Gerbtrace Documentation

Documentation for Gerbtrace, a PCB NPI and manufacturing data preparation platform.

Gerbtrace Documentation

Gerbtrace is a PCB NPI and manufacturing data preparation platform by Newmatik GmbH (BUSL-1.1). It runs as a web app at gerbtrace.com and as a native desktop app for macOS and Windows.

Gerbtrace takes your design output and turns it into production-ready manufacturing data. Import Gerber and drill files, manage your Bill of Materials with pricing, configure Pick and Place with a full package library, set up panelization and paste, compare design revisions, estimate fabrication and assembly costs, and collaborate with your team – all from a single tool.

Getting Started

New to Gerbtrace? Start here.

  • Getting Started – Installation, creating your first project, and importing files
  • Licensing – Business Source License 1.1 (BUSL-1.1), permitted use, and automatic MIT relicensing

Viewer

The core project tabs for working with your PCB data.

  • Files – Import and classify Gerber, drill, PnP, BOM, and document files
  • PCB – Board parameters, layer management, canvas tools, and rendering modes
  • Panel – Grid layout, frame, fiducials, tooling holes, tabs, and support bars
  • Assembly – Declare assembly processes, control process tabs, and prepare the ERP assembly specification
  • Jetprint – Jet print paste deposition settings and program export
  • SMD – Surface-mount component placement, visualization, and package matching
  • THT – Through-hole component placement with assembly type assignment
  • BOM – Bill of Materials with manufacturer tracking and supplier pricing
  • Docs – PDF document viewer for schematics and drawings
  • Conversation – Threaded project discussions with mentions, references, and attachments
  • Summary – Assembly overview with component counts, categories, and warnings
  • Pricing – Fabrication and assembly cost estimation with quantity tiers

Tools

Supporting workflows and utilities.

  • Exports – Export Image, Export Panel Image, Download Gerber, ERP specifications, Export PnP, Export DXF, and Export JPSys
  • Compare – Side-by-side, overlay, pixel diff, and text diff comparison
  • Package Manager – Browse and manage SMD and THT package libraries with team and space scoping
  • Draw Tool – Draw shapes, place fiducials, and add drill holes on Gerber and Excellon layers

Collaboration

Team management, communication, and account settings.

  • Team Settings – Team name, defaults, integrations (Elexess API, Spark AI), and panel defaults
  • Team Members – Member management, roles (admin, editor, viewer, guest), and invitations
  • User Profile – Account management, avatar, and team switching
  • Spaces – Organize projects and packages into workgroups for customers or product lines
  • Notifications – Inbox for mentions, approvals, and project status updates

App

Platform and interface settings.

Guides

Step-by-step workflows for common tasks.

Reference

Technical specifications and format documentation.

Development

For contributors and developers.