How to open Gerber files in AutoCAD with free open source tools

Forum How to open Gerber files in AutoCAD with free open source tools

M****ong

9545 18 Oct 16.2018, 13:54:21

Here is a method for how you can import a Gerber RS-274X file into AutoCAD. There are many commercial software solutions to perform this, but this is how you can do it for free using open source tools!

You'll need to install and configure (if needed) the following software.

gerbv – this is used to view Gerber files, and can also export to a variety of formats (but not DXF or DWG for AutoCAD)
pstoedit – converts Postscript files to many different other formats
ghostscript – needed by pstoedit

Open your Gerber files in gerbv. This process work for multiple layers as well. You should see your Gerber to make sure it is what it should be.

Export the Gerber set to PostScript. File -> Export -> Postscript…

Optionally, if you don’t need to visually check the Gerber file in gerbv, gerbv supports exporting via the command line, for example:

gerbv -x ps MYGERBER.GTL

Now convert the Postscript (.ps) file to DXF using pstoedit. This is best done on the command line.

pstoedit -f dxf foobar.ps foobar.dxf

Now you should have a .dxf file which you can open in AutoCAD.

Caveats

When working with multiple Gerber files and you export them all at once to one .ps file, and convert them to a single .dxf, all the information comes up in AutoCAD as a single layer, but the original layers can be differentiated by their colours.

However you could manually move different colours to new layers if need be (using QSELECT command in AutoCAD). This probably could be scripted, but that’s a bit beyond my means at the moment.

M****ong

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Great guide on importing Gerber files into AutoCAD! For those who appreciate engaging with detailed tasks, it could be likened to running a successful restaurant in Papa's pizzeria —strategy and precision are key. I appreciate how you highlighted the tools needed. For anyone new to this process, double-checking the layers visually in gerbv first can save a lot of headaches later in AutoCAD. Also, scripting the layer differentiation could be a fun challenge for advanced users!

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