/5/6/562ec1c578527d8f1b834a7c1e19a00fb32f10bb.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KjellM](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/a3d4f5/32.png) [@KjellM](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/KjellM)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 11:24am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/13 "2026-01-28T11:24:53Z")

</div>

A cutout tool for Fritzing (to draw rectangular or other cutout shapes) is still on our wishlist.

Until then, you can draw the shape in an SVG, use the oposite orentation for the cutout.

Like so:

```auto
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 70 70" width="70mm" height="70mm">
  <path d="M 0,0 L 70,0 L 70,70 L 0,70 Z M 22.85,22.85 L 22.85,47.15 L 47.15,47.15 L 47.15,22.85 Z" 
        fill="currentColor" 
        fill-rule="evenodd"/>
</svg>

```

The complete SVG then looks like this (with silkscreen outline):

```auto
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 70 70" width="70mm" height="70mm">

<g id="board">
  
  <path id="boardoutline" d="M 0,0 L 70,0 L 70,70 L 0,70 Z M 22.85,22.85 L 22.85,47.15 L 47.15,47.15 L 47.15,22.85 Z" 
      fill="#ffffff"
      fill-opacity="0.5"
      fill-rule="evenodd"/>

 <rect id="silkscreen" x="0" y="0" width="70" height="70" 
        fill="none" stroke="white" stroke-width="0.2"/>

  <rect id="silkscreen0" x="0" y="0" width="70" height="70" 
        fill="none" stroke="white" stroke-width="0.2"/>
</g>
</svg>

```

If you save this into an .svg file, you should be able to use it as a board in Fritzing,  
see “load image file” for the PCB in the Inspector

 ![image](https://forum.fritzing.org/uploads/default/original/3X/d/b/dbe811f91fc03912f9fd883c26a7bbcb4bb5ae22.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 11:48am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/14 "2026-01-28T11:48:21Z")

</div>

SUPER! AWESOME!!! but I only have program code… the SVG is missing.  
What I still miss in Fritzing is when I optimize components in the schematic…  
e.g., resize a resistor, adjust display settings for what Fritzing should show, etc…  
when I then go to the PCB view I have to set everything up again, that’s annoying and slows me down… actually just minor details, but really helpful.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/15 "2026-01-28T16:08:16Z")

</div>

I have Linux—which program should I use?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![real-bombinho](https://forum.fritzing.org/user_avatar/forum.fritzing.org/real-bombinho/32/15757_2.png) [@real-bombinho](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/real-bombinho)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/16 "2026-01-31T01:17:24Z")

</div>

> [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](#):
>
> the SVG is missing

Hello Hans-Werner

![PCBshape](https://forum.fritzing.org/uploads/default/original/3X/f/e/fe76d6af73f7759f3193e86827398b5d40b8dcf3.svg)

Remember to set the board size to 70mm.

Also, if you choose a different size, the cutout size will change as well. You will then need a modified SVG.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 7:57am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/17 "2026-01-31T07:57:35Z")

</div>

? how do I convert this into an SVG file?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/user_avatar/forum.fritzing.org/raptor7762/32/22620_2.png) [@RAPTOR7762](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/RAPTOR7762)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 7:59am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/18 "2026-01-31T07:59:58Z")

</div>

@Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe From his image

[PCBshape.svg](https://forum.fritzing.org/uploads/short-url/Aj5T3FBPBsRZDBfjAAEjGrgPxe3.svg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 8:08am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/19 "2026-01-31T08:08:46Z")

</div>

Hm? Well, in principle VISUALLY already wonderful, but a little shrunk, 🤔  
but otherwise great..!.. 70X70mm? not even 20X20mm

 ![Bildschirmfoto zu 2026-01-31 09-08-10](https://forum.fritzing.org/uploads/default/original/3X/0/0/0043518fc8469e1d414f0c155d1a9b3efee5e96b.jpeg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Hans\_Werner\_Atzenhoe](https://forum.fritzing.org/u/Hans_Werner_Atzenhoe)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 8:33am UTC](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665/20 "2026-01-31T08:33:14Z")

</div>

Found my mistake!!!  
All clear (who can read has power!!!) Awesome—many thanks for your efforts  
Nice work!!

I’ll post the finished NEO-6M ground plane here for download  
so you can adapt it for yourself…  
It boosts the signal indoors (at least for me!)

Have a nice weekend…

[Next page](https://forum.fritzing.org/t/platinen-erstellen/33665.md?page=2)