Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Design (CAD) software for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Prototyping, supporting Gerber, Excellon Drill files, Gcode and Visualization. All you need to do is to select the necessary layers and to not forget generating the DRILL file. Now, let’s get started! Open your.kicadpcb file. After opening your Kicad project -.pro file, you can double click the.kicadpcb file or click the “PCBNew” button to open your PCB editor. Plot your Kicad PCB as Gerber files. The.pcb file extension is also used for ACCEL or Protel printed circuit board files, P-CAD database files, PC-Doctor files, Broderbund Print Shop business card files and PCB Layout check design rule template files. Update info Upload example file PCB file openers, viewers, etc. These apps are known to open certain types of PCB files.
Generate Drill and Gerber Files
Select File -> Plot from the menu to open the gerber generation tool.
In general, there are 8x layers you need to have a PCB fabricated:
- Top Copper (F.Cu)+ Soldermask (F.Mask) + Silkscreen (F.SilkS)
- Bottom Copper (B.Cu) + Soldermask (B.Mask) + Silkscreen (B.SilkS)
- Board outline (Edge.Cuts)
- Drill file
In the Plot window with the Plot format set for Gerber, be sure these Layers are checked:
If you don't know which layers, please check all layers, JLCPCB will help you to use the right layers. Click ‘Plot’ to generate the
Don't forget to Generate the Drill Files. Click on ‘Generate Drill File’ button. You can use the defaults here as well. Check the 'Merge PTH and NPTH holes into one file' box. For now just click ‘Drill File’ or press ‘enter’ to generate the drill file. Use the same output folder as for the gerbers, which should be the default.
Check the Gerber files in GerbView
Next, click ‘Close’to exit the Drill and Plot windows. All of the files should have appeared in your gerbers folder. KiCAD comes with a gerber viewer called GerbView, you can open the “GerbView” and check what your board looks like before sending it to manufacturer.
For more details, please see this video tutorial of generating Gerber files for manufacturing in KiCad.
For Kicad 5.1.5, please check this tutorial.
If everything looks OK, select all of the files, zip them up, and upload the zip file to JLCPCB order page.
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Do I have the right program?
If you don’t have a program installed on your computer that’s compatible with PCB files, you won’t be able to open one. See if you have one of the most common programs associated with PCB files listed below.
- P-CAD Database
- PowerPoint Application Data File
- Print Shop Deluxe Business Card
- Protel Technology Advanced PCB Design
- ExpressPCB Printed Circuit Board Layout
- CADSTAR Printed Circuit Board Design
- PC-Doctor File
- PCB Artist Printed Circuit Board file
- PADS Printed Circuit Board
- Unknown 3.0 Binary File
- PCB Layout Check Design Rule Template
- ACCEL or Protel Printed Circuit Board File
- Broderbund Print Shop Business Card
- Ivex Winboard Design File
- Unknown 4.0 Binary File
What type of file is it?
When you can’t open PCB files, try to figure out the file type. This can help you find the right program to open it. Usually, PCB files are considered Data Files. However, you can look up the file type to be sure. Start by right-clicking the file icon and clicking “Properties” (“More Info” if you’re on a Mac). Then look for the file type under “Type of File” (“Kind” on a Mac).
Can a developer help?
Open Pcb
When you can’t open PCB files, a software developer might be able to help. The developers for the programs mentioned above are as follows:
| Software | Developer |
|---|---|
| P-CAD Database | Altium Limited |
| PowerPoint Application Data File | Microsoft Corporation |
| Print Shop Deluxe Business Card | Unknown |
| Protel Technology Advanced PCB Design | Windows Software |
| ExpressPCB Printed Circuit Board Layout | ExpressPCB |
| CADSTAR Printed Circuit Board Design | Quadra Solutions |
| PC-Doctor File | Unknown |
| PCB Artist Printed Circuit Board file | Advanced Circuits |
| PADS Printed Circuit Board | Mentor Graphics Corp. |
| Unknown 3.0 Binary File | Microsoft Developer |
| PCB Layout Check Design Rule Template | Top Tec PCB Ltd. |
| ACCEL or Protel Printed Circuit Board File | Microsoft Programmer |
| Broderbund Print Shop Business Card | PC Software Company |
| Ivex Winboard Design File | Microsoft Developer |
| Unknown 4.0 Binary File | Windows Programmer |
Pcb File Types
Try contacting one of these developers to find out how you can open your PCB file.
Can I use a universal file viewer?
Open File Format Pcb Free
A universal file viewer is the way to go when you have PCB files that can’t be opened by any other program. Install a universal file viewer like File Magic (Download) and see if it will open your PCB file. Remember that if your file is not compatible, the universal file viewer will only open it in binary format.
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