Eagle... gerber help... - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

stickpin · 18th May 2008, 07:52 PM

Ok so i output the following files: .cmp.sol.plc.stc.sts.drd

Where is the actual gerber file? im guessing all these layers above make a gerber file?
Am i missing something here, is there something else i need to do?

Also can someone recommend a gerber viewer for windows (and free)?

Hope someone can help

**3v0** · 18th May 2008, 08:20 PM

Currently I make my own boards so I have not used any of these files. But sparkfun's batchpcb.com has a Eagle tutorial that could be be helpful to you.

speakerguy79 · 18th May 2008, 09:15 PM

Those are gerbers, Eagle just uses different file extensions to denote which file is which layer. And the drill file should be an Excellon file.

I use eagle and submit those output files directly to my PCB mfg, who only accepts gerbers in RS274X.

CMP is top side copper, SOL is bottom side copper, etc... you can find the definitions in eagle help i think.

CircuitPeople · 13th June 2008, 08:03 PM

Each of those output files is required for having your PCB fabricated by a commercial shop. Specifically:

The .cmp file defines the component side (aka. top, or layer 1) copper
The .sol file defines the solder side (aka. bottom, or layer 2) copper
The .plc file defines the component side slik screen (aka. nomenclature or legend)
The .stc file defines the component side solder mask
The .sts file defines the solder side solder mask (this is getting fun, huh?)
And, finally, the .drd file is is actually not a gerber file. It's an Excellon drill file that defines the sizes and locations of holes to be drilled in the board.

You might be intersted in a website I built to visualize the content of gerber files: CircuitPeople™ Home - View and Share Printed Circuit Board Files Online

You can upload the output from EAGLE or any other CAD system (best to put them all in one .zip file if you can) and it will instantly show nicely rendered images of the file content, and also try to guess the intended use of each of the files. It isn't perfect, but a lot of people are finding it useful.

Here's a sample: CircuitPeople™ - View PCB File Package

Good luck!

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18th May 2008, 07:52 PM	(permalink)
stickpin	Eagle... gerber help... Ok so i output the following files: .cmp.sol.plc.stc.sts.drd Where is the actual gerber file? im guessing all these layers above make a gerber file? Am i missing something here, is there something else i need to do? Also can someone recommend a gerber viewer for windows (and free)? Hope someone can help

18th May 2008, 08:20 PM	(permalink)
3v0	Currently I make my own boards so I have not used any of these files. But sparkfun's batchpcb.com has a Eagle tutorial that could be be helpful to you. __________________ search engine for electronic parts Junebug USB PIC programmer kit., USB Bit Wacker, 3v0's Homepage The 15 Minute Printed Circuit Board! (+drill time)

18th May 2008, 09:15 PM	(permalink)
speakerguy79	Those are gerbers, Eagle just uses different file extensions to denote which file is which layer. And the drill file should be an Excellon file. I use eagle and submit those output files directly to my PCB mfg, who only accepts gerbers in RS274X. CMP is top side copper, SOL is bottom side copper, etc... you can find the definitions in eagle help i think.

13th June 2008, 08:03 PM	(permalink)
CircuitPeople	Each of those output files is required for having your PCB fabricated by a commercial shop. Specifically: The .cmp file defines the component side (aka. top, or layer 1) copper The .sol file defines the solder side (aka. bottom, or layer 2) copper The .plc file defines the component side slik screen (aka. nomenclature or legend) The .stc file defines the component side solder mask The .sts file defines the solder side solder mask (this is getting fun, huh?) And, finally, the .drd file is is actually not a gerber file. It's an Excellon drill file that defines the sizes and locations of holes to be drilled in the board. You might be intersted in a website I built to visualize the content of gerber files: CircuitPeople™ Home - View and Share Printed Circuit Board Files Online You can upload the output from EAGLE or any other CAD system (best to put them all in one .zip file if you can) and it will instantly show nicely rendered images of the file content, and also try to guess the intended use of each of the files. It isn't perfect, but a lot of people are finding it useful. Here's a sample: CircuitPeople™ - View PCB File Package Good luck! __________________ - Need to view your gerber files? Need to share images of them with someone over the web? Visit us at http://www.circuitpeople.com for the best quality rendering and easiest to use Gerber File viewer around!