13 Best Free Gerber Viewer For YRAYPCB Design

What is a Gerber Viewer?

A Gerber viewer is a software tool used to view and inspect Gerber files, which contain the design data needed to manufacture printed circuit boards (PCBs). Gerber files use the RS-274X format to describe the copper layers, solder mask, legend, and drill holes required to fabricate a PCB.

A good Gerber viewer allows you to open these files, view the PCB design from different angles, inspect individual layers, and check for any errors or issues before sending the files off for manufacturing. This helps ensure the PCB will be produced correctly without defects.

While PCB design software usually has built-in Gerber viewing capabilities, standalone Gerber file viewer applications are also available, including many free open source options. These provide a quick and easy way to view Gerber files without needing to install full PCB design software.

Key Features to Look for in a Gerber Viewer

When evaluating Gerber viewer software, here are some of the key features and capabilities to look for:

• Supports RS-274X Gerber file format
• Opens and displays Gerber files quickly
• Renders all PCB Layers including copper, solder mask, silk screen, and drill holes
• Allows toggling individual layers on/off for inspection
• Provides 2D and 3D viewing modes
• Measures distances between points and objects
• Checks for design rule violations
• Exports images of the PCB design
• Runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems
• Has an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
• Offers good documentation and user support

The best Gerber viewers offer most or all of these features in a free, lightweight, reliable application. Let’s take a look at 13 of the top free Gerber file viewers available.

1. KiCad GerbView

KiCad is a popular open source suite for PCB design that includes a capable Gerber viewer called GerbView. GerbView was built from the ground up to be a fast, efficient, and intuitive Gerber viewer.

Key features include:
– Excellent rendering quality for all layers
– Support for RS-274X and several other formats
– Measurement tool for checking object sizes
– DRC engine for detecting common design issues
– Exports PNG, PDF, and SVG images of PCB
– Customizable display colors for each layer
– Runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS

GerbView is included when you install the free KiCad PCB design package, or you can download the standalone version.

2. Ucamco UcamX

Ucamco is the company that maintains the official Gerber format specification, so their free UcamX viewer is the definitive standard Gerber file viewing application. It’s an advanced viewer with powerful features for analyzing and inspecting PCB designs.

Key features include:
– Extremely fast and efficient RS-274X parser
– Panelize feature to arrange PCBs for manufacturing
– Automated and manual measurement tools
– Netlist compare to verify Gerber matches schematic
– Generate assembly drawings and pick & place files
– Customizable keyboard shortcuts for all functions
– Available for Windows only

While some of its advanced features can be complex, UcamX is still fairly easy to learn for basic Gerber viewing and remains one of the most powerful free viewers.

3. Pentalogix ViewMate

ViewMate is the free Gerber viewer included with Pentalogix’s commercial PCB Tools. It’s a reliable Windows-based viewer that supports a variety of PCB file formats.

Key features include:
– Supports Gerber, drill, mill, and NCP files
– 1-up, 2-up, or 4-up panelized viewing modes
– Netlist compare to check vs schematic
– Analyze feature to identify potential issues
– Tools to optimize PCB Panelization
– Exports JPEG, DXF, and Gerber files
– Available for Windows only

ViewMate packs a lot of functionality into an intuitive user interface. Beginners and advanced users alike will find it to be a capable free Gerber viewer.

4. Online Gerber Viewer

The Online Gerber Viewer is a web-based application for viewing Gerber files in your browser with no software installation required. Simply drag and drop your Gerber and drill files onto the web page.

Key features include:
– View RS-274X, Excellon drill, and IPC-D-356 files
– Toggle layers individually or view all combined
– Inspect any spot on the PCB, even between layers
– Measure distances or sizes of any object
– Export PNG image of PCB design
– Secure, client-side only processing of files
– Works on any platform with a modern web browser

While it may lack some advanced features compared to standalone programs, the Online Gerber Viewer is incredibly convenient for quickly viewing PCB designs from any device.

5. Gerbv

Gerbv is a free, open source, cross-platform Gerber file viewer that supports Linux, Windows, and macOS. It was originally created by Simon Richter in 2001 and has been actively developed and maintained since then.

Key features include:
– Renders RS-274X, drill, and pick & place files
– Export PCBs as PNG, PDF, SVG, or Postscript
– Command line interface for automated processing
– Clearly shows aperture list and D-codes
– Translations for interface in several languages
– Works on Linux, Windows and macOS
– Open source under the GNU General Public License

Gerbv may not be the fanciest, but it’s a reliable open source Gerber viewer that gets the job done. Automated processing via the CLI is a differentiating feature.

6. FABtotum

FABtotum is an online Gerber viewer that goes beyond just viewing to provide additional tools for preparing PCB designs for manufacturing, all from your web browser.

Key features include:
– View and inspect RS-274X and Excellon drill files
– Measure tool for checking distances and sizes
– DFM analysis identifies manufacturing issues
– Panelize boards into arrays for production
– Generate assembly drawings and coordinates
– Export Gerber, drill, and assembly files
– Secure, encrypted file processing and storage

With its focus on manufacturing preparation, FABtotum almost feels like a light, web-based CAM tool. It’s a great option for DFM checks before placing an order.

7. CircuitPeople

CircuitPeople Gerber Viewer is another free online tool for inspecting PCB design files. It boasts a quick, easy-to-use interface and conveniences like automatic file format detection.

Key features include:
– Supports Gerber, drill, netlist, and BOM files
– Automatically detects file types – no setup needed
– Toggle any individual layer on or off
– Measure tool for checking sizes and clearances
– Screen capture lets you copy any PCB view
– Completely client-side – no files uploaded
– Works in any modern web browser

While it may lack more advanced features, CircuitPeople is a reliable web-based Gerber file viewer that makes it easy to quickly inspect PCB designs.

8. Mayhew Labs’ 3D Gerber Viewer

Most Gerber viewers display the PCB design data in a 2D top-down view, but this unique web-based tool from Mayhew Labs renders PCBs in a 3D perspective view. This provides a realistic representation of the final board.

Key features include:
– Gerber and drill file support
– Attractive 3D rendering of PCB
– Rotate and zoom with mouse/touch
– Toggle visibility of individual layers
– Measure tool for checking sizes
– Privacy-friendly client-side processing
– Works on any modern web browser

The 3D perspective view really makes PCB designs “pop” visually. While it lacks groundbreaking features, this tool’s 3D rendering makes it noteworthy among online viewers.

9. ZofzPCB

ZofzPCB is an open source desktop Gerber file viewer available for Windows and Linux. Its simple interface and swift rendering make it a good choice for quickly inspecting PCBs.

Key features include:
– Fast, accurate rendering of Gerber files
– Supports step-and-repeat panelized designs
– Toggle layers and view a layers list
– Automatically calculates board dimensions
– Reads aperture list and shows D-codes
– Open source under the GNU GPL license
– Runs on Windows and Linux

ZofzPCB proves that a good Gerber viewer doesn’t need to be complex. It’s a zippy open source tool for rapidly reviewing PCB designs.

10. Gerber Plotter

Gerber Plotter is a simple, lightweight Gerber viewer for macOS. It distinguishes itself with a novel “human friendly” rendering mode that helpfully color codes the PCB layers.

Key features include:
– Quickly loads Gerber RS-274X files
– “Human friendly” colors for copper, mask, etc.
– View PCB in normal and high contrast modes
– Toggle any layer with a click
– Measure distances or sizes of objects
– Completely offline, never uploads files
– Runs on macOS 10.9 or later

Gerber Plotter is a fast, easy-to-use macOS Gerber viewer with a neat color-enhanced viewing mode. The downside is there’s no Windows version.

11. PCB-Investigator

PCB-Investigator is an online Gerber inspection tool from EasyLogix, makers of PCB Editor. The web interface allows uploading a zip file of Gerber layers and quickly toggling between them.

Key features include:
– View Gerber and NC drill files
– Toggle layers individually or combined
– Highlight nets passing through drills
– Inspect drilling sites and diameter
– Examine any layer for printing defects
– Secure client-side storage and processing
– Works in any modern web browser

PCB-Investigator has a basic interface but could be a good choice if you specifically need to examine drill layers and the alignment of drills between layers.

12. PCB Visualizer

PCB Visualizer is a free, open source PCB design viewer for Windows, developed by Gavin Syme. It loads Gerber files individually or from zip archives and allows viewing layers in 2D or 3D.

Key features include:
– Supports RS-274X and Excellon drill
– Attractive 2D and 3D board views
– Toggle or combine layers arbitrarily
– Hover to highlight pad nets and traces
– Exports SVG images of the PCB design
– Completely offline, never uploads data
– Open source under the Apache license

PCB Visualizer is straightforward and easy to use. The drilled hole highlight and attractive board rendering set it apart. Unfortunately it’s Windows-only.

13. CircuitStudio

CircuitStudio Gerber Viewer is a web-based tool that’s fast, free, and easy to use. It was developed by Circuit Studio LLC as a browser-based complement to their EDA software.

Key features include:
– Quickly loads Gerber files from a zip
– Inspect and toggle individual layers
– Measure distance or object dimensions
– Examine drill holes and via spans
– Design rule checking (DRC) tools
– Client-side – no files ever uploaded
– Works on any web browser platform

CircuitStudio is a snappy and capable online PCB viewer. Use it for rapid web-based checks before submitting a design for manufacturing.

Gerber Viewer Feature Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gerber file format?

Gerber is a vector image file format used to describe the printed circuit board (PCB) layers and manufacturing information needed to fabricate PCBs. It was originally developed by Gerber Systems Corp., now Ucamco.

Are Gerber files necessary for manufacturing PCBs?

Yes, PCB designers must generate Gerber files from their EDA or PCB design software and provide them to the manufacturing vendor to fabricate their boards. Gerber is the standard format used in the electronics industry for PCB fabrication data.

What does a Gerber file contain?

A Gerber file contains the coordinates and shapes of things like copper traces, solder mask outlines, legends, vias, and holes. This data is separated into different files for each layer of the PCB, such as the top and bottom copper, solder mask, silk screen, and drill layers.

How do I view Gerber files?

You need a Gerber viewer application to open and display Gerber (.gbr) files. There are many free Gerber file viewer programs you can download, as well as web-based online viewer tools that allow you to see your PCB design without needing to install any software.

Can I edit Gerber files?

Most Gerber viewer applications are read-only, so you cannot directly edit the design data. That is typically done in the PCB design software. However some more advanced Gerber file viewers have limited editing features, like removing layers, panelizing the design, or exporting certain layers.

Conclusion

If you design PCBs, a good Gerber viewer application is an essential tool to inspect and verify your designs before sending them off for manufacturing. The 13 free Gerber viewers covered here are all excellent options providing the essential features needed to get the job done.

For my top picks, I’d have to go with KiCad GerbView for a powerful desktop viewer, since it has advanced features and is open source. For online viewing, the CircuitStudio Gerber Viewer is fast and full-featured within the convenience of a web browser.

Whichever Gerber file viewer you choose, you’ll be able to load your design files, examine the PCB layers individually or in combination, and check that everything looks correct before generating the final manufacturing files. Being able to quickly view Gerber files is a key capability for ensuring your PCBs are designed and produced as intended.