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March 2009

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From:
Robert Kondner <[log in to unmask]>
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Date:
Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:31:55 -0400
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Rick,

  If you really want to understand gerbers write a reader and read files
from a couple thousand users. I did.

  There is so much that is not specified. Polygons are a perfect example.
The use of ARC commands without re-specifying I and J parameters is another.

  Using the idea of "Plotting On Film" makes life simpler but the use of
gerber data does not make sense for all applications. Consider a laser
cutter for example. How do LGHT and DARK polygons apply when driving a laser
cutter? 

  In electronics we often use gerber files to convey electrical
connectivity. Connectivity is not what gerbers were designed for but they do
come "Close". Think of how difficult it might be when a given set of gerbers
is given for a board design and you want to check if all GND connection make
connection into a GND plane. There are various LIGHT and DARK sections in
the plane as well as many pad shapes. Vaious APERTURE MACRO shapes will
interact with polygons (LIGHT AND DARK), lines, flashes and feed through
points (Holes).

 If plotting on film was all that was required gerbers would indeed be
"Simpler". But using them for some other applications makes them a very poor
choice. Not that there are many simpler format to select from.

Bob Kondner



-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Smith, Rick
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 4:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Gerber

I vaguely remember from about a million years ago someone saying that the
Gerber Scientific photoplotter format was based on the Gerber Garment fabric
cutter programming. 

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthias Mansfeld
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Gerber

On 17 Mar 2009 at 16:41, Ahne Oosterhof wrote:

> A number of weeks ago there were some questions about the Gerber
> language. Those made me believe that a lot is not known about this
> language. To help undo this, here is:
> 

See also on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerber_File

looks like a rather comprehensive summary about history etc. of 
gerber format.
The linked document at 
http://www.artwork.com/gerber/274x/rs274xrevd_e.pdf is also mentioned 
in wikipedia

Best regards
Matthias Mansfeld

-- 
Matthias Mansfeld Elektronik * Leiterplattenlayout
Neithardtstr. 3, 85540 Haar; Tel.: 089/4620 093-7, Fax: -8
Internet: http://www.mansfeld-elektronik.de
GPG http://www.mansfeld-elektronik.de/gnupgkey/mansfeld.asc

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