The limitations of Gerber file

[kumarghz]

Hi,
I have some basic doubts on PCB files formats.

a) What are the limitation of gerber file as compared to original layout file (.bdr for Cadence)?
b) Is one can edit and modify a gerber file to re-fabricate the PCB?
c) Are crucial information such as the impedance, material, dielectric are can be obtained from the gerber file?

Please advice.

thanks
Kumar

 

[GUMY]

a)Gerber file is a sort of "print" file. It contains no information about nets, components,.. only graphical layout.
b)It can be edited with suitable tool
c)No.

 

[marce]

I would do some research as to what the Gerber (and related excellon) format is and what it is used for, it is NOT a PCB file format, it is a collection of post processed data that provides photo tools for the manufacture of a PCB design and has no intelligence embedded regarding the PCB.

 

[Mattylad]

On the other hand....

1) Think about it in reverse - a Gerber file is universal - do you expect every board house to have every PCb CAD package available to them?
2) yes you can but that then changes the data so it does not match the original. not recommended unless you do not have the original any more.
3)No, you can add a drawing that points and tells someone what it is and then output that as a gerber, pdf etc. But in general a gerber is dumb data.

If you can output it look at ODB++

 

[kumarghz]

Hello Guys,
I'm very much appreciate to all the explanations your have given to me.

thanks

regards,
M.Kumar