What Is Online Gerber File Viewer
What Is Online Gerber File Viewer
A Gerber file viewer refers to software tools that allow viewing and analyzing Gerber
files containing 2D CAD data describing printed circuit board (PCB) designs. Online
Gerber viewers provide the capability to upload Gerber files and visualize PCB
designs within web browsers without needing to install any software.
Understanding online Gerber file viewers enables PCB designers to efficiently inspect
designs, communicate with manufacturers and speed up prototyping iterations.
Gerber files are the standard file format used to transfer PCB design data between
CAD software and PCB manufacturing equipment like photoplotters. Some key
points:
Gerber files are exported layer-wise from PCB design software like Altium Designer
or KiCad before manufacturing. Each layer describes a unique aspect of the PCB
design data.
Sharing PCB designs with manufacturing partners worldwide requires sharing large
Gerber files containing the intricate board details. However, transferring and then
viewing these files on local CAD software is cumbersome. Online Gerber viewers
provide a quick and easy way to visualize the design and collaborate by:
This makes online viewers indispensable tools for PCB designers aiming to speed up
design reviews, manufacturing discussions and prototyping iterations.
Online Gerber viewers offer a suite of features for comprehensive PCB visualization
and inspection:
Multi-layer Preview
Measurements
Sub-micron accuracy
Captures fine features and geometries
Annotation Tools
Cross-section View
3D View
BOM Extraction
File Conversion
The range of analysis, inspection and collaboration features offered make online tools
invaluable for optimizing PCB designs before manufacturing.
Gerber Files
Easy Sharing
Hosted views allow sharing PCB design details with anyone instantly
Accessibility
Ease of Use
Time Savings
Enhanced Visualization
Team Collaboration
Manufacturing Insights
Cost Reduction
Design Validation
By facilitating instant PCB visualization and feedback online without software hassles,
significant time and cost savings can be achieved during product development.
Many free and paid online Gerber viewers provide capabilities for PCB inspection.
The most popular choices are:
Gerber-Viewer.com
ViewMate
JustGerb.com
Tracespace Viewer
CircuitHub
PCBWeb Viewer
The ideal choice depends on specific workflow needs ranging from basic sharing to
tight design tool integration.
Prepare Files
Export separate Gerber files for copper layers, soldermask, silkscreen, drill
and routing
Check Plot
Use Annotation
Capture Images
Iterate Rapidly
Despite immense capabilities, online Gerber viewers also have certain limitations:
Lack advanced PCB editor features only available in full desktop CAD tools
May not render some component 3D models or pad shapes accurately
DRC checks may not be as exhaustive as desktop tools
Annotation capabilities are limited compared to design software
Can handle moderate sized designs but very large boards can get slow
Proprietary data not fully secured compared to local viewers
Require active internet connection unlike standalone tools
Online tools complement but cannot fully replace advanced desktop PCB design
software yet. Secure data transfers and downloads are recommended for proprietary
designs.
As online tools gain more sophisticated capabilities, they are poised to become
integral hubs connecting PCB design, analysis, collaboration, manufacturing and
production workflows in the future.
Conclusion
Online Gerber viewers provide a quick and easy way to visualize, inspect and
collaborate on PCB designs through an accessible online platform. They fill a vital
Gerber viewers enable viewing Gerber files – the standard file format for transferring
PCB design data to manufacturing containing 2D CAD information of the board.
Benefits include easy online sharing, accessibility through browsers, quicker design
reviews and collaboration, rapid iterations and avoiding multiple board fabrication
cycles.
Limitations are lack of full editing features in desktop tools, inability to handle very
large designs, lower data security than local viewers and need for active internet
connection.
Viewing modes
You can open the PCB online Gerber file viewer with PCB editor software in two
modes: online or offline.
In online mode, you can open the software directly from the PCB editor software. The
two are running at in same time. You can use them independently or each other for
cross-checking purposes. For example, you can view the Gerber file in PCB editor
software, change some information and then switch to online Gerber viewer to review
how it affects the Gerber file. You can also check how your layout looks like after
printing it out. Or you can do all three at the same time. You can save the layout to an
external file (it is handy if you need to modify/edit it in another software) and then
reload it to PCB editor software.
You must open the Gerber file with PCB editor software offline, then open the online
Gerber viewer application separately. We use them independently, but no
communication between them. Once you complete your layout in the PCB editor
software, you can save it in Gerber file format. Then launch the online Gerber viewer
application to view and check your layout in the Gerber file. It is also handy if you
need to modify/edit it in some other software.
Step 1: open PCB online Gerber viewer with PCB editor software
1. Launch the PCB editor software you are using and load a Gerber file to open
the layout
2. Go to view>More>Online Gerber Viewer, click it to launch it
3. The system will display the layout in the online Gerber viewer
1. Launch the PCB editor software you are using and load a Gerber file to open
the layout
2. Optional: use the Plus icon to create a new folder and name it as you like
3. The system will display the in the online Gerber viewer
1. Right-click the item highlighted in the following screenshot and selected Close
from the popup menu
2. You will see the Gerber file in offline mode in PCB editor software. You can
edit it there
The option arrow keys will allow you to zoom in for more details, so you can see
exactly where it needs modification.
Layout mode
2D Layout Viewer
You can open with online gbl file Viewer in the 2D layout view. It is useful to view
your layout on a two-dimensional plane, without the PCB design software, by just
using an online Gerber viewer. To do so, go to file>View>Online Gerber Viewer>2D
Layout Viewer.
This view works similarly to Windows Paint, where you can draw lines and shapes
with your mouse. If you have been making PCB layouts for a while, then this will be
familiar to you. You can change the background color with the checkbox in
view>Color>Back; enter a color code there.
The user interface is simple and easy to use. You can drag the screen around to look at
the layout from different angles. You can also right-click on the screen or any object
and select various options from the popup menu.
3D view
You can use a 3D Gerber viewer to see your design from all angles in this model. To
enter 3D view, go to view>3D View or press the F3 key. You can use Alt+Arrow
keys to pan around the screen, scroll up/down using the up/down arrow keys on
the keyboard and rotate by pressing the left/right mouse button on it.
Zoom
Zooming in and out was a common function in the past. In 2D, you can use Ctrl-Z and
Ctrl-Z to zoom in/out, respectively. In the 3D view, you can use the mouse wheel to
zoom in, the Ctrl+Plus key to zoom out, or the Alt+Plus key to reset. You can also
enter the value through the keyboard by pressing NumLock once and the letter you
want to change next time.
Projection
This function works in the 3D mode that you can use to create a perspective view of
your PCB layout. To enter projection view, go to view>Projection. If you want to
restore the default setting, go to Projection>Preset and select default (keep existing
settings).
The zoom must be off when entering projection view. You need to switch it on after
entering the new settings.
Snap to Grid
You can superimpose the grid over your layout to make drawing the tracks easier. The
grid is not visible when working directly on the design, but you will see it in editing
mode or viewing the design. It is useful for making sure your track widths and
spacing’s meet their manufacturing tolerances. To set up a grid:
Go to view>Grid and select Grid (in v0.16, the grid is not available by default,
you need to select it from view>Grid menu or View>More>Grid). It will add a
blue grid line to the layout.
To remove the grid, repeat step one but choose Grid (Off) instead.
If you have made changes to your layout and want to view them again with a
grid on, go to view>More>Grid and select Grid (Recalculate).
To change the size of your grid, go to view>Tools. There are many sizes
available. If you want to calibrate your grid, go to view>Tools>Calibrate grid.
The grid display will only update if you zoom the view in or out or change
your layout.
You cannot edit the directly in the design view. 2 ways are available to do it:
You must draw the rectangle within your design view. It must completely fit within
the boundaries of your layout (not outside and not overlapping any object). It cannot
extend past the last line or first line of the design.
Alignment
This function is useful for aligning objects on the same layer in the same direction. To
align something vertically, choose View>Alignment and select Vertical or Horizontal.
For horizontal alignment, choose View>Alignment and select Horizontal. To align
objects in an angle to cross each other, select view>Alignment, select Angle or
Normal, and click on your track or object. You can use our button to do it.
The define button is at the bottom of this dialog. You can click on the button to open
the following dialog:
Line up two grids with each other. The first grid is the one that goes through your
reference point. Suppose you want to align objects vertically or horizontally with each
other, drag-and-drop one of them into the first column. Then drag the second object
into any column, and click the Match with First/Second Grid button if needed.
The Angle alignment is useful when you want to align objects at an angle to cross
each other. For example, making a wire track on the bottom layer with 45-degree
alignment will cross another wire track on the top layer.
Import Layout
If you are working on another layout in the PCB editor, I recommend you import your
layout with this function to check your design easily. To import your layout, go to
file>Import Layout. The ‘Import Layout’ dialog will appear. Then go to the directory
where you saved your design and select the file.
Export Layout
You can export your layout in Gerber or Import it into another PCB editor with this
function. To export, go to file>Export Layout… The ‘Export Layout’ dialog will
appear. Select the target directory where you want to save it, then enter a name for
your file in Output File. You can also select the output format through File Format.
Snap Resolution
The resolution determines the minimum increment that tracks. You can change it by
going to view>Tools or enter a value for this parameter directly into the toolbar. Set
this value in one mil (1/1000 inches). The default setting is one mil, and there is no
other significant increment. The highest possible setting will be 0.0187” (8 mils).
Draw Mode
To switch between the various drawing modes, go to view>Draw Mode. There are
also options for scaling the view. The choices are Independent or Relative scaling.
With independent scaling, you scale each object separately to see whether they are in
proportion to one another easily. Relative scaling scales everything according to its
distance from the viewport (the boundary around your layout) and does not take
objects into account that are outside of it (i.e., off-screen).
To switch to a different drawing mode, check the appropriate checkbox above the list,
and select a drawing mode from the drop-down menu. There are also options for
scaling the view. The choices are Independent or Relative scaling. With independent
scaling, you scale each object separately to see whether they are in proportion to one
another easily. Relative scaling scales everything according to its distance from the
viewport (the boundary around your layout) and does not take objects into account
that are outside of it (i.e., off-screen).
Line Style
To change the line style, go to view>Line Style. There are many types of lines
available. Please visit view>Line Style for details.
Text Style
To change the text style, go to view>Text Style. There are three text styles available,
each with different options. For more information on how to use them, refer to the
Text section of this tutorial.
Hatch Pattern
To change the hatch pattern, go to view>Hatch Pattern. There are many types of hatch
available. Please visit view>Hatch Pattern for details.
Layer
To change the layer, go to view>Layers or click on the Layer button in the toolbar.
The layers dialog appears, then you can use it to switch between layers, set the layer
color and properties.
Layer Color
You can use the view>Layer Color command to change the color of your active layer.
The Layer Color dialog appears, then you can choose either Solid Color or Gradient.
If you choose Gradient, you need to set Start and End colors.
Layer Properties
In the layers dialog, you have a list of all your layers. In there, you can check the
color for your layer. If you click on the triangle beside the layer name, a dialog will
appear where you can set properties for your layer. You can set Layer Name,
Description, Orginal Size, and Position.
PCB online Gerber viewer supports PCB editing functions. It includes cube selection,
layer stacking determination, wiring management, data transmission line generation,
hole drill generation, and auto-printing.
PCB online Gerber viewer supports drag-and-drop, which makes the different editing
functions very convenient.
PCB online Gerber viewer supports hotkeys for easy access and quick operation.
A PCB fabrication service company has developed an online PCB graphic tool with a
very simple user interface. This tool allows you to view your Gerber files anytime and
anywhere you go, with the facility of storing them on the company’s live web page. It
is just a normal jpeg image file that you have uploaded to the web pages. You can also
download the Gerber viewer free of charge. Working with global manufacturers such
a RayMing PCB and Assembly will help ensure that your product will be up to
standard since they are using some of the best tools as Gerber viewer.
To open your Gerber file, first, you should download it from your PCB
manufacturer or reseller. Then open the Gerber file with GERBER_FILE_WIZARD.
To open the dialog, you need to go to file>Open. The ‘Open’ dialog will appear. If
you have already downloaded your Gerber file, select the directory where you stored
it and enter its name into File Name. Then click on Open
To view your Gerber file, first, you should create a file, then open the Gerber file with
GERBER_VIEWER. To open the dialog, you need to go to file>Open. The ‘Open’
dialog will appear. If you have already created a file and opened the Gerber file in it,
click on Open.
Gerber Viewer
Gerber Viewer is an editor for viewing Gerber files which one writes in C++. It is a
cross-platform tool, so it will support all platforms, including Linux and Mac OS X.
You can view your Gerber files online instantly after downloading the Gerber file
from your PCB manufacturer or reseller. Just click the button, and the Gerber file will
appear in your browser. You can then download it or save it into your local system.
There are free online Gerber viewers who support viewing both single and multiple
Gerber files. You can view these files very easily after you have downloaded them
from your PCB manufacturer or reseller. You can drag the file onto the window. If
you want to zoom in, double-click the window, or use [Ctrl] [Mouse wheel].
You can view your Gerber files in this tool anytime and anywhere you go, once you
have captured them with your camera or scanner, and then uploaded the image to their
website, where they have a special section for PCB design projects.
The first two are free online Gerber viewers that allow you to view your Gerber files
anytime and anywhere you go. After you have captured them with your camera or
scanner, upload the image to the website and then view them at any time.
Eagle CAD
Eagle is a combined schematic and layout editor and is part of the Electronics
Workbench (EWB) suite (www.electronics-workbench.com). Working
with schematics and boards in Eagle breaks down into three steps: creating a new
design, modifying it, or backing it up for later editing.
It is a free online component editor by Universal Devices Inc. that makes a wide range
of embedded system products, including the MAX232 serial I/O IC,
MAX4630 temperature sensor IC, and MAX6675 absolute temperature sensor IC. So
you can use this block editor to view your Gerber files at anytime and anywhere you
want as it supports both viewing and editing of these files and viewing of schematics
and boards made by them too.
Eagle CAD Block Editor can view the schematics and boards created by Eagle CAD.
This component editor can easily view the Gerber files edited by Eagle CAD as it
automatically supports viewing of edited Gerber files.
SparkFun
The schematic capture and board layout software used in the SparkFun Electronics
open-hardware library is OpenOffice OrgChart (www.openofficeorgchart.org). It is a
schematic capture and board layout software developed by OrgChart Team for editing
and drawing organization charts. This tool does not support Gerber file viewing, but it
supports the open-source Gerber file format, which is not viewable in most tools or
online viewers.
Eagle Library
There is an online library for eagle parts called eagle lib (www.eaglelib.net). It is a
library of Eagle parts and contains 3D models for many components. You can view
your eagle parts anytime and anywhere you go. Once you have captured them with
your camera or scanner, you can upload them to this site.
This library also hosts the eagle file format (EAGLE), used to store board designs
made in Eagle. This library supports many different PCB manufacturers and PCB
designers too.
Thus, this library will also store your Gerber files if you mark them in EAGLE file
format.
DesignSpark PCB
You can easily view the Gerber files created by DesignSpark PCB by Sparkfun, Eagle
CAD, and eagle lib.
But it is challenging to view them in most online tools or website viewers because
Sparkfun, Eagle CAD, and eagle lib support the open-source Gerber file format,
which is not viewable in most tools and website viewers.
We can find Max on many different sites, but the best one is the original site designed
to teach programming to artists and non-technical people.
The online version of Max is an interactive board editor released under the GNU GPL.
It uses the Processing language library, which depends on Java.
Processing
We can find Processing in many different sites, but the best one is the original site
designed to teach programming to artists and non-technical people.
Conclusion
The future of PCB design and manufacturing requires the use of open-source Gerber
files. They will allow anyone to share their designs with anyone else and provide a
way to view those designs for those who don’t have the right equipment or software.
The ability to share Gerber files means anyone can create and view open-source
PCBs.
To create a new design, you must view the Gerber file, part of your design. Without
Gerber file viewing in CAD tools, it won’t be easy to develop new designs.
The old way of storing the Gerber files on a website is no longer a good solution as
most people only have access to a few websites. If a person wants to view your
Gerber files, they must know where they are and how to look for them.
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