To open Gerber files in Altium Designer, you typically import them into a new CAM document using the Quick Load feature. This allows you to view and work with the manufacturing data.
Here's a step-by-step guide based on the Quick Load method:
Steps to Open Gerber Files in Altium
Opening Gerber files in Altium Designer involves creating a new CAM document and importing the files into it.
1. Create a New CAM Document
The first step is to create a dedicated document type in Altium that is designed to handle manufacturing files like Gerber data.
- Go to the main menu in Altium Designer.
- Select File » New » CAM Document.
- A new, blank CAM document will open, ready to receive your manufacturing data.
2. Import Files Using Quick Load
Altium provides a convenient "Quick Load" feature specifically for importing sets of manufacturing files (like Gerber, NC Drill, and sometimes netlists) into a CAM document.
- With the new CAM document active, go to the main menu.
- Select File » Import » Quick Load. This action opens the File Import - Quick Load dialog.
- In the File Import - Quick Load dialog, use the browsing options to navigate to the folder where your Gerber files (and potentially other associated manufacturing files like NC Drill) are located.
- Select the specific Gerber file(s) and any other related manufacturing files you wish to import.
- Confirm your selection in the dialog.
Altium will then process the selected files and import them into the active CAM document, allowing you to visualize the layers represented by the Gerber data.
Why Use a CAM Document?
CAM documents in Altium are specifically designed for working with manufacturing outputs. Importing Gerbers into a CAM document provides:
- A dedicated environment for visualizing manufacturing layers.
- Tools for analyzing and verifying the manufacturing data before sending it for fabrication.
- The ability to compare Gerber data against the original PCB design.
This ensures you have a clear representation of what the final physical board will look like based on the generated manufacturing files.
