(10) Gerber file to PCB
The operation steps of Altium Designer to import Gerber and convert to PCB are as follows:
(1) Open the Altium Designer software, execute the "File" → "New" → "Project" command in the menu bar, create a new PCB Project, and create a new CAM document to add into the project, as shown in the figure.
(2) There are two ways to import Gerber files. One is to execute the "File" → "Import" → "Quick Load" command in the menu bar, which can directly import all Gerber files, including drilling files. The other is to import the Gerber file first, and then import the drill file, the effect obtained is the same as the previous method. The import of the Gerber file is shown in the figure.
(3) Click the "OK" button and wait for the software to import the Gerber file and convert it. The effect after conversion is shown in the figure.
(4) After the Gerber file is imported, check whether the stacking is consistent, execute the "Table" → "Layer" command in the menu bar, and set the layer order in the pop-up "Layer Table" dialog box, as shown in the figure.
In order to better identify and set the corresponding stackup, the definition of Gerber file extension for Altium Designer is provided below.
gbl-Gerber Bottom Layer: bottom wiring layer;
gbs-Gerber Bottom Solder Resist: bottom solder resist layer;
gbo-Gerber Botom Overlay: bottom silk screen layer;
gtl-Gerber Top Layer: top wiring layer;
gts-Gerber Top Solder Resist : top solder mask layer;
gto-Gerber Top Overlay: top silk screen layer;
gdl-Gerber Drill Drawing: drilling reference layer;
gm1-Gerber Mechanical1: mechanical 1 layer;
gko-Gerber KeepOut Layer: forbidden wiring layer;
txt-NC Drill Files: drilling layer.
(5) Extract the network table, execute the "Tools" → "Network Table" → "Extract" command in the menu bar to extract the network table, and then view the added network in the CAMtastic panel, as shown in the figure.
(6) If the Gerber file contains IPC-D-365 (IPC netlist file), execute the "Tools" → "Netlist" → "Rename Netlist" command in the menu bar, then the network can be accurately named, If there is no IPC netlist file, ignore this step.
(7) To output the PCB file, execute the "File" → "Export" → "Export to PCB" command in the menu bar to get the PCB file as shown in the figure. So far, the conversion of Gerber files to PCB is completed.
