This software is a gerber viewer for Gerber RS-274X files, Excellon drill files, and CSV pick-and-place files.
About Gerber Files
Gerber files are typically output by a PCB CAD tool, and are sent to a PCB manufacturer who uses the files for manufacturing Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
There are two standards defining Gerber files: An old one called RS-274D, and a newer one called RS-274X. Gerber files generated in the old format (RS-274D) lack aperture information, which must be supplied separately. The new standard (RS-274X) embeds aperture information into the file. Note: the software displays RS-274X files not RS-274D files. When you create Gerber files using your PCB tool make sure you export RS-274X files if you want to view the files within the software.
Features
- Displays RS-274X files. (It does not display RS-274D files)
- Handles aperture macros with up to 10 levels of recursion
- Supports complex layer operations
- Display many different drill file formats
- Displays well-formed pick-and-place files
- Autodetect Gerber, drill, or pick-place file type when reading in the file
- Provides facilities for analyzing and validating your Gerber file's syntax, code count, aperture usage, etc.
- Panning and zooming of the image is supported
- Supports image autoscale
- Multiple files can be loaded simultaneously
- The number of layers you may load simultaneously is unlimited in the software
- The layer order may be changed
- You may turn display of individual layers on and off independently using a checkbox
- You may set layer colors independently using a pop up color choice window
- You may change the layer polarity
- The software incorporates a measurement tool
- Three different measurement units supported: inch, mm