In this Gerber tutorial, I will teach you how to create the files you need for a 2-layer board using Cadsoft Eagle. After you have completed this tutorial you will have all the necessary files needed to send to most PCB manufacturers.
This tutorial is out of date. I have switched to KiCad, so I recommend the updated tutorial How to Create Gerber Files in KiCad.
Step 1: Open the CAM Processor
In Eagle, open Board view. Click the 'CAM' button or choose 'File->CAM Processor'. This will open the CAM Processor tool that is used to generate the files.
Hey Guys,In this video, I have shown you How to make Gerber file.Download the cam file: to design PCB layout:Part 1: https://youtu.b. How To Open or Convert Your PCB Files From Different Software 3.1 Eagle to Gerber. First of all, you will need to open your PCB design file in Eagle. This file will have a.brd extension. After that, following the following instructions: 1.Select 'File - CAM Processor'. CAM processor tool will open to produce your Gerber file.
Here you can define the sections you want to create files for.
But you don't really need to understand this. Actually I have never really thought about the details of this until I was writing this article. I have just been using ready-made configurations. And that is probably what you want to do as well.
Step 2: Open a predefined job
To simplify creating Gerber files, Eagle comes with a predefined job for this. It is called gerb274x.cam.
(Note: If you want to order PCBs from Seeed Studio's Fusion PCB service, you should instead download their own CAM-file from the bottom of their submission guidelines page. Be aware that this will give you different file names than the ones listed below in this article.)
To open it in the CAM Processor click 'File->Open->Job…'
Browse to your …/eagle/cam/ folder, and you should see a file called gerb274x.cam. Choose it and click 'Open'.
You will now see five tabs in the CAM Processor. Each of these tabs will generate a Gerber file.
Step 3: Adding a second silk screen (Optional)
If you look at the tabs, you will see that you don't have a file for silk screen bottom. For simple boards, the silk screen is usually on the top layer so that you don't need the bottom. Some of the cheap circuit board manufacturers don't even allow bottom silk screen.
But if you need silk screen on bottom layer as well, follow these steps:
- Click 'Add'
- Change Section to something like 'Silk Screen SOL'
- Change File to '%N.pls'
- Deselect all layers
- Select layers 20 'Dimension', 22 'bPlace' and 26 'bNames'
There you go.
Step 4: Create each gerber file
Select where you want to put the Gerber files by clicking on the 'File' button and choosing a folder. Do this for all the tabs.
Then click 'Process Job'. This creates your Gerber files.
Step 5: Adding file for drill holes
Even though drilling is supported by the Gerber format, manufacturers usually want the Excellon file format for specifying drill holes. Luckily, Eagle also comes with a predefined job for creating a drill file.
(Note: This step is automatically done if you're using the CAM-file from Seeed Studio that I linked to in step 2.)
Open it in the CAM Processor by clicking 'File->Open->Job…'
Browse to your …/eagle/cam/ folder, and open the file named 'excellon.cam'.
Select where to put the output file by clicking on the 'File' button.
Then click 'Process Job' to create your Excellon file.
Step 6: Check output files
You should now have the following files:
- *.cmp (Copper, component side)
- *.drd (Drill file)
- *.dri (Drill Station Info File) – Usually not needed
- *.gpi (Photoplotter Info File) – Usually not needed
- *.plc (Silk screen, component side)
- *.pls (Silk screen, solder side)
- *.sol (Copper, solder side)
- *.stc (Solder stop mask, component side)
- *.sts (Solder stop mask, solder side)
After you have created each gerber file, you should always look at them using a Gerber viewer to make sure everything is ok.
Summary
This Gerber tutorial shows one way of creating the files you need. Even though this should be OK for many PCB manufacturers, you might find that some would want the files created in a slightly different way. If so, don't worry, they will probably provide you with a Job file you can load directly into Eagle or at least have a good explanation on how to do it on their website.
Check out more articles on PCB design by clicking this link:
Return from Gerber File to PCB Design
Gerber files are the industry's preferred file format for manufacturing printed circuit boards. Most PCB design software has the ability to output the design data in Gerber format to represent a design's copper layer images, solder mask, legend, and drill and route data accurately. But, in the output process it can be easy to unintentionally exclude important data required for manufacturing, or output data that contains design rule violations such as insufficient solder mask clearance or deficient silkscreen line width.
Gerber File Manufacturability Check
Advanced Circuits' online tool, FreeDFM, offers a quick and easy way to check your Gerber files prior to submitting your order for manufacturing. The free tool ensures that all of the design rules are satisfied and all required data is included in your Gerber files. Checking your files can save you time by avoiding CAM holds after your order has been placed and it can save you money making sure your printed circuit boards are produced exactly as intended the first time.
How to Use FreeDFM
To use Advanced Circuits' FreeDFM software, make sure that your Gerber files are placed in a single folder and compressed as a .Zip. Upload your .Zip file to FreeDFM and provide the email address where you would like to receive the detailed report identifying any possible issues found.
Next, our FreeDFM software will automatically identify the files based on the standard naming conventions of most EDA software packages. You may also manually identify any of the files if the system was not able to match the file extension. Click here to view a list of the most common Gerber file extensions file naming conventions.
Once you submit your file, Advanced Circuits' FreeDFM software will perform the automated checks for your PCB design and send a detailed report outlining any possible manufacturability issues found in your Gerber files. The report is sent directly to your inbox within minutes and it will contain the location and description of the issues along with a discount code for up to $100 off your next PCB fabrication order.
Below is an example of FreeDFM's Report:
What Does FreeDFM Check For in Your Gerber Files?
Create Gerber Files
Each time you submit Gerber files to FreeDFM, the software will perform all of the following checks:
Complete Gerber Files in .ZIP Folder
How To Open Pcb Gerber Files
- Gerber file for each copper layer
- Gerber file for each soldermask layer
- Gerber file for each silkscreen layer
- Excellon or Gerber drill file
How To Make Gerber File
Inner Plane Layers
- Spacing
- Trace width
- Annular ring
- Inner clearance (drill to feature)
- Thermal reduction
Outer Layers
Step 3: Adding a second silk screen (Optional)
If you look at the tabs, you will see that you don't have a file for silk screen bottom. For simple boards, the silk screen is usually on the top layer so that you don't need the bottom. Some of the cheap circuit board manufacturers don't even allow bottom silk screen.
But if you need silk screen on bottom layer as well, follow these steps:
- Click 'Add'
- Change Section to something like 'Silk Screen SOL'
- Change File to '%N.pls'
- Deselect all layers
- Select layers 20 'Dimension', 22 'bPlace' and 26 'bNames'
There you go.
Step 4: Create each gerber file
Select where you want to put the Gerber files by clicking on the 'File' button and choosing a folder. Do this for all the tabs.
Then click 'Process Job'. This creates your Gerber files.
Step 5: Adding file for drill holes
Even though drilling is supported by the Gerber format, manufacturers usually want the Excellon file format for specifying drill holes. Luckily, Eagle also comes with a predefined job for creating a drill file.
(Note: This step is automatically done if you're using the CAM-file from Seeed Studio that I linked to in step 2.)
Open it in the CAM Processor by clicking 'File->Open->Job…'
Browse to your …/eagle/cam/ folder, and open the file named 'excellon.cam'.
Select where to put the output file by clicking on the 'File' button.
Then click 'Process Job' to create your Excellon file.
Step 6: Check output files
You should now have the following files:
- *.cmp (Copper, component side)
- *.drd (Drill file)
- *.dri (Drill Station Info File) – Usually not needed
- *.gpi (Photoplotter Info File) – Usually not needed
- *.plc (Silk screen, component side)
- *.pls (Silk screen, solder side)
- *.sol (Copper, solder side)
- *.stc (Solder stop mask, component side)
- *.sts (Solder stop mask, solder side)
After you have created each gerber file, you should always look at them using a Gerber viewer to make sure everything is ok.
Summary
This Gerber tutorial shows one way of creating the files you need. Even though this should be OK for many PCB manufacturers, you might find that some would want the files created in a slightly different way. If so, don't worry, they will probably provide you with a Job file you can load directly into Eagle or at least have a good explanation on how to do it on their website.
Check out more articles on PCB design by clicking this link:
Return from Gerber File to PCB Design
Gerber files are the industry's preferred file format for manufacturing printed circuit boards. Most PCB design software has the ability to output the design data in Gerber format to represent a design's copper layer images, solder mask, legend, and drill and route data accurately. But, in the output process it can be easy to unintentionally exclude important data required for manufacturing, or output data that contains design rule violations such as insufficient solder mask clearance or deficient silkscreen line width.
Gerber File Manufacturability Check
Advanced Circuits' online tool, FreeDFM, offers a quick and easy way to check your Gerber files prior to submitting your order for manufacturing. The free tool ensures that all of the design rules are satisfied and all required data is included in your Gerber files. Checking your files can save you time by avoiding CAM holds after your order has been placed and it can save you money making sure your printed circuit boards are produced exactly as intended the first time.
How to Use FreeDFM
To use Advanced Circuits' FreeDFM software, make sure that your Gerber files are placed in a single folder and compressed as a .Zip. Upload your .Zip file to FreeDFM and provide the email address where you would like to receive the detailed report identifying any possible issues found.
Next, our FreeDFM software will automatically identify the files based on the standard naming conventions of most EDA software packages. You may also manually identify any of the files if the system was not able to match the file extension. Click here to view a list of the most common Gerber file extensions file naming conventions.
Once you submit your file, Advanced Circuits' FreeDFM software will perform the automated checks for your PCB design and send a detailed report outlining any possible manufacturability issues found in your Gerber files. The report is sent directly to your inbox within minutes and it will contain the location and description of the issues along with a discount code for up to $100 off your next PCB fabrication order.
Below is an example of FreeDFM's Report:
What Does FreeDFM Check For in Your Gerber Files?
Create Gerber Files
Each time you submit Gerber files to FreeDFM, the software will perform all of the following checks:
Complete Gerber Files in .ZIP Folder
How To Open Pcb Gerber Files
- Gerber file for each copper layer
- Gerber file for each soldermask layer
- Gerber file for each silkscreen layer
- Excellon or Gerber drill file
How To Make Gerber File
Inner Plane Layers
- Spacing
- Trace width
- Annular ring
- Inner clearance (drill to feature)
- Thermal reduction
Outer Layers
- Spacing
- Trace width
- Annular ring
Drill
- Double hits
- Missing hits
Express Pcb Gerber Files
Inner Signal Layers
How To Open Pcb Gerber File Extension
- Spacing
- Trace width
- Annular ring
- Inner clearance (drill to feature)
Pcb Artist Gerber Files
Soldermask
- Undersized clearances
- Missing clearances
Silkscreen
- Line width
