GerbView is a specialized software tool used in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design to view, inspect, and verify Gerber and drill files before they are sent to a manufacturer.
Because “GerbView” is a name shared by two entirely different popular tools in the electronics industry, it usually refers to one of the following: 1. KiCad’s GerbView (Free & Open Source)
This version is a built-in utility bundled with the widely popular open-source electronic design suite, KiCad.
Core Purpose: It behaves like a digital “photo proof”. After you design a circuit board and generate production files, you open them here to ensure alignment, layers, and drill holes are correct.
Capabilities: Supports viewing up to 32 layers simultaneously, toggling grids, measuring exact component distances, and checking Excellon drill parameters.
Limitations: It is strictly a validation viewer. It does not allow advanced file conversion or layout modification. 2. Software Companions’ GerbView (Commercial Software)
This is an independent, advanced desktop tool developed by Software Companions designed for heavy-duty engineering and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) processing. GerbView Frequently Asked Questions
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