There are modern software solutions that can help to do that level of checking and bring the creation of useless printed circuit boards to an end. They guarantee your work is heading into production without errors, and they are often called Gerber file viewers.

Should You Run Printed Circuit Board Designs Through a Gerber File Viewer?

Standard PCB design uses Gerber files. Most involved in the industry know all about a Gerber file and how to read one. It enables standardization in design and eliminates glitches caused by any attempts at merging different kinds of files.

Are PCBs so complex? Printed circuit boards are found in and also contain electronic components. They may feature resistors and capacitors and run complex or simple operations. Circuits are mounted to the board, and the various elements within a board communicate through conducting materials like copper lines.

Gerber files detail these connections and components and will show the many layers that printed circuit boards may require to do their job. Gerber files, however, may also be used by PCB printing devices to make the boards. They may guide the production of a PCB directly from the design, depending upon the information within the files.

To date, there have been three generations of Gerber files:

• Standard Gerber, RS-274-D was the first generation
• Extended Gerber, RS0274X was the second generation
• Gerber X2 is the latest generation and also often includes metadata

A single Gerber file corresponds or details a single layer on printed circuit boards, one file for each layer, including inner layers, as well as top or bottom signal layers. Historically, manufacturers would work directly with designers and go over the Gerber files to ensure no issues. Today, things have changed, and a manufacturer may whip up a batch of printed circuit boards without evaluating or scrutinizing the Gerber files.

As many recognize, this can lead to a lot of trouble. Flawed layering, failed communications, and other issues may leave an entire batch of PCBs useless to the buyer. Fortunately, the use of a Gerber file viewer may save the day.

Using the Gerber File Viewer

Gerber file viewers were designed and created to address the issue of flawed PCB design. Today, there are many types of Gerber file viewers on the market that allow PCB designers to see how the various layers will operate as a physical PCB.

While there are many programs, Advanced Circuits makes an entirely free tool of this kind available to its customers. It requires a quick upload of Gerber files into the system and is free whether or not the user is a registered customer of the company.

Known as FreeDFM, it does a comprehensive evaluation of the design. It looks at all of the inner layers and evaluates such issues as spacing, trace width, annular ring, inner clearance, and thermal reduction. It also analyzes the outer layers’ similar areas, checking spacing, trace width, and annular ring. It looks at physical production issues like drilling and evaluates solder mask for undersized or missing clearances. It checks the silkscreen for line width.

After this comprehensive review, it generates an easy-to-understand report in a PDF format. It provides its full findings of the Gerber file review, and while it may make some basic repairs, it also identifies issues that a designer must address. For example, one of the more common design flaws is missing or incomplete data. FreeDFM will ensure that files have the required data.

One of the most significant benefits of the Gerber file viewer is its ability to correct common design issues automatically. It fixes small issues on-the-fly, cutting down on designer’s workloads and delays. The information taken from the evaluation also helps to generate an accurate quote for PCB production.

Additional Benefits

The free Gerber file viewer is an ideal tool for error-free production. Yet Advanced Circuits also offers an array of other services and resources, including:

• Fast service – Speedy turnaround time and fast shipping ensures that customers get their PCBs quickly.
• Custom orders – Custom orders are welcome for PCB prototypes or full batches.
• No tooling charges – When an order features Standard Specifications, tooling charges are waived and similar fees are canceled on reorders of Standard Spec as Custom Spec items.
• No minimum orders – There are no minimum lot requirements, meaning that clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than they might need or used.
• Not a broker – The company never subs out their work, but instead, relies on their top-of-the-line, 62,000-square-foot facility that guarantees the kind of quality and speed most customers want but don’t always get.
• 24-hour support – Customer service around-the-clock is great, but they also feature a live tech support team that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night.
• Best shipping record – Advance Circuits has the best on-time shipping record in the industry, and they are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, they say they “put our money where our mouth is . . . and we ship Standard Spec orders on time, or they’re FREE!”

Whether it is a new company seeking a maker of printed circuit boards or a long-standing firm eager to up the quality and experience with a PCB manufacturer, Advanced Circuits has the resources needed. With free evaluations through the Gerber file viewer, designs will be better than ever, and PCBs can be as innovative or as simple as needed and always reliable.

Today, a lot of overseas outsourcing has eliminated the one-on-one meetings and factory tours. Does it mean that there are no longer manufacturers who will uphold the standards of the past? The good news is that there are still manufacturers who can offer premier PC board design processes and match flawless production levels of the past. Some even have rapid turnaround times that compete with overseas providers.

Enjoy Optimal Results with High-Quality PC Board Design Tools

Advanced Circuits is a company of that caliber and is one of the most trusted and top-rated companies within the entire PCB and prototype assembly industry. Offering PCB manufacturing (fabrication) and assembly, they are particularly trusted for their PC board design.

Why? It all has to do with the fact that they are a full-service company with decades of experience and an array of services that have been crafted to improve and support any PCB project. These services include free resources such as:

Free PCB File Check – The FreeDFM program enables clients to run a free and fast design assessment of their pre-existing Gerber files or other design files. The software works easily and simply. The PC board design files are uploaded, and then the program evaluates the files and analyzes all essential data, automatically fixing some issues, and generating an easy to read and use report that explains what was fixed and where there may be other problematic issues. Clients who put it to use also enjoy a discount if they run the designs in advance of submitting them.

Naturally, there are many already using industry-preferred file formats, like Gerber files, and the free file checking program available from Advanced Circuits requires exporting these files from the program, uploading via the free online tool, and submitting the email where results should be sent. It takes only minutes, and a quote, discount code, and link to the PDF of the results will appear.

Free PCB Layout Software: PCB Artist – Customers enjoy entirely free access to this advanced software. It is a comprehensive PCB design tool that clients access in an unrestricted format. It is capable of up to 28 layers and includes more than 500,000 parts, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and more. Entirely free to use, it is also user-friendly and is frequently described by industry experts as the best PC board design tool. Clients of Advanced Circuits enjoy complimentary use of the program to save money and time while avoiding unnecessary flaws or mistakes. PCB Artist comes with printable tutorials and video options that walk users of every level through the traditionally complex process of PCB design and manufacturing. This means that any concerns about the time spent learning the software or similar issues can be set aside. Instead, a faster and more efficient process for design can be used, and PCBs can even be ordered directly through the software.

Every order the company receives also enjoys the benefits of a complementary engineering file review before the fabrication process is initiated. This ensures that customers never experience the kind of hassles and costly mistakes that so many others have experienced when working with “no-touch” services common to overseas and outsourced projects. In such instances, clients end up paying for unusable work that had correctable design flaws overlooked simply because the designs were unchecked prior to the fabrication processes.

Even More Motivation for Doing PC Board Design with Advanced Circuits

While the many free PCB design resources are more than enough to demonstrate why Advanced Circuits is a preferred provider, there are even further reasons to entrust the PC board design and fabrication process to them, including:

• No tooling charges – When an order features Standard Specifications, they are glad to waive tooling charges and always cancel out such fees on reorders of Standard Spec as Custom Spec items.
• No minimum orders – There are no minimum lot requirements, meaning that clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than they might need or used.
• Not a broker – The company never subs out their work but instead relies on their top-of-the-line, 62,000-square-foot facility that guarantees the kind of quality and speed most want don’t always receive.
• 24-hour support – Customer service around the clock is great, but they also feature a live tech support team that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night.
• Best shipping record – Advanced Circuits has the best on-time shipping record in the industry, and they are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, they say they “put our money where our mouth is . . . and we ship Standard Spec orders on time, or they’re FREE!”

So, is it possible to enjoy error-free PC board design using the no-touch approach? The answer is yes, and it is far easier than many think.

There are many reasons to choose Advanced Circuits. It isn’t just the free tools, the fast turnarounds, and the expert help. They also look to partner with their customers during the process of PCB design and manufacture. Offering tools to make everyone’s job easier and more effective, it makes good sense to get in touch with them now. Their instant quotes and easy order tracking guarantee that your firm can obtain top-quality PCBs designed flawlessly and to the most precise specifications – and the order will arrive on time, or it’s free!

Writing them without errors, though, is easier than it may seem. Gerber files are digital blueprints for your PCB. They detail each layer and shape the fabrication process that will be used to make even the most innovative designs. Many producers demand Gerber files, even if they are an assembly-only part of the process. This is to ensure clarity on all of the physical attributes of a PCB.

This means that even a single mistake will lead to all kinds of delays, financial issues, production problems, and losses. If you are using a “no-touch” manufacturer or fabricator, it also means it is a “no review” production process. They don’t analyze your Gerber files or PCB design, and it makes it easier than ever for incomplete, flawed, or inaccurate Gerber files to make their way into production, resulting in a PCB that doesn’t work.

Is the Gerber file so wrought with potential disaster as to make it a problem? No, it is simply that there are common glitches that are easily overlooked.

Common Glitches to Consider When Working with Gerber Files

Many are unaware of the most common problems with Gerber files, but it is immensely useful to know about them when entering into the PCB design and production process. These problems include:

• Empty files – Any designer may unintentionally delete or negate file content, leaving a 0-byte file that offers no workable data for the production or fabrication team.
• Flawed file naming protocols – Among the most common concerns with Gerber files is the use of a flawed file naming protocol. Leading to confusion for others involved in the process, this also complicates file checking or troubleshooting.
• Incomplete or missing data – Empty files are one thing, but it is also possible for details or information to be lacking or mismatched against the specifications delivered to a manufacturer. It is crucial for Gerber files to be where they belong, accessible, and complete.
• Conflict between layers – Some software creates multiple Gerber files with design specs at every layer. Should those layers fail to be combined synchronously, it can lead to composite layer design errors outside of individual layer design specs.
• Aperture lists – When Gerber files are in use, it is best to have a single aperture list with details the fabricator or manufacturer will need, as well as specs relating to the tools necessary for each stage. Multiple lists can mean errors, and the format of the lists should be in sync with the Gerber file format, as well.

Those experienced in Gerber file creation may think of such mistakes as avoidable or inexcusable, but they are common events. They doom most projects to huge production costs, lengthy delays, and failure. Avoiding them requires attention to detail, the use of high-definition CAD programs, implementing the best quality assurance practices from start to finish, and using a Gerber file viewer.

Because problems are so common, the best PCB manufacturers and fabricators offer free resources to prevent such issues.

Advanced Circuits Offers Support for Flawless Gerber Files

Advanced Circuits is among the top names in the PCB and prototype assembly industries. With the ability to handle PCB manufacturing (fabrication) and assembly, it provides clients with services that help improve all projects, especially the quality of their Gerber files. This is done by making a range of free resources available that support the creation of projects from first phase to final product.

Advanced Circuits offers the following options:

• The Advanced Circuits website has free PCB file check software for those with complete Gerber files ready to enter production. Known as FreeDFM, it is a program that will rapidly evaluate printed circuit board design files, correct many issues, and send a full report that identifies any other issues that could present problems along the way. Those who use this tool get a discount for simply running the files through the program. It does require an import of Gerber files (via an online upload). However, the software is free to use, and it will utilize the registered email address to send all of the analysis (in a PDF report) as well as the discount code.
• PCB Artist As anyone familiar with PCB design and manufacturing knows, most customers rarely get to tour a fabricator’s facilities or work one-on-one to address issues or avoid common errors. Once a great way to prevent problems, the global nature of PCB production makes this impossible. This is why Advanced Circuits offers another resource – the free PCB Artist program. This has a long list of features that guarantee an error-free design process and includes unrestricted design capabilities with a 28-layer limit, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and more. This is not the same as Gerber files but includes a full library of tutorials that help all users to create flawless files.
• Free Gerber file reviews, corrections, and reporting by an engineering expert.

Further Resources to Trust

While this array of design resources proves invaluable to many, Advanced Circuits also dedicates itself to client satisfaction and success in other ways. For example, work is never subcontracted, there are never tooling fees if an order sticks to standard specs, and there is 24-hour tech support provided by a CAM engineer. They make no minimum order requirements and have the best on-time shipping record in the industry, with many orders arriving ahead of schedule. They are so sure they can meet customer needs that Standard Spec orders are FREE if they fail to arrive on time.

Gerber files can be a major hassle, but the tools and services available via Advanced Circuits support only the best results. Avoiding costly errors and long production delays are a thing of the past when your files are created without errors or problems.

It also opens up the door to the risk of losses due to flaws in the PCB design. Even when top-tier PCB design software is used by a skilled expert, there can always be mistakes that a production team can recognize. The “no-touch” approach used by most subcontractors, though, allows for glitches because files are often received and run without evaluation.

The good news is that some domestic PCB manufacturers have the ability to offer one-stop production, including access to free, premium PCB design software, along with expert evaluative services.

PCB Design Software to Ensure Optimal Results

Advanced Circuits provides customers with PCB design software, and rates as one of the most well-known companies in the PCB and prototype assembly industries. We handle PCB manufacturing (fabrication) and assembly, but it is often our PCB design software and expert support that sets us far apart from the crowd.

A one-stop shop with more than two decades in the industry, we provide customers with exclusive services that support, facilitate, and improve any project. The resources available for the PCB design process include the following.

Free PCB Layout Software – PCB Artist – Whether novice or expert designers, customers are often delighted by the entirely complimentary access they receive to this innovative PCB design software. Unrestricted, it is capable of up to 28 layers and includes more than 500k parts, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and more. Easy to use, it is a noted printed circuit board design tool throughout the industry.

Free PCB File Check – Whether or not the free PCB Artist software is used, there is also the FreeDFM program that enables clients to run a free and fast design assessment. The software uses PCB design software files uploaded into the system and then evaluates them fully. The program ensures files feature all essential data, automatically corrects some issues, and provides an easy-to-read and use report. Clients using it also enjoy a discount when they run the designs in advance of submitting them to the team.

If a customer is using Gerber format files, the PCB design software and File Check program can still be put to use. There are free uploading tools, and it takes only the submission of a client email to obtain the full evaluative report. It takes only minutes, and a quote, discount code, and link to the PDF of the results will appear.

End Problems Using PCB Design Software

Worried that you are going to have to relearn the use of PCB design software to enjoy the free tools and resources…as well as enjoy all of those benefits? Don’t be! The PCB Artist software comes with printable tutorials and video options that take even the extreme beginner through the complex process of PCB design and manufacturing. And there are experts on-call 24 hours a day to help.

Additionally, on top of the free file review software, every single order receives a free engineering file review before the fabrication process is initiated. What is this? An actual engineer examines the file and guarantees that customers never experience the kind of financially harmful outcomes they might have received via the more common no-touch services from outsourced work. Rather than an easily correctable design flaw allowed to go through and ruin a batch, the trained eye will detect issues and correct them before a project begins.

And, while the free PCB design resources made available on our website is enough to demonstrate why we are a preferred provider, there are many additional reasons to use and order through the PCB design software, including:

• No tooling charges – When an order features Standard Specifications, we’re always glad to eliminate tooling charges and cancel out such fees on reorders of Standard Spec as Custom Spec items.
• We are NOT a broker – Advanced Circuits never subcontracts work. Instead, we rely on our top-of-the-line, 62,000-square-foot facility that guarantees the kind of quality and speed most want but don’t always receive.
• 24-hour support – Customer service around-the-clock is great, but we also feature a live tech support team that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night and get answers about the free PCB design software or PCBs, in general.
• No minimum orders – There are no minimum lot requirements, meaning that clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than they might need or use.
• Best shipping record – Advanced Circuits has the best on-time shipping record in the industry.

Partner with Advanced Circuits for Error-Free PCB Design

Don’t spend a moment worrying about learning curves and other similar struggles for our free design tools. They are easy to use and include tutorials. Instead, get ready for a far more efficient design process, simple ordering, and discounted pricing. There are so many reasons to choose Advanced Circuits, and as you have seen, we go well beyond the free PCB design software. We ensure that any designs (whether received as Gerber files or another format) are without easily correctable mistakes. This saves time and money while keeping your firm on schedule. The free evaluation resources available include engineering reviews, and we make engineers available around-the-clock to help with any issues or questions.

It is difficult to beat this approach to PCB design and production, and with guarantees that orders arrive when scheduled (or they are free), it makes good sense to get in touch with Advanced Circuits and get your project started today.

However, if you do not make use of a quality Gerber file viewer, you may find some issues. Even after you have spent a long time making sure that the board has been designed perfectly, it is still possible for errors to exist in the Gerber files. It is very frustrating to have this happen.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to find and handle these problems before they take control. In addition to having a quality design from the start, using a Gerber file viewer to locate issues is very important. Even if you are creating a relatively simple circuit board, you will find that having a file viewer can help to cut down on errors. Even the best designers and engineers can make mistakes. Viewing the Gerber files can help to ensure those mistakes do not persist and cause further problems.

What Are Gerber Files?

Before delving into how a file viewer can help, it is a good idea to have an understanding of what Gerber files are and why they are important. The files are considered the industry standard for printed circuit boards, which means they are what everyone knows and uses.

It has become the industry standard because Gerber is robust and able to describe a range of different circumstances regarding the board that everyone who is familiar with the file system can understand. It also makes it easier to send files out to a manufacturer because everyone is working from the same base. The Gerber file format should be used to ensure there are guidelines for the manufacturer. It describes the components of the PCB image, communicating the information to the manufacturer in a way they will understand.

Over the years, there have been several generations of Gerber files. These include the first generation, RS-274-D, which is also often called Standard Gerber. Extended Gerber, RS0274X is the second generation. The most recent Gerber file format is called Gerber X2.

Easily Check Your Gerber Files

Creating high-quality designs does not always mean you haven’t made any errors. There could still be issues that a Gerber file viewer can help to find so you can fix them. At Advanced Circuits, we offer a PCB file viewer, which makes it easy for you to add your files and view them. You can quickly and easily find out if there are any problems with the files before you move forward. One of the best features of our file viewer is that it can correct some types of problems automatically. This helps to speed up the process even further.

Our free file viewer software is very simple to use. Once you have exported files from the software program you are using to design the PCB, all you need to do is load them onto our site’s file viewer. It is a free system, and you can get your results very quickly. Just add your email address, so the results of the check can be sent to your email.

If there are issues with the design, you will be alerted in the results that are emailed to you. The report that you receive is graphical and very easy to understand. If there are remaining problems, you will know exactly what you need to address. As mentioned, it is sometimes possible for the software to fix certain issues automatically. In the results, you will find out if any issues were automatically corrected.

One of the other benefits of using Advanced Circuits is that we also provide free PCB Artist software. This is an ideal solution for those who need a quality, reliable program to create their printed circuit boards from the ground up.

If there are issues that were not corrected automatically, you will at least know where they are located. This allows you to go back to the proverbial drawing board, so you can then fix the issue or issues on your own.

Being able to check the files helps to eliminate the risk of trying to send through files for production that have errors in them. For anyone who is working in the field and even those who might be making a few prototypes for personal projects, errors cause delays. When projects are delayed, they can cost money, not to mention a substantial amount of frustration. Using a high-quality Gerber file viewer helps to cut down on these issues substantially.

How Else Will Advanced Circuits Help You?

As mentioned, Advanced Circuits also provides PCB Artist software, which makes it faster and easier to create a high-quality PCB design. It is powerful and easy-to-use software that is entirely free for those who want to use it. There are other benefits to working with us that you will discover.

We can provide a speedy turnaround time for those who are looking to have their PCBs manufactured. Not only are we able to manufacture quickly, but you will find that we are also able to ship quickly. We have been in the field for years and have become not only one of the largest companies in the industry but also one of the most trusted. There are no minimum orders when working with us, either. Whether you need one or two boards or you need 10,000, we can provide you with the help you need throughout the project.

Regardless of where you are in your design for a printed circuit board, it is time to check out all that Advanced Circuits can offer. From design software to a Gerber file viewing, manufacturing, and more, we have what you need. Get in touch and make sure that your board is error-free and ready for printing.

In this post, we discuss the basics of printed circuit board Gerber files.  For more detailed information about Gerber file generations and our requirements, click here.  For more PCB design and manufacturing resources, visit our PCB Engineering & CAM Resources page.

What are PCB Gerber Files

A Gerber file is basically an image of a PCB. It showcases each individual layer as it appears throughout your circuit design.  Gerber files represent copper layers images, solder mask, legend, and drill and route data helping to simplify the process of seeing how the circuit board should be fabricated.  The Gerber files also contain attributes that provide meta-information about these images, such as whether a graphics object is and SMD pad, a via pad,  a fiducial, or any other type of element.

Multiple programs have the ability to read a Gerber file format due to its simplicity, yet detailed descriptions of its contents. They additionally assist in locating potential issues and debugging of the circuit design when uploaded to our FreeDFM file check tool. When submitting a Gerber file, it is wise to send a straightforward text (.txt) file with the explanation of the requirements that may not appear in the file as a note to the PCB manufacturer.

What’s Included in PCB Gerber Files

When exporting the set of Gerber files for your PCB design, you will notice there is a set of individual files with different extensions which should be saved as a zipped folder to send over to the PCB manufacturer.  These files are the following elements of your circuit board design:

• Top Silkscreen
• Top Soldermask
• Top Copper
• Top Solderpaste
• Inner Copper
• Bottom Copper
• Bottom Soldermask
• Bottom Silkscreen
• Bottom Solderpaste
• NC Drill
• Non Plated Drill
• Slots
• Drawing/Other

When submitting your files for PCB fabrication, you will need to map your files (match) to the elements mentioned above.  Common file name extensions are listed in the image below.