Gerber PCB physical geometry to SW?

[TheTick]

I have someone in another division on the other side of the planet working on a PCB design. He sent me a bunch of Gerber files. I don't have access to anything that reads Gerber files.

Is there anyone out there familiar with PCB Gerber design who can tell what export formats are available? What would be the best thing to ask for?

Thanks in advance...

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[aamoroso]

My understanding of Gerber files is this:

The output file is a text file of Geometric shapes, locations and sizes. They basically just geometric coordinates.

I think, not sure, they can provide DXF or Iges, those are probably your best bet, but I am not expert on it.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Most PCB programs that output Gerber files can also output DXF.

For Gerber readers (& possible different export formats) check

http://www.cimmetry.com/Gerber_Viewer.html

http://www.softwarecompanions.com/gbupdate500.html

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[VRxdcr]

We use Artwork Conversion Software's ASM502 to generate Gerber files for PWB manufacture and DXF's for importing into SW. Works pretty well for us.

http://www.artwork.com

John

 

[PDMAdmin]

Tick,

See if your PCB team can output IDF files. (They have the extension .EMN and .EMP) SW2005 gives you the ability to import such files, or if you're not on 2005, you can use the CircuitWorks add-on. I am not aware of a way to import Gerber files directly into SW.

 

[CADGemini]

PDMAdmin,

Solidworks will import IDF files, however when they come in the mounting holes come in as square features extruded on the surface. We had to create a macro that will actually turn these into holes. But IDF seems to work the quickest for us to get data from the PCB guys to the Mechanical guys.

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Solidworks 2005 SP2.0

 

[Heckler]

Tick,

Depending what program the PCB was designed in. We use orcad and use AutoCAD as a interface. I generate stayout zones then send a DWG/DXF to ORCAD. A while back SWx Corp had a solid solutions partner that produced circuit-works that anabled SWx to read in Gerber data and it created the board assembly. This data could be shared bidirectional. A real slick tool but back then we didn't have the $$$$$ to purchase.

Best Regards,

Heckler

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[SolidsMaster]

Yeah, we look into CircuitWorks some time ago, it had only two draw backs for us. Price, (was 5g at the time), and we use Pads for pcb design, which was the worst software it interfaced with..they did have a free download that limited you to about 10 components placed on the board. One trick was that the pcb designers didn't use heights in their library, so it would only put in a fixed height, not a CW problem. We ended up doing plain DXFs from PADS.

John

 

[StiLLiving]

I'm dealing with PCBs quite often. I always ask our PCB design group for IGES data.
I'm using AutoCAD as interface/first step to clean up the files from unnecessary data and then open it in SW, generating model with the features I need for the design.
I found this is the most practical way so far...

Regards,
G