adeed manual processing using UVtools

Readme.md

@@ -6,19 +6,51 @@ KiCad PCB layers need to be converted to `.pm4n` files for direct UV exposure on
 
 ---
 
-## Setup
+## Preparation
 
-### 1. KiCad: Set your design grid
+### KiCad: Set your design grid
 In KiCad's PCB editor, go to `Preferences → Preferences → PCB Editor → Grids` and add a custom grid of 0.017 mm. This ensures trace edges land on pixel boundaries and avoids the sub-pixel rounding that causes the ±1px size error people see with arbitrary grids.
 
-### 2. Create the `Dummy.pm4n` file
+### Create the `Dummy.pm4n` file
 
-
-Open **CHITUBOX Basic** slicer (or any other slicer that works for your resin printer), select printer **Anycubic Photon Mono 4**, slice any tiny STL (e.g.: 1×1×0.05 mm box), and save as `Dummy.pm4n` in the same directory as `export.sh`.
+Open **CHITUBOX Basic** slicer (or any other slicer that works for your resin printer), select printer **Anycubic Photon Mono 4**, slice any tiny STL (e.g.: 1×1×0.05 mm box), and save as `Dummy.pm4n`.
 
 This file is reused for every job — it carries the correct LCD resolution metadata.
 
-### 3. Install dependencies
+## Manual processing
+
+`UVtools` has a dedicated `PCB Exposure` tool that converts a Gerber file to a pixel-perfect image given your printer's LCD resolution, specifically for exposing copper traces.
+
+### 1. Install `UVtools`
+
+```bash
+sudo apt-get install -y curl
+sudo bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sn4k3/UVtools/master/Scripts/install-dependencies.sh)"
+```
+
+### 2. Run `UVtools`
+
+```bash
+cd UVtools
+./UVtools
+```
+
+### 3. Export `.pm4n` file from Gerber
+
+- You export Gerber from KiCad (not SVG), which natively gives you positive/negative control per layer.
+- You open the `Dummy.pm4n` file in `UVtools` (a minimal valid `.pm4n` sliced by `Chitubox` or `Photon Workshop` with any tiny model), then use `Tools → PCB Exposure` to inject your Gerber layer e.g.: `Flow_Controller_Panel-Front.gbr`.
+- You control `inversion`, `invert` and the `exposure time` at the bottom of the `PCB exposure` dialog.
+- You save it as e.g.: `Flow_Controller_Panel-Front.pm4n` file and print it.
+
+![PCB_Exposure_Dialog_1](images/PCB_Exposure_Dialog_1.png)
+
+![PCB_Exposure_Dialog_2](images/PCB_Exposure_Dialog_2.png)
+
+---
+
+## Automated script
+
+### 1. Install dependencies
 
 ```bash
 python3 -m venv .venv
@@ -28,7 +60,7 @@ pip install pygerber Pillow numpy
 
 Or activate the `venv` once and put `source .venv/bin/activate` in your shell profile.
 
-### 4. Export multiple layers (e.g. copper + soldermask + silkscreen)
+### 2. Export multiple layers (e.g. copper + soldermask + silkscreen)
 
 ```bash
 ./export.sh \
@@ -59,19 +91,18 @@ output/pm4n/Flow_Controller_Panel-F_Silkscreen.preview.png
 output/pm4n/Flow_Controller_Panel-B_Silkscreen.pm4n
 output/pm4n/Flow_Controller_Panel-B_Silkscreen.preview.png
 ```
-#### 4.1. Check the layer preview
+#### 2.1. Check the layer preview
 Check the `output/pm4n/Flow_Controller_Panel-*.preview.png` images — traces should appear black on white background.
 - background = UV exposed = resist removed = etched away
 - traces = dark = resist kept = copper stays
 
-#### 4.2. Check the printer exposure
+#### 2.2. Check the printer exposure
 Open the `.pm4n` in `Chitubox Basic` slicer to visually verify before printing.
 
-#### 4.3. Adjust exposure
+#### 2.3. Adjust exposure
 Start with `--exposure 60` and bracket from there — Bungard presensitized at 405nm typically lands between 30–120s depending on board vintage and storage.
 
-
-#### Export single layer (e.g. copper)
+### 3. Export single layer (e.g. copper)
 
 Export the front layer as gerber
 ```bash