Contents
To export Gerber files from Altium Designer for PCB manufacturing, open the approved PCB document and use File » Fabrication Outputs » Gerber Files. Configure Gerber or Gerber X2, select only the required manufacturing layers, and generate drill data separately through File » Fabrication Outputs » NC Drill Files. After export, load the actual Gerber and drill files together in a viewer rather than relying only on the PCB editor. Depending on your Altium Designer version and interface configuration, menu names and dialog layouts may vary slightly.
Altium Designer UI note
This guide follows the current Altium Designer fabrication-output workflow identified during our documentation review. Menu names, dialog layouts and available output options may vary slightly by Altium Designer version, interface configuration and license.
Before You Export Gerber Files from Altium
Gerber generation should begin only after the PCB design is ready to become a controlled manufacturing release. A valid export command can still produce the wrong package if the active document is obsolete, the outline is ambiguous or project-specific fabrication requirements have not been confirmed. A short release-readiness review helps keep the design database, artwork, drill data and supporting notes consistent.
Confirm the Approved PCB Revision
Confirm that the PCB document open in Altium Designer is the revision approved for manufacturing output. Check the project identity, board revision and the status of the latest design changes before generating any files. Avoid exporting from a local copy or archived PCB document simply because it opens without errors.
Gerber artwork, NC drill data and any accompanying fabrication information should all come from the same design revision. Mixing newly generated copper files with drill data or drawings from an earlier release can create registration conflicts and make the package difficult to audit. If an output must be regenerated, confirm whether the complete manufacturing set should be regenerated together.
Review the Layer Stack and Board Outline
Review the intended layer sequence before selecting output layers. For a multilayer board, confirm that each internal signal or plane layer corresponds to the approved stack order. Also verify that the finished board profile is unambiguous and that applicable cutouts, routed features and slots are represented in the design data intended for release.
This is not a substitute for a detailed stackup review. The purpose is to prevent an obvious mismatch between the active PCB document and the manufacturing package that will be generated from it.
Confirm Fabrication Requirements
Confirm the known physical and process requirements before output. These can include finished board thickness, copper requirements, surface finish, controlled-impedance requirements where applicable, and special via or fabrication instructions. Gerber artwork alone does not communicate every requirement needed to define the finished PCB.
If the manufacturing release data still requires a change to the source layout, stack definition or board geometry, correct the design before regenerating the package. Excel Circuit’s PCB design and layout services can support design updates and production-release preparation when engineering changes are still open.
Method 1: Export Gerber Files Directly from Altium Designer
Altium Designer can generate fabrication outputs directly from the active PCB document. This method is useful when preparing a controlled output from one approved design and when the operator understands which layers and settings belong in the release. A later part of this guide will address repeatable output generation through an Output Job; the direct method below focuses only on the basic Gerber workflow.
Open the Gerber Fabrication Output
With the correct PCB document active, use File » Fabrication Outputs » Gerber Files to open the Gerber output configuration. If the project and receiving manufacturer use Gerber X2, Altium Designer may also provide File » Fabrication Outputs » Gerber X2 Files. These commands open the relevant setup interface so the manufacturing layers and general output configuration can be reviewed before generation.
Depending on the Altium Designer version and interface configuration, the exact menu wording or dialog appearance may differ. Some installations use a newer unified Gerber interface, while others present an earlier form of the setup dialogs. Use the documented fabrication-output function available in the installed version rather than matching a screenshot without checking its version.
Before continuing, verify that the active data source shown by the output workflow is the intended PCB document. Opening the correct command from the wrong project or document can generate a technically valid but obsolete release.
Choose Gerber or Gerber X2
Traditional extended Gerber, commonly associated with RS-274X, represents fabrication artwork as a set of layer files. Gerber X2 extends the workflow with additional fabrication attributes, including information that can help identify layer functions and design features. Both can be part of an Altium fabrication-output process.
Gerber X2 does not universally replace traditional Gerber, and it is not automatically required for every project. The accepted output should be confirmed against the PCB manufacturer’s CAM workflow and the project requirements. If the manufacturer requests a particular Gerber variant or another accepted manufacturing-data format, prepare the release accordingly rather than selecting a format solely because it contains more attributes.
Set the Output Location
Direct the generated files to a clearly identified manufacturing or release location associated with the approved project revision. The exact folder structure can follow the organization’s existing release practice; no single naming convention is required. What matters is that the output can be traced to the correct design and distinguished from working files or previous releases.
Avoid using one unversioned folder as a permanent destination for multiple PCB revisions. Old and new copper, mask, outline or drill files can otherwise remain together after a partial regeneration. Before packaging the release, review the destination and remove ambiguity about which generated files belong to the current output set without deleting controlled records that must be retained.
Select the Required Gerber Layers
Layer selection should reflect the physical PCB and the agreed fabrication release. Do not select every available Altium layer by default. Projects often contain design notes, dimensions, component courtyard information, assembly data, temporary construction geometry and other content that is useful inside the design environment but is not intended as fabrication artwork.
Copper Layers
Include the top and bottom copper layers for the external conductive features. For a multilayer PCB, include every internal signal and plane layer required by the approved stack. The exported sequence must correspond to the actual physical layer order, so similarly named internal layers should be checked against the stack definition rather than interpreted from their filenames alone.
Review whether internal layers are signal, plane or mixed-purpose layers and confirm that the selected output represents their intended conductive geometry. If the design contains unused, archived or documentation-only layers, do not include them simply because they appear in the layer list. The goal is a complete but unambiguous copper set for the released board.
Solder Mask and Overlay Layers
Select the top and bottom solder mask outputs used by the design. These layers communicate the intended mask openings around pads, vias and other exposed-copper features. Confirm that both sides are included when both sides require solder mask processing, and that the output belongs to the same approved PCB revision as the copper data.
Include the top overlay or silkscreen layer when it is part of the finished board marking. Include the bottom overlay only where the design uses bottom-side legend information. Reference designators, polarity indicators and other useful markings should come from the released design, but this export stage should not impose a fixed silkscreen clearance because manufacturing rules and project requirements vary.
Board Outline and Relevant Mechanical Data
The manufacturing package must communicate a clear finished board profile. Include or otherwise provide the board outline, applicable internal cutouts, routed features, slots and other mechanical information in a form the manufacturer can identify. Check that documentation borders, dimensions, enclosure references or alternate outlines cannot be mistaken for the actual routing profile.
The specific Altium mechanical layer used for fabrication information can vary between design environments. Company templates and library practices may assign outlines or fabrication notes differently, so a tutorial should not prescribe one Mechanical Layer number for every project. Confirm the function of the selected layer from the project documentation and the visible geometry.
Do not export all Mechanical Layers as a precaution. Unidentified construction data can increase ambiguity rather than reduce it. Select only the relevant manufacturing information, give the receiving team enough context to understand it, and keep assembly-only or internal design documentation out of the bare-board artwork unless it has an agreed manufacturing purpose.
Configure Gerber Output Settings
Gerber configuration affects how coordinates and selected layer data are written for downstream CAM processing. The correct settings depend on the Altium Designer version, the chosen Gerber format and the receiving manufacturer’s workflow. Review the output as a coordinated manufacturing package instead of treating individual dialog values as universal defaults.
Units, Format and Precision
Select units and coordinate representation that are supported by the intended manufacturing workflow. The corresponding drill data must be interpreted consistently with the Gerber output. A mismatch in units, numeric resolution or coordinate interpretation can shift or scale drill locations even when both sets of files open successfully on their own.
No single choice such as inch, metric, 2:5 or 2:6 should be presented as mandatory for every PCB. Available settings and accepted formats vary, and modern CAM workflows may support several valid combinations. Confirm the manufacturer’s requirements where they are specified, then preserve consistency across the released fabrication data.
Plot and Layer Options
Review the selected layers and general plotting configuration before generating the files. The final output should contain the intended copper, mask, overlay and relevant profile information without unrelated design layers. Because Altium dialog layouts and option names can change between versions or interface configurations, confirm the effect of an option in the installed software rather than relying on a remembered checkbox name.
Where the workflow offers additional layer-processing or output choices, evaluate them against the physical board and the receiving CAM process. The result should be a clear manufacturing data set, not the maximum possible number of exported files.
Output Directory and Revision Control
Generate the Gerber, NC drill and applicable fabrication documentation from the same approved release whenever practical. Keep the output directory traceable to that release, and review its contents before creating the package sent outside the design team.
Avoid generating copper files on one date, changing the PCB, and then adding new drill files to the same directory without regenerating and reviewing the coordinated set. Revision control does not require one universal folder scheme, but it should make mixed-source manufacturing data easy to detect and prevent.
Generate NC Drill Files
Drill generation is a separate and essential part of the fabrication release. Gerber layer artwork can show pads and surrounding copper, but it does not replace the manufacturing data that defines hole locations and drill-related features. Generate the drill output from the same approved PCB document and coordinate its settings with the Gerber package.
Open NC Drill Setup
With the intended PCB document active, use File » Fabrication Outputs » NC Drill Files to open the available NC Drill setup workflow. Depending on your Altium Designer version and interface configuration, the exact dialog appearance may vary. Review the data source and settings before generation rather than assuming that a previous project’s drill configuration remains appropriate.
NC Drill files, or manufacturer-accepted equivalent drill information, define the hole data used in fabrication. They should be treated as part of the same release as the copper and mechanical outputs, not as an optional attachment added only when a viewer appears to show missing holes.
Identify PTH, NPTH and Slots
Confirm that plated through holes, non-plated holes, slots and applicable mechanical holes are clearly distinguishable in the released manufacturing data. Their electrical and mechanical purposes differ, and an incorrect plating interpretation can change both connectivity and finished geometry.
PTH and NPTH do not have to be separate files in every workflow. They must be clearly distinguishable according to the selected Altium output method and the manufacturer’s requirements. Slots and non-round routed features may also require appropriate drill or routing information, depending on how the project data is generated and accepted.
Match Units, Resolution and Coordinate Origin
Configure the drill output so its units, coordinate interpretation and origin are compatible with the Gerber output. The two data sets should register when loaded together. Do not prescribe one universal origin: an absolute or project-defined origin can be valid when it is used consistently and understood by the receiving workflow.
Resolution and numeric interpretation must likewise be coordinated. A drill file that uses a different coordinate format from the Gerber set can place holes at the wrong scale or location. Confirm the intended settings in the actual generated data and with the manufacturer’s requirements rather than relying only on the setup dialog.
Confirm Drill-to-Gerber Alignment
After generation, load the actual exported Gerber and drill files together in a suitable CAM or Gerber viewer. Check that component holes and vias align with their pads, mounting holes appear at the intended coordinates, and slots or routed features correspond to the board geometry.
Also compare the drill data with the finished board outline and inspect the overall coordinate alignment. This verification should use the exported files, not only the Altium PCB editor view, because the exported package is what the manufacturer will process. Resolve missing, shifted or inconsistent drill information before treating the release as ready for fabrication.
Using an OutJob for Manufacturing Outputs
For projects that require repeatable release packages, an Altium Output Job (OutJob) can be more consistent than generating every output manually. It collects selected outputs and destinations in a reusable project configuration. It does not replace engineering review or make every project require an OutJob.
Add Fabrication Outputs to an OutJob
An OutJob can group Gerber or Gerber X2, NC Drill, ODB++ where used, fabrication drawings, and other applicable manufacturing documentation. Select the outputs needed for the release rather than treating every available generator as mandatory. Because the interface can vary by Altium version, use the Fabrication Outputs workflow available in the installed version and confirm the intended PCB document is the data source.
Configure Output Containers
Send the configured outputs to a clear destination or output container. A consistent location keeps related files together, reduces mixed revisions, and makes the package easier to trace. Review the destination before each release without assuming one folder convention is correct for every team.
Generate a Repeatable Release Package
Once configured, an OutJob helps regenerate the expected files with consistent definitions. This improves repeatability, reduces the risk of manually omitting an output, and supports revision-controlled release. It does not guarantee correct data: the source revision, configuration, destination and generated files still require verification.
How to Verify the Exported Gerber and Drill Files
Verify the actual files in the manufacturing release folder. Reopening the PCB editor does not prove that every required layer was exported, that drill coordinates are compatible, or that the correct revision reached the final package.
Load the Actual Exported Files into a CAM Viewer
Load the final Gerber or Gerber X2 files and drill data from the release folder into a suitable CAM or Gerber viewer. No single viewer is required. Confirm the files open without unexpected scale, origin or interpretation problems, and investigate any missing output before approval.
Check Layer and Drill Alignment
Review copper, solder mask, silkscreen or overlay, and the board outline together. Overlay drill data and confirm holes align with pads, mounting holes and slots match the mechanical geometry, and overall coordinates are consistent. After generation, use our Gerber file checklist for PCB manufacturing to review the wider fabrication package without duplicating that checklist here.
Confirm the Correct Revision and Missing Outputs
Confirm Gerber and drill data came from the approved revision and the same release. Check expected layers, remove ambiguity from obsolete files, and review the complete package again if only part of the output was regenerated.
Finished Exporting Your Manufacturing Files?
Before sending the package to production, review the exported Gerber and drill data for missing layers, board outline, drill alignment and project-specific fabrication requirements.
Review the Gerber File Checklist
Common Altium Gerber Export Mistakes
- Exporting an Outdated PCB Revision. An old
.PcbDoccan produce a complete-looking package that does not match the approved design. - Generating Gerber but Forgetting NC Drill Data. Gerber artwork does not fully replace manufacturer-accepted drill information.
- Mixing Gerber and Drill Files from Different Releases. After a change, combining new files with an older package can create inconsistent geometry.
- Using Inconsistent Coordinate or Output Settings. Gerber and drill data need compatible units, origins and coordinate interpretation without relying on unconfirmed fixed numbers.
- Exporting Unnecessary Mechanical Layers Without Clear Identification. Include only fabrication-relevant data and identify its intent.
- Using an Incorrect or Ambiguous Board Outline. Confirm which profile represents the finished board and applicable cutouts.
- Saving Manufacturing Outputs Without Revision Control. Keep files associated with the approved revision so old and new outputs do not mix.
Gerber or ODB++: Which Should I Export from Altium?
The best choice depends on the receiving manufacturer’s CAM workflow and project requirements. Different formats carry different information, but none removes the need to verify the package.
| Format | What It Provides | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gerber / RS-274X | Widely used layer artwork, normally paired with NC Drill and applicable notes. | When it matches the manufacturer’s Gerber workflow. |
| Gerber X2 | Gerber artwork with additional fabrication attributes and metadata. | When the receiving workflow supports and can verify it. |
| ODB++ | A more integrated package that can carry broader design and manufacturing information. | When accepted and both sides have a clear generation and review workflow. |
Gerber X2 does not replace all supporting documentation, and ODB++ is not universally accepted or automatically superior. Neither eliminates CAM review. Use the format that both teams can generate, interpret and verify consistently.
What Files Should I Send After Export?
For a typical bare PCB manufacturing release, the available package may include:
- Gerber, Gerber X2 or accepted ODB++ data
- NC Drill data
- Fabrication notes where applicable
- Stackup and controlled-impedance information where required
- Project-specific mechanical or special-process information
The exact package depends on PCB complexity and manufacturer workflow. BOM, pick-and-place data and assembly drawings belong to the later assembly release and are not expanded here.
Once the fabrication package has been generated and checked, review our PCB manufacturing services for prototype and production requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate Gerber files in Altium Designer?
In the current common workflow, open the approved PCB document and select File » Fabrication Outputs » Gerber Files or the available Gerber X2 Files output. Configure the manufacturing layers, compatible output settings and release location, then generate the required NC Drill data separately. Review the actual generated package before release. Depending on the Altium Designer version and interface configuration, menu wording and dialog layout may vary.
Does Altium automatically generate NC drill files with Gerber files?
Not necessarily. Gerber artwork and NC Drill data are different manufacturing outputs. In a common Altium workflow, generate the required drill data separately or configure Gerber and drill outputs together through an OutJob. Use NC Drill or another manufacturer-accepted drill-data workflow, then verify that the drill coordinates align with the exported artwork. Do not assume that generating the Gerber layers automatically creates or embeds every hole definition needed by the fabricator.
Which layers should I export from Altium?
Export the layers required for the actual PCB fabrication package, not every layer in the Altium project. These normally include the applicable top, bottom and internal copper layers, top and bottom solder mask, overlay or silkscreen where used, and identifiable board-outline or relevant mechanical data. For a multilayer PCB, confirm that the selected copper outputs correspond to the approved physical layer sequence. Exclude documentation or mechanical layers that have no agreed fabrication purpose.
Should I export Gerber or Gerber X2 from Altium?
Both may be suitable, depending on the manufacturer’s CAM workflow and project requirements. Gerber X2 can carry additional fabrication attributes that help identify layers and design features, but not every receiving workflow prefers it. It does not automatically replace drill data, fabrication notes or other supporting information. Confirm which format the manufacturer accepts and choose the release format that both teams can generate, interpret and verify consistently.
Can I export ODB++ from Altium Designer?
Yes. Altium Designer supports ODB++ manufacturing output in supported workflows, although availability and interface details can vary by version, configuration or license. ODB++ provides a more integrated manufacturing-data package than a set of conventional layer-artwork files. Whether it should be used depends on the receiving manufacturer’s CAM workflow and project requirements. It is not universally accepted, and generating ODB++ does not remove the need to review the exported package.
How do I check Gerber files before sending them to a PCB manufacturer?
Load the actual exported Gerber and drill data into a suitable Gerber or CAM viewer and inspect the manufacturing release. Confirm that expected layers are present, the board outline is clear, holes and slots align with their intended geometry, and all files belong to the approved revision. Check for missing or obsolete outputs before packaging the data. The earlier Gerber file checklist for PCB manufacturing reference provides the next-stage review without adding another duplicate link here.
Ready for PCB Manufacturing?
Send your available Gerber, NC drill and project requirements for quotation. If your design still needs fabrication-data clarification, include the current release files so the available information can be reviewed before production.
