Page Comparison

Preamble

This guide will walk you through how to create gerber files in Altium. Gerber files consist of all the different layers in your PCB, and are sent to PCB manufacturers so that they can actually build your circuit board.

Step 1

Image Removed

Click on Gerber Files to open the gerber file wizard.

Step 2

Image Removed

Make your settings match the settings in the image and then move to the next tab.

Step 3

Image Removed

Select the layers you used in your PCB file. You need to select the layers you used, the solder mask for the layers you used, and the silkscreen for the layers you used. Once you have done that, move to the next tab.

Step 4

Image Removed

Make your settings match the settings in the image and then move to the next tab.

Step 5

Image Removed

Make your settings match the settings in the image and then move to the next tab.

Step 6

Image Removed

Make your settings match the settings in the image. You will need to use the correct Film Size values for your board. The X and Y coordinates is the upper most right of your PCB. The boarder size is the thickness of the boarder you places surrounding your PCB in the top layer. Once you have finished, click OK. You have now successfully created your gerber files!

There are more stuff to do though, so don't stop here.

Step 7

Image Removed

Click on NC Drill Files to open the drill file wizard.

Step 8

Image Removed

Make your settings match the settings in the image and then click OK

Step 9

Image Removed

Click OK

Step 10

Navigate into the project output folder, which is created in the same directory where you have saved the project file. You will need to select the gerber files you made plus the NC Drill file you made, as well as a text file similar to the one indicated. This text file holds coordinates for drilling holes in the board and is important to include in the items to be sent to the manufacturers. Then add these items to an archive.

Image Removed

Or alternatively, you could do this:

Image Removed

Step 11

Image Removed

You should name the archive the same name that you have silkscreened onto your PCB. It will need to be a zip file with normal compression.

Step 12

Image Removed

You will then need to upload your completed zip file into the Gerber Files folder in Google Docs.

Remarks

Image Removed

...

Please refer to this guide made by Elecrow to generate your Gerber files. This guide will be updated in the future to contain things that specifically apply to our boards.