What is Gerber and How to Generate Gerber File - Steps with Images

Gerber files are necessary to require printed circuit boards (PCB). When you draw the schematics, you need to generate them into Gerber files so that PCB manufacturers can follow your requirements.

You may ask, what is a Gerber file?

More importantly, how to generate Gerber files?

No worries, this post will let you know what is Gerber,  how to generate it, and how to print PCB from the Gerber file.

Part 1: What is a Gerber File

The Gerber format is an open 2D binary vector image file format. A Gerber file is the standard file used by printed circuit board industry software to describe the PCB images such as copper layers, solder mask, legend, etc.

Each layer of the PCB needs a Gerber file. You can know the layers of the PCB here.

When you generate Gerber files for either a single-layer or a multilayer PCB, multiple Gerber files are saved at once in a RAR or ZIP file.

The trick with Gerbers is that every file you generate will be associated with a particular layer on your board layout, each with its own unique file extension. 

File Extension of PCB Layer on Autodesk EAGLE

File Extension of PCB Layer on Altium Designer

Another thing to remember about Gerber's is their available formats – Gerber RS-274D and Gerber RS-274X. The D format is the older standard and uses two files per layer on your PCB. The newer X standard has done away with the two file format and contains all of the information about a layer in a single file.

Regarding having to manage your design data, the X format makes it a whole lot easier when you only have to keep track of one file per layer instead of two. We'd always recommend using the Gerber RS-274X format.

Now you've got to know that once you generate Gerber files, you can get the PCB printed from them. Let's dive to see how to generate Gerber files using OrCAD and Altium!

Part 2: Generating Gerber Files Using OrCAD

Step 1. First of all, design PCB on any OrCAD software (like in the figure below ). To learn more about PCB layout, read here. Verify all points to check those are not shorted. After verification, move to the next step.

Step 2. Navigate to the " Output" option on the top tab of the software.

Step 3. After clicking on " Output", choose " Generate Gerber".

Step 4. Click on " Output to a single ZIP file", and then go to " Reflection" > " Mirror". Confirm to generate a Gerber file by clicking on " OK".

Step 5. Finally, the Gerber file in ZIP format is generated. It can be found in your saved location.

Part 3: Generating Gerber Files Using Altium

Step 1. Open your schematic using Altium Designer. Navigate to the " File" option on the top tab of the software and go to " Fabrication Outputs" > " Gerber Files".

Step 2. You will jump to the Gerber Setup window. Here, you need to choose the " Layers" option on the top tab.

Step 3. Then click " Plot Layers" > " All on". Confirm to generate the Gerber file by clicking the " OK" button.

If you want to generate the drill file, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Open the schematic using Altium. Navigate to the " File" option on top of the tap.

Step 2. Choose "Fabrication Outputs" and click " NC Drill Files" from the drop-down list.

Step 3. The NC Drill Setup window is open. Click " OK" and you generate the drill file.

Applications of Gerber Files

As mentioned above, a Gerber file is a 2D binary vector image file format to describe the circuit board image. It was widely used to drive vector plotters. Details Expand in this Standard Gerber - Standard Gerber was a numerical control (NC) format designed by Gerber Systems Corp to drive their vector photo plotters for the PCB industry in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a subset of the Electronic Industries Association RS-274-D specification, a format to drive mechanical NC machines in a wide range of industries.

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