In the fabrication of a semiconductor integrated circuit device, a 2D-3D inspection technique for solder printed on a substrate is provided which permits easy preparation of data and easy visual confirmation of a defective portion. In a substrate inspecting step, first, a 3D inspection is performed, followed by execution of 2D inspection, whereby a 2D picked-up image of the portion of a pad determined to be defective can be displayed on a larger scale simultaneously with the end of inspection, thereby providing an environment for efficient visual confirmation of the defect. Further, by subjecting a raw substrate to measurement at the time of preparing inspection data, a relation between an original height measurement reference generated automatically by the inspection system and the height of a pad upper surface is checked, whereby it is possible to measure the height and volume of printed solder based on the pad upper surface.