Gerber guide
Why does a Gerber package draw correctly but still have problems?
Short answer
A Gerber package can draw on screen and still disagree with itself. This page explains three common cases and how to see them with our free Gerber viewer.
This is a teaching resource with sample files. It is not a full layer-completeness checker.
Three cases
- Missing board outline. The viewer still draws the copper and mask layers, but it reports that board size is not confirmed. The graphics bounds are not the board dimensions.
- Filename and X2 metadata disagree. A copper file is renamed to look like top copper, but its X2 FileFunction says bottom copper. Compare the filename, the file contents and the export settings yourself. Recent viewer versions use the X2 attribute to identify the layer and show a "Check layer identities" notice.
- Job file points at files that are gone. The .gbrjob still lists a removed or renamed file. The preview can succeed while the job file disagrees.
Try it
- Download the sample pack (three example ZIPs, one per case).
- Load one example at a time into the Gerber viewer.
- Read the layer list, the outline notice and the parser warnings before you trust the drawing.
Limits
- The sample design is a non-functional fictional board. It has not been manufactured.
- A successful preview does not confirm drill data, electrical function, clearances or manufacturability. Real projects still need drill files.
- Parser warnings are shown in the viewer. Read them. Do not treat a drawn image as full X2 support.