Gerber is also the standard image input format for all bare board fabrication equipment needing image data, such as photoplotters, legend printers, direct imagers or automated optical inspection (AOI) machines and for viewing reference images in different departments. This data typically contains a Gerber file for each image layer (copper layers, solder mask, legend or silk.). The CAD systems output PCB fabrication data to allow fabrication of the board. PCBs are designed on a specialized electronic design automation (EDA) or a computer-aided design (CAD) system. The official website contains the specification, test files, notes and the Reference Gerber Viewer to support users and especially developers of Gerber software. It is the de facto standard used by PCB industry software to describe the printed circuit board images: copper layers, solder mask, legend, drill data, etc. The Gerber format is an open ASCII vector format for printed circuit board (PCB) designs.
