What is a Gerber Import?

Gerber data is still the de-facto format for PCB fabrication. It describes artwork, including conductors, solder masks and drill data. PCB fabricators take it, tweak it, panelize with it and turn it into PCBs. It’s clear what will happen when you export Gerber from eCADSTAR, but what can you do when you import Gerber?
Some very useful things indeed. Things that save you lots of time and help you avoid errors.

Compare and verify

Compare and verify imported artworks, including versions “tweaked” by fabricators, comparing with what’s on your PCBs and making sure your intent hasn’t been lost. eCADSTAR drawing layers exist alongside the
physical layers on your PCB. You can import Gerber data onto a drawing layer and see it together with a physical layer. You can adjust transparency to see differences easily. Review Gerber data without the need for an external viewer.

Reproduce, re-create and re-use

Reproduce, re-create and re-use from photo data, layer-by-layer, reuniting artworks with lost nets and connections. You can duplicate
artwork data that you’ve imported onto a drawing layer directly onto a physical PCB layer. The artwork transforms into real PCB tracks and shapes. At that stage, the tracks don’t know which nets they belong to. You can add those netlabels yourself or you can get eCADSTAR PCB to do it for you. If you drop a component into position, netlabels are assigned automatically, saving a lot of work. eCADSTAR detects connections
without needing identical pin, pad and track reference points.

Panelize

Panelize your PCB design, import Gerber data and arrange your PCBs for maximum economy. They don’t even need to be for the same product.