"Plot on All Layers" does not work as expected
Description
First of all, thanks for adding color options for exporting (Plot) PCB layers as PDFs. Unfortunately, there is no option for also exporting the background color, like we can do while exporting the schematic. So adding that option would be beneficial since light-colored layers will have bad readability/visibility on a white PDF background.
But the problem I want to report is different. Since there was no background color option, I thought I could add a dark-colored shape on one of the unused layers (behind all active layers) and use the "Plot on All Layers" option to place the dark-filled shape behind the individual layers such as the copper layers. But that doesn't seem to work. No matter where I place the layer, in this case, "User.9", the exported PDF shows the new shape on top of all other layers, contrary to my assumption.
The below screenshot shows my export configuration.
After exporting, if I open the Front copper layer PDF, it looks like the below.
I can still click on the footprints on the copper layer, but everything is behind that shape.
Steps to reproduce
- Create a filled shape on any unused user layers.
- Use the Plot option to export the PCB layers as PDF.
- During export, select which layer you want to plot on all layers from the "Plot on All Layers" window. In this case, select the layer with the filled shape. You can try changing the z-index of the layer but it has no effect.
- Export the layers as PDFs.
- Open and check any other layers to see the filled shape on top of the contents, regardless of the z-index position.
KiCad Version
Application: KiCad PCB Editor x64 on x64
Version: 7.0.2, release build
Libraries:
wxWidgets 3.2.2
FreeType 2.12.1
HarfBuzz 6.0.0
FontConfig 2.14.1
libcurl/7.88.1-DEV Schannel zlib/1.2.13
Platform: Windows 11 (build 22624), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
Build Info:
Date: Apr 15 2023 19:18:27
wxWidgets: 3.2.2 (wchar_t,wx containers)
Boost: 1.81.0
OCC: 7.6.3
Curl: 7.88.1-DEV
ngspice: 40
Compiler: Visual C++ 1934 without C++ ABI
Build settings:
KICAD_SPICE=ON