Gerber Files.

Archive BatchPCB
1

I wish to make a 2 layer board and I’m trying to submit my design to the sparkfun electronics (www.batchpcb.com). I’ve 2 Questions. First, Which type of gerber should I specify while generating the artwork ? I have few options like

Gerber 6x00

Gerber 4x00

Gerber RS274X

Barco DPF

MDA

I’m confused. I appreciate your support.

Also, for time being I’ve chosen Gerber 6x00 but when I submitting this design, I’m getting errors.

Also, they ask us to specify differen layers. In that I’ve understood

DRILL FILE

SM TOP

SM BOTTOM

But, what does these layers mean ?

KEEP OUT LAYER

TOP COPPER

TOP SILKSCREEN

BOTTOM COPPER

BOTTOM SILKSCREEN

Please help me, as I’ve to complete the design very soon.

2

Hi,krishnanice

*You can specify Gerber RS274X format,because most of the manufacture like this format.It would be easy for them to open.

*KEEP OUT LAYER–maybe some layer like an outline.I cannot make sure.

TOP COPPER-----top layer pattern

TOP SILKSCREEN----top layer legend

BOTTOM COPPER----bottom layer pattern

BOTTOM SILKSCREEN—bottom layer legend

I wish my above info. can be of a little help for you.

Regards,

george

3

Hmm I’d figure the solder mask layer would be the hardest to understand. Just to make sure… the soldermask is basically the green (in this case) layer that seals in everything as well as avoids shorting out stuff with solder.

Anyways… the keep out layer is specified to basically mask out stuff. Typically this isn’t needed in most designs. At least I never had a reason to use it.

4

Hello Sir,

In Cadence, Gerber files are the ones with *.ART extension ? I’m not Quite sure. I appreciate your help.

george:
Hi,krishnanice

*You can specify Gerber RS274X format,because most of the manufacture like this format.It would be easy for them to open.

*KEEP OUT LAYER–maybe some layer like an outline.I cannot make sure.

TOP COPPER-----top layer pattern

TOP SILKSCREEN----top layer legend

BOTTOM COPPER----bottom layer pattern

BOTTOM SILKSCREEN—bottom layer legend

I wish my above info. can be of a little help for you.

Regards,

george

5

krishnanice:
Hello Sir,

In Cadence, Gerber files are the ones with *.ART extension ? I’m not Quite sure. I appreciate your help.

File extensions follow very loose standards. *.art is also used for the final artwork file produced by Vutrax.

I’ve seen extensions of .001 .002 .003 used for Gerber layers.

The trick is to provide a ReadMe ‘spec’ plain text file to detail what files you are providing along with their names, what they contain and what format they are in. e.g.

|=============================================================|

| Gerber files are to the standard RS-274X format |

| (Implied integer places = 4. Implied integer fractions = 4) |

|=============================================================|

MYBOARDcu1.gbx is the top side copper tracking

|=====================================================|

| Drill files are to the standard Excellon 2 format |

| Trailing Zeros suppressed, Absolute, Imperial |

| (Digits = 2 Integer, 4 Decimal) |

|=====================================================|

MYBOARDdp.drl is an Excellon drill file used to create PT Holes

MYBOARDdn.drl is an Excellon drill file used to create Non-PT Holes

|=====================================================|

| Mill files are to the standard Excellon 2 format |

| Trailing Zeros suppressed, Absolute, Imperial |

| (Digits = 3 Integer, 4 Decimal) |

|=====================================================|

MYBOARD.rou is an Excellon Mill/Rout file to create Non-PT slot.

george:
Hi,krishnanice

*You can specify Gerber RS274X format,because most of the manufacture like this format.It would be easy for them to open.

RS274X is pretty much an industry standard these days in that it has the advantage of embedded apertures which means you don’t have to provide an additional file detailing the ‘D’ codes and their aperture size.

Hope this helps.