How to Convert Gerber to SVG: Complete Guide for Web Graphics and Beyond

There’s something frustrating about having a beautifully designed PCB that you can only view with specialized CAM software. Whether you need to showcase your board on a website, create documentation for a client, or prepare files for laser cutting, Gerber files aren’t exactly user-friendly outside the PCB world. That’s where SVG comes in. Learning how to convert Gerber to SVG opens up possibilities that simply aren’t available with traditional manufacturing formats. This guide walks through everything you need to know, from understanding why this conversion matters to step-by-step methods using both free and commercial tools.

Why Convert Gerber to SVG?

Gerber files are the backbone of PCB manufacturing, containing precise vector data about copper layers, solder masks, silkscreen, and board outlines. But they’re designed for fabrication equipment, not for human viewing or web publishing. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) changes everything by providing a universally readable vector format that works in web browsers, graphic design software, and countless other applications.

Use Case	Why SVG Works Better
Web visualization	Browsers render SVG natively without plugins
Documentation	Embed in HTML, markdown, or technical docs
Client presentations	Share without requiring CAM software
Laser cutting/engraving	Many machines accept SVG directly
Graphic design	Edit in Illustrator, Inkscape, or Figma
PCB art projects	Manipulate layers for artistic purposes
3D modeling textures	Apply board graphics to enclosure models
Social media sharing	Create shareable board previews

Benefits of SVG for PCB Visualization

SVG Advantage	Description
Infinite scalability	Zoom without pixelation or quality loss
Small file size	Typically smaller than equivalent raster images
CSS styling	Change colors dynamically with stylesheets
JavaScript interaction	Add hover effects, tooltips, layer toggles
Transparency support	Layer multiple SVGs for composite views
Text searchability	Embedded text remains selectable
Print quality	Perfect output at any resolution
Universal compatibility	Works in all modern browsers and design tools

Understanding Gerber and SVG Formats

Both Gerber and SVG are vector formats, which is why conversion between them works so well. Understanding their similarities and differences helps you get better results.

Gerber Format Basics

Gerber files use ASCII commands to describe PCB features. Each command specifies coordinates, apertures (tool shapes), and operations like drawing lines or flashing pads.

Gerber Characteristic	Description
File structure	ASCII text with X-Y coordinates
Geometry types	Lines, arcs, circles, polygons, regions
Apertures	Predefined shapes for traces and pads
Polarity	Dark (add copper) and clear (remove copper)
Layer separation	One file per layer typically
Units	Inches or millimeters with configurable precision

SVG Format Basics

SVG uses XML markup to define vector graphics. Elements like paths, circles, rectangles, and groups create the visual representation.

SVG Characteristic	Description
File structure	XML-based markup language
Geometry types	Paths, circles, rectangles, polygons, text
Styling	CSS properties for colors, strokes, fills
Grouping	Logical organization with g elements
Viewbox	Coordinate system and scaling control
Transforms	Rotation, translation, scaling operations

How Gerber Elements Map to SVG

Gerber Element	SVG Translation
Traces (draws)	Path elements with stroke width
Pads (flashes)	Circles, rectangles, or path outlines
Regions/polygons	Filled path elements
Arcs	Arc commands in path data
Clear areas	Mask elements or clipping paths
Aperture macros	Complex path definitions

Methods to Convert Gerber to SVG

Several approaches exist for converting Gerber files to SVG, ranging from command-line tools to commercial applications to browser-based converters.

Method 1: Using Gerbv (Free/Open Source)

Gerbv is the go-to free tool for Gerber viewing and conversion. Part of the gEDA project, it runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and offers both GUI and command-line operation.

GUI Conversion Process:

1. Download and install gerbv from gerbv.github.io
2. Launch gerbv and open your Gerber file via File → Open Layer(s)
3. Load additional layers as needed (copper, mask, silk, drill)
4. Adjust colors for each layer using the layer list
5. Go to File → Export → SVG
6. Choose output filename and save

Command-Line Conversion:

Gerbv’s command-line interface is powerful for automation and batch processing:

bash

# Basic single file conversiongerbv -x svg -o output.svg input.gbr# With custom foreground colorgerbv -x svg -f “#FF0000” -o copper_layer.svg top_copper.gbr# Multiple layers with different colorsgerbv -x svg -f “#B87333” -f “#00FF00” -o board.svg copper.gbr silk.gbr# With background color and bordergerbv -x svg -b “#FFFFFF” -B 5 -o output.svg input.gbr

Gerbv Command-Line Options for SVG Export:

Option	Description
-x svg	Set export format to SVG
-o filename	Specify output filename
-f #RRGGBB	Foreground color (use multiple for layers)
-b #RRGGBB	Background color
-B percent	Border around image (default 5%)
-a	Enable antialiasing
-D XxY	Resolution in DPI
-O X,Y	Set origin coordinates

Method 2: Using GerbView (Commercial with Trial)

GerbView by Software Companions offers professional-grade Gerber to SVG conversion with extensive options for controlling output.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Download GerbView from gerbview.com (30-day trial available)
2. Launch and go to File → Add Layer
3. Select your Gerber files to load
4. Import Excellon drill files if needed
5. Verify alignment using the Measure tool
6. Go to File → Export → SVG
7. Configure export settings
8. Save the SVG file

GerbView SVG Export Settings:

Setting	Options	Recommendation
Units	Inch / Metric	Match source Gerber
Precision	Decimal places	4-6 for most applications
Include layers	Selection	Choose visible layers
Grouping	Per layer / Combined	Per layer for editability

Method 3: Using Tracespace/gerber-to-svg (JavaScript Library)

For web developers and Node.js users, the gerber-to-svg library from the tracespace project offers programmatic conversion.

Installation:

bash

npm install gerber-to-svg# oryarn add gerber-to-svg

Basic Usage in Node.js:

javascript

const gerberToSvg = require(‘gerber-to-svg’)const fs = require(‘fs’)const gerberString = fs.readFileSync(‘board.gbr’, ‘utf-8’)const converter = gerberToSvg(gerberString, {  id: ‘my-board’,  attributes: {    color: ‘currentColor’  }})converter.on(‘end’, () => {  const svg = converter.result  fs.writeFileSync(‘board.svg’, svg)})

Browser Usage:

html

<script src=”https://unpkg.com/gerber-to-svg@^4.0.0/dist/gerber-to-svg.min.js”></script><script>  const converter = gerberToSvg(gerberFileContent)  document.getElementById(‘preview’).innerHTML = converter.result</script>

Gerber-to-SVG Features:

Feature	Description
RS-274X support	Full Extended Gerber compliance
Excellon support	NC drill file conversion
Color handling	currentColor for CSS styling
Bounding box	Accurate size calculation
Viewbox alignment	Consistent across layers
Streaming	Efficient for large files

Method 4: Using Tracespace Viewer Online

The tracespace viewer provides instant online conversion without software installation.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Navigate to tracespace.io/view
2. Drag and drop your Gerber files (or click to browse)
3. The viewer automatically detects layer types
4. Preview the rendered board
5. Right-click on the SVG to save individual layers
6. Use browser developer tools to extract full SVG code

This method processes everything locally in your browser, so no files are uploaded to any server.

Method 5: Using PCBCupid Online Converter

PCBCupid offers a free online Gerber viewer with SVG export capability.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Go to tools.pcbcupid.com/gerber-viewer
2. Upload your Gerber files
3. View the rendered layers
4. Download as SVG

Method 6: Using reaConverter (Batch Processing)

For converting multiple Gerber files to SVG, reaConverter offers efficient batch processing.

reaConverter Feature	Description
Batch conversion	Process hundreds of files at once
Format support	GBR, GBS, CMP, SOL variants
Output options	SVG, PNG, PDF, and more
Command line	Automation via CLI
Watch folders	Automatic conversion of new files

Method 7: Using Python with Gerbolyze

Gerbolyze is primarily designed for embedding SVG into Gerbers, but its underlying library can also help with reverse operations and provides excellent SVG template generation from Gerber files.

bash

pip install gerbolyze

Gerbolyze generates SVG templates from input Gerbers for accurate positioning, which can then be used for further processing.

Converting Multiple Layers to SVG

Real-world PCBs have multiple layers that often need to be converted together. Here are strategies for handling multi-layer conversions.

Creating Composite SVG Files

Approach	Description	Best For
Single multi-layer SVG	All layers in one file with groups	Interactive web viewers
Separate SVG per layer	Individual files for each layer	Selective editing
Layered with CSS classes	Combined with style-based visibility	Toggle functionality

Layer Organization Best Practices

When converting multiple Gerber layers to SVG:

1. Use consistent naming conventions for layer groups
2. Assign meaningful IDs (top-copper, bottom-silk, etc.)
3. Include layer metadata as data attributes
4. Maintain coordinate system alignment across layers
5. Consider z-index ordering for proper stacking

Aligning Multiple SVG Layers

The gerber-to-svg library uses a consistent viewBox calculation, making layer alignment straightforward. The viewBox values are in 1000x Gerber units, so min-x and min-y values can be used to align SVGs from different layers.

Customizing SVG Output

Color Configuration

Layer Type	Suggested Color	Hex Code
Top copper	Copper/gold	#B87333
Bottom copper	Light copper	#CD853F
Top solder mask	Green transparent	#00800080
Bottom solder mask	Green transparent	#00800080
Top silkscreen	White	#FFFFFF
Bottom silkscreen	Yellow	#FFFF00
Drill holes	Black	#000000
Board outline	Dark gray	#333333

SVG Optimization Tips

Optimization	Benefit
Remove unnecessary precision	Smaller file size
Combine overlapping paths	Cleaner rendering
Use CSS for repeated styles	Reduced redundancy
Compress with SVGO	Significant size reduction
Remove metadata	Privacy and size

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: SVG Appears Blank or Wrong Scale

Symptoms: Output file is empty or shows tiny/huge graphics

Causes and Solutions:

Cause	Solution
Unit mismatch	Verify Gerber units (MO command)
ViewBox issues	Check viewBox dimensions in SVG
Coordinate offset	Adjust origin with -O flag in gerbv
Zero-size elements	Inspect source Gerber for valid data

Problem: Missing or Incorrect Features

Symptoms: Some pads, traces, or regions don’t appear

Causes and Solutions:

Cause	Solution
Unsupported apertures	Use tool that handles aperture macros
Clear polarity issues	Check tool’s polarity handling
RS-274D format	Convert to RS-274X first
Complex regions	Try different conversion tool

Problem: Large File Size

Symptoms: SVG file is many megabytes

Causes and Solutions:

Cause	Solution
High precision	Reduce decimal places
Complex copper pours	Simplify before conversion
Embedded fonts	Convert text to paths
Redundant paths	Run through SVGO optimizer

Problem: Colors Don’t Match Expected

Symptoms: Layers appear in wrong colors or all same color

Solutions:

• Specify colors explicitly during conversion
• Edit SVG fill/stroke attributes post-conversion
• Use CSS to override colors in web context

Resources and Download Links

Free/Open Source Software

Tool	Website	Platform
Gerbv	gerbv.github.io	Windows, Linux, macOS
Gerber-to-SVG	npmjs.com/package/gerber-to-svg	Node.js, Browser
Tracespace Viewer	tracespace.io/view	Web (any browser)
FlatCAM	flatcam.org	Windows, Linux, macOS

Commercial Software

Tool	Website	Trial Available
GerbView	gerbview.com	Yes (30 days)
ViewMate Pro	pentalogix.com	Demo available
CAM350	downstreamtech.com	Contact vendor
reaConverter	reaconverter.com	Limited free

Online Tools and Viewers

Tool	URL	Features
Tracespace Viewer	tracespace.io/view	Full board rendering
PCBCupid	tools.pcbcupid.com/gerber-viewer	SVG export
Ucamco Reference Viewer	gerber-viewer.ucamco.com	Official spec viewer
SVGerber	svgerber.cousins.io	Direct SVG generation

Developer Resources

Resource	URL	Description
gerber-to-svg npm	npmjs.com/package/gerber-to-svg	JavaScript library
Tracespace GitHub	github.com/tracespace/tracespace	Source code
libgerbv API	gerbv.github.io	C library documentation
Gerber specification	ucamco.com	Official format spec

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert SVG back to Gerber?

Yes, tools like Gerbolyze specialize in converting SVG graphics into Gerber format. This is commonly used for adding artwork, logos, or custom graphics to PCB silkscreen or copper layers. The reverse direction (SVG to Gerber) is actually more common in PCB art workflows than Gerber to SVG.

Will converting Gerber to SVG lose any data?

The visual representation should remain accurate, but some Gerber-specific metadata may not transfer. Aperture definitions, net names (in X2/X3 files), and manufacturing parameters aren’t typically preserved in SVG. However, all geometric data—the shapes, positions, and dimensions—converts accurately.

Which free tool produces the best SVG output?

For most users, gerbv offers the best combination of accuracy, features, and ease of use. Its command-line interface makes it excellent for automation, and the output quality matches commercial tools. For web-focused workflows, the gerber-to-svg JavaScript library provides excellent results with the bonus of browser compatibility.

Can I use the converted SVG for laser cutting or CNC?

Yes, SVG files work with many laser cutters and CNC machines. The board outline layer is typically most useful for this purpose. However, you may need to simplify complex copper geometry or convert filled regions to outlines depending on your equipment’s requirements. Always verify dimensions after conversion.

How do I create an interactive PCB viewer using converted SVGs?

The gerber-to-svg library is designed for this purpose. Convert each layer to SVG, stack them in HTML with appropriate CSS z-index values, and add JavaScript for layer toggling and hover effects. The tracespace viewer source code on GitHub provides an excellent reference implementation for building custom interactive viewers.

Conclusion

Converting Gerber to SVG bridges the gap between PCB manufacturing files and the broader world of web graphics, documentation, and digital design. Whether you’re building an interactive board viewer for your website, creating client documentation, or preparing files for laser cutting, SVG provides the universal format compatibility that Gerber files lack.

For quick one-off conversions, online tools like the tracespace viewer get the job done without installing anything. For regular use or automation, gerbv’s command-line interface offers power and flexibility at no cost. And for web development projects, the gerber-to-svg JavaScript library integrates PCB visualization directly into your applications.

The key to successful conversion is choosing the right tool for your specific needs and understanding how Gerber elements translate to SVG primitives. With the methods and resources in this guide, you’re equipped to convert Gerber to SVG for any purpose, from simple documentation to complex interactive applications.