Gerber Viewer for Android™

Community PCB Design
1

Hello all,

I’m currently developing a RS-274X Gerber Viewer for the Android platform. I’m still in testing phase.

All my testing are performed with generated Gerber files from the CAM processor in CadSoft Eagle.

During the development of the application I found out that the Gerber file generated by Eagle aren’t

100 % the smae as stated in the RS274X specification. There are some minor differences which matters

for how my application functionate.

That’s why I asking for your help.To continue testing my application I need Gerber files generated

from a PCB layout editor other than CadSoft Eagle. You could be a great help if you sent me Gerber

files to the following email address: android.gerber.viewer[at]gmail.com

New app: [Gerber Viewer

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mkhU4 … SmrvA=h310 _https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ybi9p … aeSGs=h310

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7Qb3z … j9K_d=h310_https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kYlvD … qS21k=h310

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/viUp1 … 9LBPQ=h310_https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mwwDs … Ah8oM=h310

Greetings,

Duccan](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duccan.gerberviewer)

2

I’ve just sent you Gerbers for a Pulsonix design of mine.

3

Leon, thanks for the gerber files.

It seem that there are indeed some minor differences with the Pulsonix and Eagle gerber files.

I had to make a few changes to make the Pulsonix gerber files work.

4

Although I have a Dell Streak tablet running Android, I can’t see me ever checking my Gerbers on it. I normally use GC-Prevue on my PC.

5

I do find it quite useful to have all my schematics and board layouts within reach without a computer.

6

Ditto the above, cant see the use of it myself - however possibly useful for sales guys that have ipads :slight_smile:

I have sent files from Easy-PC, Altium and CADSTAR for you to try.

Do you also open drill files?

Hopefully there will be a use for it, perhaps when pc’s become completely replaced with mobiles :smiley:

7

Awesome idea Duccan! Look forward to seeing it up on the Android market!

8

Thanks rrpilot! With all the gerber files I have received I have made many improvement with my application. It will be soon when my app hits the Android market.

9

I take it you got the ones from me?

If you need more from CADSTAR let me know.

Have you also catered for drill files?

You could also work on the IPC2581 format and be the first to release the android viewer for that.

http://webstds.ipc.org/2581/2581intro.htm

http://webstds.ipc.org/2581/2581.htm

There are a couple of PC viewers for 2581 xml format now but thats about all - so its a developing market.

I suppose that there could be a use for it, although if you can charge for it - I doubt it as GC-Prevue etc are free for on the PC so who’s going

to pay to mess around putting it on a phone or tablet?

I suppose someone who travels for hours by train and may want to check them while travelling… :slight_smile:

10

Yes I have received your gerber files. My app view them properly.

As for the drill files. My app doesn’t render these. I will update this for

the next version.

I have submitted [Android Gerber Viewer in the market!

There is a free version available and a donate version available.](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duccan.androidgerberviewer)

11

[Android Gerber Viewer Free

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6498/qrcode3740318.png

[Android Gerber Viewer

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/3072/paid.png](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duccan.androidgerberviewer)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duccan.androidgerberviewerfree)

12

Hey Duccan,

I’m unable to open Gerbers from my SD card, error: “Error Opening SD Card” on Motorolla Droid. Would be nice to overlay multiple layers as well.

13

I see. Create a folder in the root of the SD Card called “GerberFiles”

Probably something goes wrong creating the folder.

I’m looking into in right now…

14

I found the bug.

Before I write to the SD Card, I check if it is possible.

I performed the check on a folder which not yet existed.

So that´s the error.

I will publish the new version right away.

EDIT: Version 0.1.1 now available

15

The application now crashes upon loading my Gerber from DesignSpark, unfortunately I cannot give you my Gerber.

16

To bad. Unless I have the Gerber file, I cannot adjust the application to make it compatible…

17

What file extension does your application use? Do I just need to put the .GTD file in the Gerber Files folder? I am using OrCAD Layout to create gerbers.

18

Just place the gerber files in the gerber file folder or anywhere on the SD card. Extensions doesn’t matters. The Orcad gerber files I’ve tested works.

19

How is this project going now?

20

Pretty good. Got 2000+ downloads.

I’ve released a couple updates since the initial release.

Haven’t worked on it quite a while though…

But I’m pretty happy with the result :slight_smile: