Is there a way to rip a PCB pattern from pictures of a manufactured PCB.

Hallo Paul,

assume the following situation: You have an old electronic magazine, with a DIY project. Unfortunately electronic magazine does not exist any longer and you cannot get the PCB from them, but you want to build this circuit. You have noticed, that PCB is double sided, that both sides are printed in the magazine and you think about, whether there's way to get the PCB without using a CAD program. Then, you can of course fabricate this PCB by yourself, equally which methode you choose, there's absolutely nothing unlegal with it.
But: This is only valid, if the PCB is for your private use only. If you start to fabricate more boards than you need and begin to sell them, then this would be unlegal, because then you would violate the copyright laws.

Following procedure can help:
Scan the published layout with a scanner. Convert file into postscript. Go to a good copyshop and give them your file. If the copyshop is really good, then they have a photoplotter, which allows them to plot your postcript file directly onto a plastic foil. With this foil you can go to a PCB manufacturer. They can fabricate your PCB with this foil. Either, by directly using the foil, or by making a suited foil by themselves.

This methode worked some years ago, when the extense use of professional CAD software was the exception. But maybe, that today PCB manufacturer have said good-bye to this methode. Test it, by making a phone call with them.
You can also have a look into electronic magazines. There you will find several companies or private persons, who are able to fabricate your PCB, with simple methods.

Keep in mind, that such old fashioned photografical methods will only work with simple PCB, using through hole parts. PCBs containing SMD parts should not fabricated by this methode.

If you want to proceed in doing electronics, you should buy a cheap CAD software. There many arround, in the web even free ones.

Kai

PS: Do not show Andy your car ...