PCB Gerber Files - Interesting to know

[@movax20h]

There is already Gerber X3 released. Some manufacturers already accept it, like Euro Circuits. It is mostly compatible with Gerber X2, but has few extra stuff related to component identification and placement and orientation, so now Gerbers can also be used for SMD assembly and similar, but also for part ordering, BOM, etc. So you don't need 5 different file types anymore really, or custom CSV and XLSL files with BOMs, CPLs, etc. KiCad master branch has an experimental support for outputing footprint / parts positions in Gerber X3 format. Really nice.

[@AhmedHan]

Great video as always! I usually skip your videos, because they are too long. But when I patiently watch one throughout completely, I learn a lot of new things.

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you Ahmed. PS: Watching at 1.5x, 1.75x or 2x speed is very useful. That is what I often do for longer videos.

[@ahbushnell1]

I just pinged my vendor to see if they support. Seems like a good thing. Thanks

[@mdchethan]

For sure learnt a lot about Gerber X2, So Gerber X2 files are more informative, let me try Sharing Gerber X2 files with Fabricator for my next board.

[@bassdownlow007]

Thanks for the video. In PADS, I used to rename the CAM documents before generating the GERBER files so I know which layer it represents and then use Viewmate software.

[@RobertFeranec]

The same here. Gerber X2 looks interesting.

[@yviestones2455]

as always something new that I learn, thank you very much,

[@Ghumakkad2429]

Your videos always brings something new and interesting...thanks Robert for your great effort....

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you Amit

[@paulkushner3866]

Great stuff. Please do the same for ODB++ and other formats!

[@Funkylogic]

Robert, excellent clear explanation as always. Thanks for the effort you put in. Answered a lot of questions i never thought to look up.

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you very much Tom

[@madhavdimble9782]

Hello Robert,Thanks for making videos on Hardware and PCB design. This videos is really helpful,like your other videos and i want to tell that please make videos on PADS like you make for Altium.😀🤘

[@RobertFeranec]

Mentor doesn't want to support my videos about their software. I have already talked to Mentor about Hyperlynx videos. They do not like people making videos with their software.

[@anicetdjada2025]

Thanks for the valuable video; as usual ! The gerber x2 looks more cler tthan previous one, I'll ask my PCB manufacturer if they support. Good Job !!!

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you Anicet

[@movax20h]

KiCad actually uses Gerber X2 by default for some time. (You can use old format if you wish tho). They still put a specific extensions on files (for some older tools maybe), but the metadata are there in the header too. You can disable that and use .gbr for all files. The option is called "Use Protel filename extensions", it is selected on by default, but the tooltip says "Not longer recommended. The official extension is .gbr". KiCad also includes by default the netlist information. If you use X2 format in KiCad they become a real metadata in the files. If you use old format, these information are just comments in the file. I believe the netlist metadata in Gerber files is used by manufacturers to troubleshoot, but also for automated electrical checks of finished board to find shorts and open connections. (The netlist could be theoretically be automatically figured out from the gerber files and vias, but it is more complex process, but KiCad already knows, so it can embed this information directly as metadata for all tracks and shapes on conductor layers). KiCad still uses Ecellion drill files for drilling by default. But you can use Gerber X2 for them if you want. I did test them with JLCPCB and they support Gerber X2 drill files just fine from what I can see. However some other manufacturers do have issues with it, at least during PCB preview in the browser, not sure if they handle it better during manufacturing. I did a fill a bug report to tracespace, a popular JavaScript Garber Viewer used by some manufacturers on their website (like pcbnew, pcbgogo, etc), because it does look to not handle cases of multiple drill files and some layers are not recognized. Should be easy to fix by them.

[@MuhammadAhsan-rr4js]

Nice Video Sir. I am following your video form long time even though i done one course from FEDVEL academy in Schematic and Hardware Design Course. I never saw that you are talked about Alitum CAMtastic? for my point of view which is more powerful tool as compare to other Gerber free tools. I mostly do editing in Gerber files via CAMtastic. So i can request you to please make video on it related to whole tool including editing! and also talk about reverse engineering through Gerber. Hope you will read my comment and make video on above. Otherwise you are doing wonderful job which can helpful for all level engineers. Thanks for your concern to teach someone in this way without think about money or appreciation. Thanks once again.

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank yo Muhammad. I do not use Altium's CAMtastic feature as I prefer to check my gerber files in a different software as they were generated from. PS: I do not edit gerber files, that is why I do not have any videos about this topic.

[@NonExistChannel]

I can recommend watching on 1.5x speed. Still very helpful video, thank you so much

[@RobertFeranec]

I always watch in 1.5x, sometimes even 2.0 :) Saves a lot of time.

[@bobby9568]

@@RobertFeranec is it possible to watch it in 10x speed?

[@ergindemir7366]

The most critical question is: Are the units in inch or mm? There is usually conversion error from mm to inch. I units can not be changed from inch to mm you have set all the dimensions accordingly otherwise you will get artifacts.

[@ahbushnell1]

it should have the copper weight.

[@MaxWattage]

Very interesting

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you Nicholas

[@sudheerputtapudi99]

Hi Robert , Thanks for your valuable information about it. One question from me , Iam not able to see the Board cut out information in Gerber files. Can you please recommend, how I can view the board cut information in Gerber files.

[@RobertFeranec]

It should be in board outline layer and possibly in some manufacturing notes.

[@sudheerputtapudi99]

@@RobertFeranec , we usually mention the manufacturer to use the specific mechanical layer to cut the PCB Board Cutouts. Thanks for your reply. In Gerber X2 files it's more clear compared to standard Gerber files in terms of board cut out information.

[@gudimetlakowshik3617]

hey robert, great video. I have a doubt. I'm using a custom stackup for my design. Is there any way that I can include this data into my gerbers?? Can that be done by Gerber X2?

[@mcconkeyb]

Most of the cheap Chinese PCB makers don't accept gerber X2 files, well at least they didn't a couple of months ago. :-)

[@movax20h]

Yes, they do. I used X2 for months with few cheap Chinese PCB makers, and it works just fine.

[@angelsASC]

Dear Robert, according to your experience, which is the best CAD for microprocessor circuits design, simulate, and PCB fabrication (all in one)?, I will appreciate your answer.

[@RobertFeranec]

I am sure, for a microcontroller circuit design you can use KiCad. PS: there is no simple answer to what CAD system is the best.

[@electricspark7887]

Sir, kindly request please make video about flexible PCB.

[@RobertFeranec]

It is on my TODO list.

[@shaiks5877]

Hello, My PCB manufacturer came with a request when i sent him gerber X2 files, they say that "the profile layer for the outline, routed slots and cutouts is supplied as countours rather than tracks". not sure what setting do i need to do in gerbes files I am using Altium. when doing the board shape i did Design>boardshape>create premitives from board shape and put it on a mechanical layer. could someone help me out what's the difference and how to create board profile a tracks. Thanks...

You should draw lines in mechanical layer, then select all 4 lines in this layer then Generate Board Layout (I don't recall exact name) in Design->Board Shape. Did you draw a "fill" or "area" instead of lines?

[@skaregowda1471]

Hi I am gowda I need toy drone pcb Gerber can you provide