Gerber files are the standard format used to transfer PCB design data to fabrication and assembly companies. Gerber viewers allow engineers and designers to visualize these files during the design review process. They translate the abstract Gerber data into more intuitive images showing traces, pads, drill holes, copper fills, and other key features.
Choosing the right Gerber viewer is critical for verifying that manufactured boards will match the source design. The best viewers balance usability, accuracy, supported features, and pricing relevant to your workflow.
This guide covers 10 of the most popular, full-featured Gerber viewers used across the electronics design industry.
Overview of Gerber Viewer Capabilities
Before diving into the top tools, here is a quick overview of key capabilities offered among modern viewers:
General Features
- Import/export various Gerber and drill file formats
- Visual layers manager
- Measure distances and features
- Annotation tools
- Image export options
Accuracy
- Correct visualization of aperture shapes
- Maintain designed layer alignment
- Match impedance rules and constrained areas
Functionality
- Work with data from any PCB design software
- Handle flex, rigid-flex, and high-speed designs
- Review against IPC standards for manufacturing
Advanced Capabilities
- 3D step model imports
- Design rule checks and collision detection
- Analyze signal integrity
- Automated annotations
- Scriptable APIs for customization
With those abilities in mind, below are 10 of the most full-featured, trusted options on the market:
1. Altium Viewer
Overview – One of the most advanced free Gerber viewers, offered by the Altium PCB design software company.
Key Features
- Layers panel with excellent visual management
- Measurements, markers, regions, and other annotations
- 3D view with configurable lighting and rotations
- Cross-section views through multi-layer boards
- Report generation of design data
Pros
- Free with no restrictions
- Easy setup and intuitive UI
- Advanced visualization and analysis
- Feature-rich compared to paid tools even
Cons
- Less customizable compared to paid Altium tool suite
Website: www.altium.com/viewer
2. Gerbv
Overview – Open-source Linux Gerber viewer with releases across Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Key Features
- High-speed rendering for opening large designs
- Plugin architecture supports customization
- Standard annotating and measuring tools
- Drill-hole visualization and analysis
- Batch scripting capabilities
Pros
- Lightweight and fast
- Very customizable via plugins
- Cross-OS support
- Large file handling
- Free and open-source
Cons
- Basic default functionality
- Dated graphics rendering engine
- Limited documentation for plugins
Website: gerbv.geda-project.org
3. ViewMate Pro
Overview – Professional Gerber viewer for precise PCB visualization, reviews, and analysis.
Key Features
- Advanced 2D/3D viewing plus drill tables
- Measurement tools with tolerances
- Netlist extraction
- Design rule checking
- Batch scripting for automation
Pros
- Easy-to-use for most features
- Powerful viewing matched to design files
- Excellent technical support
- Feature-packed for the price
Cons
- Fairly expensive subscription model
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Website: www.oroscheme.com
4. Pentalogix ViewMate
Overview – Long-standing viewer well proven across defense, aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics industries.
Key Features
- Multi-layer 2D and 3D viewing
- Annotation tools like arrows, callouts, dimensions etc
- Analyze against IPC standards
- Design rule checking
- Batch scripting for recurring tasks
Pros
- Robust feature set
- Accurate PCB visualization
- Trusted across industries
- Good usability
Cons
- Expensive licenses
- Steep learning curve
Website: www.pentalogix.com
5. Trace Signal Pro
Overview – Specialized importer tailored for working with Gerber data in the popular SOLIDWORKS 3D modeling tool.
Key Features
- One-click import into native SOLIDWORKS
- PCB visualization in SOLIDWORKS
- Annotate and measure PCB directly
- Collaborate through SOLIDWORKS tools
- Integrates with rest of MCAD workflow
Pros
- Deep integration into SOLIDWORKS
- Leverage existing workflows
- Robust visualization options in SW
Cons
- Only useful for SOLIDWORKS users
- Very expensive addon
Website: www.tracesignalpro.com
6. EasyEDA Gerber Viewer
Overview – Hassle-free online Gerber viewer requiring no install. Integrates with popular EasyEDA circuit design tools.
Key Features
- Intuitive layer controls
- Annotation tools
- Design rule checking
- 3D step model imports
- Circular references to PCB editor
Pros
- Zero install as online tool
- Good feature set for free tool
- Easy integration for full workflow
Cons
- Must upload files to cloud server
- Slow performance due to browser environ
Website: gerber-viewer.easyeda.com
7. PCB Viewer Pro
Overview – Full-capability viewer focused on electronics industry professionals.
Key Features
- 2D/3D realistic visualization
- Measurement and annotation
- Layer-based images exports
- Customizable color themes
- Batch scripting for automation
Pros
- Ease of use
- Broad capabilities
- Good licensing terms
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- Clunkier interface than some
Website: www.electronicdesingsolutions.com
8. Whizzers ProtoView
Overview – Quality commercial viewer supporting a spectrum of engineering file formats.
Key Features
- Multi-layer 2D and 3D views
- Measurement tools
- Annotations like markers, arrows, text
- Image export capability
- Scriptable via JavaScript
Pros
- Very fast rendering
- Affordable pricing
- Good format support
Cons
- Fairly basic features
- Less intuitive view controls
Website: www.whizzers.com/protoview
9. TraceParts PCB Viewer
Overview – Capable free viewer tailored for electronics component research.
Key Features
- 2D Gerber and drill viewing
- Dimension measurements
- PCB cross-section tool
- Annotations
Pros
- Simple and intuitive UI
- Integration with parts library
- Good speed and rendering
- Free with no limits
Cons
- Fairly basic features overall
- Requires parts library signup
Website: www.traceparts.com
10. PCB Utilities GEDviewer
Overview – No frills Gerber and drill file viewer available free for hobbyists.
Key Features
- View Top and Bottom Copper
- Switch between layers
- Basic annotation tools
- Export images
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Good speed
- Free with no limits
Cons
- Very limited features
- No updates in years
Website: pcbutilities.com
Gerber Viewer Comparison Table
| Viewer | Pricing | Main Pros | Main Cons | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altium Viewer | Free | Feature-rich; intuitive | Less customization | 9/10 |
| Gerbv | Free | Lightweight; customizable | Dated interface | 7/10 |
| ViewMate Pro | Subscription | Accuracy; analysis | Cost; learning curve | 8/10 |
| Pentalogix ViewMate | Per license | Proven; trusted | Cost; complexity | 7/10 |
| Trace Signal Pro | Per license | SOLIDWORKS integration | Cost; niche usage | 6/10 |
| EasyEDA Viewer | Free | Easy to use; integrated | Browser limitations | 8/10 |
| PCB Viewer Pro | Per license | Full capabilities | Expensive; interface | 7/10 |
| Whizzers ProtoView | Per license | Speed; cost | Limited features | 6/10 |
| TraceParts Viewer | Free | Simple; integrated | Basic capabilities | 7/10 |
| GEDviewer | Free | Simple; fast | Very limited | 4/10 |
Conclusion
Gerber viewers are critical for verifying PCB designs during manufacturing handoff. The optimal option balances features, usability, and pricing to match your workflow needs. Whether looking for a free tool or full commercial solution, this guide covered popular choices proven for viewing Gerber and drill files across various industries and applications.
Carefully review the pros, cons, distinct capabilities, and sample images before selecting a viewer aligned with your review process. This helps ensure accurate visualization plus annotations to ultimately ship quality PCB designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of files do Gerber viewers support?
Gerber viewers generally support the full range of Gerber RS-274X files, NC drill files, IPC netlists, drawings files, route keepouts, and other standard PCB manufacturing formats.
Can Gerber viewers detect PCB design errors?
Advanced Gerber viewers and CAM analysis software provide design rule checking, collision detection, thermal analysis, signal integrity analysis, and other verification functions to detect errors.
What is the difference between Gerber and drill files?
Gerber files define copper layers, silkscreen, solder mask, etc. while drill files provide NC machine instructions for drilling holes at specific coordinates through a PCB panel.
Can I view Gerber data without dedicated viewer software?
Yes, basic text editors like Notepad++ can open Gerber files. But lacking graphics capabilities, this mainly serves to validate file integrity rather than meaningful PCB visualization.
How are Gerber viewers used in manufacturing handoff?
Engineers use Gerber viewers to validate all layers and drill data match source designs before releasing to fabrication. This prevents costly errors in volume production.
