Navigation:  Data Formats > Gerber

Translation to Gerber format(RS-274D, RS-274X, Fire9000, BarcoDPF) files.   Excellent for anyone who needs to make photoplots from their AutoCAD designs.

 

Sample Gerber screen capture of Gerber inside  our CAM editor"FAB 3000"

 

The Gerber Format:

Gerber data is a simple, generic means of transferring printed circuit board

information to a wide variety of devices that convert the electronic PCB data to

artwork produced by a photoplotter. Virtually every PCB CAD system generates

Gerber data because all photoplotters read it. It is a file structure consisting

of X,Y coordinates supplemented by commands that define where the PCB image

starts, what shape it will take, and where it ends. In addition to the coordinates,

Gerber data contains aperture information, which defines the shapes and sizes of

lines, holes, and other features.

 

Gerber RS-274X:

Extended Gerber Format, which is also called RS-274X, provides enhancements that handle

polygon fill codes, positive/negative image compositing, and custom apertures,

and other features. RS-274X also encapsulates the aperture list in the header of

the Gerber data file and therefore allows files to pass from one system to another

without the need to re-input the aperture table. RS-274X produces a variety of

Gerber data called X data.

 

 

The Problem - Gerber files can be Difficult to Handle:

Gerber data is unique in the fact that each file usually represents a single layer, something different from most other EDA formats that may contain multiple layers & designs/blocks all inside a single file.  Many Gerber files are not written to specification; Thus many "unwritten rules" must be made to properly load in these files to the authors intention.

 

Here is a list of some common difficulties found inside Gerber files:

Transcoding of apertures - when multiple gerber files define the same aperture dcode, but require different shapes,

Handle complex custom aperture definitions.

Handle 'user-defined' custom aperture macros ($).

Circular Interpolation: Arcs (G75), & Quadrant Arcs(G74)

Poly-Fill routines(G36,G37)

Support composite merging(LPD/LPC)

Photo Expose mode (G55)

Step/repeat codes(SR)

Offsets(OF),Units(G70,G71),Mirror(MI)

Zero Suppression with leading or trailing zeros.

Format type: Incremental(G91)

Most software products have a hard time loading, & rendering gerber files attributes properly (ie. rounded paths, custom flashes, composite layers, and step/repeat).

 

 

EasyGerb is the Perfect Solution:

 

Gerber successfully handles all features of the Gerber (RS-274X, Fire9000) format.  Custom apertures,  composite layers, and step/repeat are all correctly processed.