Gerbers versus a CAD File Standard?Īs the need for PCBs has increased, the number of manufacturers and PCB design software options has grown, as well. And today, the use of Gerbers as the PCB design file standard is being challenged. Since the 1970s, Gerber files or Gerbers have been used as the standard format for design files however, the advent of newer equipment for fabrication and assembly by manufacturers has led to CAD file extension preferences by manufacturers. Any and all information that you can provide including textual descriptions and graphics, to define and clarify your design serves to aid your manufacturer. As either of these scenarios will negatively impact your ability to satisfy your customer requirements, it is imperative that your design file(s) include the essential information needed for your board manufacture that reflects your design intent.Įssentials that must be included are materials, dimensions, PCB layout with traces and drill holes, component data, and placement details. If your design information is inaccurate or incomplete your boards may not be buildable or built, but not perform as intended. The almost exclusive medium for this transfer is the design file extensions. The ability of your design to be brought to life or manufactured depends completely on the transfer of your board specifications to your PCB manufacturer. The Essentials for PCB Design File Formats Altium Designer is designed to alleviate these constraints to your Circuit Board design by providing tools and capabilities, such as the BRD file viewer free download. This may be fine for single designers using a preferred design program however, it creates problems for design teams that may be using multiple design software applications as it restricts team collaboration, design transfers, and the leveraging of previous work.

And after decades of relying on a single design file format, Gerber files, the industry is trending toward the use of native CAD file formats. Consequently, the PCB design software options have expanded as well. The proliferation of electronic systems in virtually every aspect of life has spawned many opportunities for designers and developers to creatively ply their trade.

The industry’s leading unified, comprehensive PCB design software with a BRD file Altium viewer and import capabilities.

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