A file with the .GBR file extension is most likely a Gerber file that stores printed circuit board designs. Most PCB design programs can export data to a Gerber file.
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If the GBR file isn't a Gerber file, it might be a GIMP Brush file used by the GIMP image editing software. This kind of file holds an image that the program uses to paint repeated strokes onto the canvas.
Another use for the GBR file extension is for Game Boy Tileset files that can be incorporated into the standard Game Boy as well as Super Game Boy and Game Boy Color.
- McCad Gerber Viewer is a handy application that allows you to open Gerber files and to convert them to other formats. The program can be used to open multiple Gerber files and to select the visible layers.
- Gerbv is an open source Gerber file (RS-274X only) viewer. Gerbv lets you load several files on top of each other, do measurements on the displayed image, etc. Besides viewing Gerbers, you may also view Excellon drill files as well as pick-place file.
- The gerber format is a file format for submitting circuit design files to a PCB manufacturer. It gives freedom in choice of PCB software.
How to Open GBR Files
You can open Gerber files with a number of programs, most of which are free. These free Gerber viewers include grbv, GraphiCode GC-Prevue, PentaLogix ViewMate, and Gerbv. A few of them support printing and viewing the measurements. You could also use Altium Designer to open the Gerber file but it isn't free.
Another way to view GBR files is online. The makers of the format, Ucamco, have the free Reference Gerber Viewer that lets you upload the GBR file online to view it in your browser.
GIMP Brush files are used with GIMP, which works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
If your GBR file is in the Game Boy Tileset format, you can open it with Game Boy Tile Designer (GBTD).
How to Convert a GBR File
To convert a GBR file requires you to know what format it's in. This is important so that you know which converter program to use since the three formats mentioned above have nothing to do with one another. This means you can't convert, say, a GIMP Brush file into the Gerber file format; it just doesn't work that way.
When it comes to converting Gerber files, it's very possible that some of the programs mentioned above are capable of not only opening it but also saving the GBR file to a new file format. If not, however, GerbView can convert Gerber files to DXF, PDF, DWG, TIFF, SVG, and other file formats.
Online Gerber Viewer might also work for saving the GBR file to the PNG image format. FlatCAM can convert the Gerber file to G-Code. You might give Cenon a try, too, if the other GBR file converters aren't working.
To convert GIMP GBR files to ABR for use in Adobe Photoshop, you first have to convert the GBR to PNG with a program like XnView. Then, open the PNG file in Photoshop and choose which part of the image should be turned into a brush. Make the brush through the Edit > Define Brush Preset menu.
You can convert Game Boy Tileset files to other file formats with the Game Boy Tile Designer program mentioned above. It supports saving GBR to Z80, OBJ, C, BIN, and S, through the File > Export to menu item.
More Information on GBR Files
The Gerber format stores binary, 2D images in an ASCII vector format. Not all Gerber files use the GBR file extension; some are GBX, PHO, GER, ART, 001 or 274 files, and there are most likely others, too. You can read more about the format from Ucamco in the Gerber file format specification PDF on that page.
You can make your own GIMP Brush files but several are provided by default, too, when GIMP is first installed. These default GBR files are usually stored in the program's installation directory, in sharegimp(version) brushes.
Still Can't Open Your File?
Double-check the file extension if you can't get your file to open. It's likely that if it doesn't work with any of the programs above, you're misreading the file extension. This is important because even if two file formats share most or even all of the same file extension letters, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are related or can be opened with the same software tools.
For example, GRB files have all three of the same file extension letters has GBR files but they're instead GRIB Meteorological Data files stored in the GRIdded Binary format. They have nothing at all to do with any of the GBR file formats mentioned on this page, and therefore can not be viewed or converted with the programs talked about above.
The same is true for Symbian OS Font files that use the GDR file extension. Plenty other examples could be given but the idea is to look closely at the file extension letters and make sure they say .GBR, else you're probably dealing with something entirely different than what's covered in this article.
Gerber software viewers communicate the artwork to fabrication vendors.
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ALTIUM DESIGNER
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A Gerber software viewer for all Gerber formats views each layer of any printed circuit board and its final assembly. EDA tools generate detailed information of the design including layer stack information and standard image input formats for each of the copper layers, the solder mask, and the silkscreen. This includes solder paste layers and locations of components for creation of the stencil for final assembly.
Each layer may be inspected individually within Altium Designer or specific combinations of layers may be viewed together within the PCB design environment. Additionally, cross-probing is available so items highlighted within the PCB will be highlighted within the schematic. This enables engineers, and fabrication houses, to examine the PCB layout against the schematic to confirm design intent is achieved before fabrication.
Many Gerber formats are supported by Altium Designer for viewing PCB design layers. This includes ODB++, IPC-2581, and IPC-D-356 representing all the possible Gerber files that may have need of viewing including Gerber X and X2 formats. Altium Designer 18 is capable of viewing legacy and new designs, in addition to competitor software file formats.
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Altium Designer’s viewer incorporates a layer stack manager for defining and for viewing design layers to fabricate the PCB. Each signal layer can be viewed along with its traces and node names. This is a powerful evaluation tool for design engineers when validating their boards after return from fabrication. Locating end points of a node at the top and bottom layer enables continuity checks and confirms signal integrity.
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Each layer within the stack may be inspected for pad and via attributes, for layer pairs, for mechanical layers, and drill guides and keep-out layers. In addition, features on the respective PCB layer, or layers, may be highlighted for cross-probe with the schematic. Having access to all design files including overlays, solder masks, drills files, and silk screen facilitates smooth communication with fabrication houses.
To effectively view and manipulate any format of Gerber file, you need:
- A powerful editor with menus to define each layer for Gerber output and viewing.
Learn more about Altium Designer’s Layer Stack Manager for elegant artwork. - One place that collects all Gerber layers with controls to view or hide.
Learn more about Altium Designer’s View Configuration Panel. - A tool to analyze and cross-select components or nodes for comparison to the schematic.
Learn about cross-probing and cross-selecting for simultaneous viewing of Gerbers alongside the schematic.
Best-in-Class Viewer Accepts All Gerber File Formats
The last thing you want from a Gerber viewer is a software tool which doesn’t import files that you need. Make sure that you’re using a tool which will be able to resolve any demands and requirements you’ll have in your design process. Select Gerbers for viewing from the PCB’s design container and open any format. This includes legacy designs as well as other EDA tool formats. The viewer supports unisoft software, PLT files, Excellon, GERBV, both Gerber X and X2, and GBR files.
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Rather than keeping separate software instantiations for viewing the wide variety of Gerber files you have in your directories, use one tool. Altium Designer accepts all Gerber formats and allows viewing in one place. There is no longer a need to confuse your fabricator with complicated instructions across differing Gerbers. You can paint your board picture clean and clear.
Altium Designer brings the power of high performance with progressive viewers and tools for your PCB designs:
- View and define Gerber files to evaluate useful setup for accurate builds.
Learn how to setup your layer environment with Gerber setup tools. - Level the playing field and neutralize PCB production file format wars with one viewer.
Learn how easy it is to use a variety of file formats. - Use the viewer to evaluate and specify keepouts for easy fabrication.
Learn how to use existing Gerbers to specify keepouts.
Gerber X2 Capabilities Unleash Viewing Ease
View the latest Gerber X2 formats, containing IPC-2581 formats, along with old Gerber RS-274X standards. Incorporating complete manufacturing details such as layer stack definitions, materials, netlists, test points, and N.C. drill files unleashes your manufacturing teams to build the PCB correctly on the first pass.
Viewer Supports Cross-Probe For Easily Finding Components
Use a Viewer that Accepts All Formats Including Gerber X2
The viewer accepts Gerber X2 and X, along with ODB++, IPC-2581, and IPC-D-356. This means the viewer is backward compatible allowing evaluation of any collection of artwork for your PCBs, either new or legacy. The viewer allows inspection of all manufacturing data for full implementation at both ends of the CAD-CAM chain.
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- The viewer can evaluate any Gerber format and generate new layers if needed.
Learn how to generate and evaluate Gerber X2 and IPC-2581 output. - The viewer enables powerful selection tools including cross-probe and cross-selection.
Learn how to cross-probe within your design environment. - Use the viewer to set up outputs for viewing by your fabrication partner.
Learn about setting up outputs for viewing in Gerber X2 format.
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When you’re looking for a powerful Gerber viewer, one that will accept all possible formats generated across EDA design tools, choose Altium’s viewer. The viewer is available within the unified environment allowing access to the entire design suite of tools. Having access to all design tools allows unique selection of layer viewing. With custom selection tools, designers and fabricators can view both electrical and mechanical details for ease of manufacturing.