Detailed Explanation of the Meaning of Each Layer of PCB Gerber File
For entry-level electronics engineers, especially those unfamiliar with PCB prototyping process, the first time they hear terms like "Gerber file", "solder mask opening", "green/black solder mask", "stencil manufacturing" or "exporting Gerber files to the PCB manufacturer," they may feel confused or overwhelmed. This article focuses on explaining the meaning and functions of each layer in a PCB Gerber file, helping beginners understand the structure and purpose, and preparing them for future prototyping. 1. How to Export Gerber Files After completing the PCB layout design and passing the DRC (Design Rule Check), you can proceed to export the Gerber files. There are typically two ways to export Gerber files: (1) One-Click Export Exports all layers and graphic primitives based on default settings. It does not include drill tables or separate drill information files. (2) Custom Configuration You can customize the co...