6 – Importing Gerber Files for Manufacturing Documentation

This chapter focuses on importing Gerber files into AutoCAD for the purpose of preparing manufacturing documentation. Gerber data comprise ASCII text that can be examined with any text editor or the LIST utility. Gerber data contains draws and flashes. The GBR2DXB program requires that all Gerber files have file names with a .GBR extension. In accordance with AutoCAD naming conventions, DXB format files generated by the GBR2DXB program will have a .DXB extension. GBR2DXB can automatically convert an entire batch of plot files without operator intervention. GBR2DXB may not run correctly if memory-resident programs or print/plot spoolers are loaded. The program is not intended to be run from within AutoCAD either as a menu selection or by use of the SHELL command. All text in Gerber photo-plotter files is stroked text. This text data now comprise individual lines. Depending on the speed of the user's processor and the Gerber file size, the conversion process may require a minute or more.