1. Gerber Pcb Design
2. Create Gerber Files
3. How To Open Pcb Gerber File Download
4. Gerber File Types
5. How To Open Pcb Gerber File Extension
6. Gerber Pcb Software Free
7. How To Open Pcb Gerber Files

The Gerber format is an open ASCII vector format for printed circuit board (PCB) designs. It is the de facto standard used by PCB industry software to describe the printed circuit board images: copper layers, solder mask, legend, drill data, etc. The official website contains the specification, test files, notes and the Reference Gerber Viewer to support users and especially developers of.

1. Altium Gerber Files

RS-274-X Gerber file format is a defacto data sharing standard for PCB manufacturing. This is basically a printer or plotter language which is used for PCB CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) data generation. Almost everyone who uses Altium Designer software for PCB design, either hobbyist or commercial designer, may have used this feature. It is actually a 2D ASCII file format.

DesignSpark PCB provides a 'Manufacturing Plots' feature to allow you to produce Gerber files and use any board manufacturer you wish. Before producing the Gerber files ensure you have completed all the design checks of your PCB layout to ensure you do not have errors or unexpected cost penalties from selecting nonstandard track widths or spacing or other premium features. Select File - Plot from the menu to open the gerber generation tool. At the top of the pop-up window, you’ll see the folder location for your files, click browse. Make sure you’re in your project directory. Make a new folder called Gerbers, select it and click select folder.

Gerber file format is evolved from applications where it is used to re-create images or graphics i.e., printers and plotters industry. In the same way it is used in electronics hardware industry to print PCB tracks, vias, pads, text, holes, clearances and all information which is contained in a *.PcbDoc design file. The Altium Designer software tool has a feature to create and gerbtool option to verify data as well.

Like other softwares outputs the Altium Designer gerber file can be divided into four subparts:

• Configuration Parameters
• Aperture Definitions
• Drawing Commands
• X/Y Coordinates

Each file extension denotes a specific layer such as:

Top Layer => *.gtl

Bottom Layer => *.gbl

Keepout Layer => *.gko

TopOverlay Layer => *.gto

BottomOverlay Layer => *.gbo etc.

2. Generating Gerbers in Altium Designer

Add layer stackup to any of the mechanical or other suitable layer.

Add other information like manufacturing notes, dimensions, cutouts etc., before generating gerber files.

In Altium Designer it is very easy to setup Gerber Files creation setup. It is done by two ways:

Generate through File>Fabrication Outputs> Gerber Files

It opens Gerber Setup dialogue box.

In Gerber setup dialogue box Set file producing unit system.

In layers pane add layers to be re-produced in gerber format.

In drill drawing pane click plot all used layer pairs on both of the boxes.

Set apertures box.

Set advanced parameters in advanced pane or otherwise keep default settings.

Click ok , it generates the gerber outputs in the project folder.

On same method NC drill files are created i.e., File>Fabrication Outputs> NC Drill Files and then adopt the same steps as above.

Or in other way it can be generated by following steps:

Output Job File to project > Fabrication Outputs> Gerber Files and then set path for files.

Double click 'Gerber Files' it will open Gerber setup. Use the same steps as above and click ok.

Enable output generate option and set target folder location.

Clock Run or double click over generates content. The gerber file outputs will be generated.

Gerber Pcb Design

Figure 1: Sample PCB Design file

In figure 1 different layers names are shown in their respective layer. The same layers can be viewed in the final view Figure 5 as Gerber output generated.

Figure 2: Gerbers Settings Dialogue Box

Figure 3: Gerber Setup Dialogue Box opens

Figure 4: Gerber Files generated and viewed in CAMTastic Bottom Layer view

Figure 5: CamTastic complete PCB view

3. What is Needed by Manufacturer

In a gerber file following layers and information should be added:

1. 1- Enable all signal layers which have been used for routing in PCB design or those which have electrical signals routing should be enabled to re-produce in gerber format.
2. 2- Enable all plane layers which are solid copper and distribute power to the circuit on PCB. These are printed as negative image of layer.
3. 3- Enable Keepout layer, it is usually electrical boundary of the board. The keepout can also be asked to manufacturer for cutting boundary.
4. 4- Enable required mechanical layers in gerber setup. A mechanical layer does not have any electrical information like in signal layer or plane layers. However, they can have some information about mechanical parameter like PCB cutting or, 3D PCB footprints information, assembly and fixing in enclosures etc.
5. 5- Enable Top Overlay and Bottom Overlays which have information of components designators and PCB name, number, nomenclature debug information and test signal details etc.
6. 6- Dimensional Information: PCB Dimensions information should be added on top overlay or mechanical or keepout layer of PCB design file before generating gerber files.
7. 7- Layer PCB stackup: Before generating gerber files add layer stackup information in any enabled mechanical layers so that manufacturer can use information about PCB material such as base material thickness, pre-preg thickness type etc.
8. 8- Preferably produce time and date stamped Gerber files so that they would be back traced for any query.
9. 9- Recheck and verify the file types using any gerber viewer software tool.
10. 10-If found accurate and forward to the manufacturer.

Figure 6: Gerber files enable and disable and extensions

Figure 6 shows the gerber files produced by Altium Designer software, produced time, type of layer etc.

3. Summary:

Gerber format is RS-274-X 2D ASCII file format. The gerber file format is a defacto standard of interface between a PCB Design engineer and manufacturer. It includes all conductive, mechanical, text and keepout layers information of a PCB design alongwith necessary notes for manufacturing.

The Altium Designer software produces RS-274-X format Gerber files by different methods. The latest software and updates about files generation are available on Altium ®. In this tutorial a complete yet comprehensive guide has been provide.

The table below provides useful information about the .gerber file extension. It answers questions such as:

• What is the .gerber file?
• What program do I need to open a .gerber file?
• How can the .gerber file be opened, edited or printed?
• How can I convert .gerber files to another format?

Table of Contents

• 🔄 .gerber file converters
• 🚫 .gerber file related errors

We hope you find this page helpful and a valuable resource!

0 extension(s) and 1 alias(es) found in database

✅ Gerber Format Document

Create Gerber Files

Other types of files may also use the .gerber file extension.

How To Open Pcb Gerber File Download

🔴 Can't open a .gerber file?

Gerber File Types

When you double-click a file to open it, Windows examines the filename extension. If Windows recognizes the filename extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that filename extension. When Windows does not recognize a filename extension, you receive the following message:

Windows cannot open this file:
example.gerber
To open this file, Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it...

How To Open Pcb Gerber File Extension

If you don't know how to set the .gerber file association, check the FAQ.

🔴 Can I change the extension of files?

Gerber Pcb Software Free

Changing the filename extension of a file is not a good idea. When you change a file's extension, you change the way programs on your computer read the file. The problem is, changing the file extension does not change the file format.

How To Open Pcb Gerber Files

If you have helpful information about the .gerber file extension, write to us!