How to Use PCS Viewer: Tips, Tricks, and ShortcutsPCS Viewer is a lightweight tool for viewing, inspecting, and exporting files created by various PCB (printed circuit board) design systems. Whether you’re a hobbyist checking gerbers, an engineer verifying layers, or a technician preparing files for fabrication, PCS Viewer can speed up review and troubleshooting. This guide covers how to use PCS Viewer effectively, practical tips to improve your workflow, handy tricks for faster inspections, and keyboard shortcuts to save time.
What PCS Viewer does well
- View multiple PCB file formats (Gerber RS-274X, Excellon drill files, ODB++, IPC-2581, some CAD exports).
- Layer control: toggle, colorize, and reorder layers to isolate features.
- Zoom and pan for detailed inspection without modifying original files.
- Measurement tools to check distances and component placements.
- Exporting: save screenshots, layer images (PNG/SVG), or combined PDFs for documentation.
Getting started: opening files
- Install PCS Viewer from the official source and launch the application.
- Use File → Open or drag-and-drop to load one or multiple Gerber/Drill/PCB files. PCS Viewer typically recognizes file types by extension or internal headers; if files are missing, try opening the corresponding aperture or drill file first.
- After loading, check the layer list (usually on the left or right panel). If layers appear blank, confirm correct coordinate units (inch vs mm) and that all expected apertures/drill tool files are present.
Tip: Load both Gerber and Excellon drill files together to see copper and holes in context.
Navigating the interface
- Zoom: mouse wheel or pinch gesture (trackpad).
- Pan: click-and-drag the workspace or use spacebar + drag in some builds.
- Layer list: enable/disable visibility, change colors, and set transparency to compare layers.
- Layer order: move mechanical, silk, solder mask, and copper layers up/down to get the correct visual stacking.
Trick: Temporarily make the solder mask semi-transparent to inspect pad exposure without hiding the copper.
Useful tools and how to use them
- Selection/Info tool: click an object (pad, trace) to get coordinates, net name (if present), and aperture info. Use this to verify component placement and pad sizes.
- Measure tool: click two points (or use snap-to-feature) to read distances. Ensure correct units are selected.
- Grid and snap settings: enable a grid when measuring or aligning views. Snap helps you pick exact pad centers or trace endpoints.
- Crosshair/marker: mark and save inspection points or create notes/screenshots for collaborators.
Example workflow: measure a 0.5 mm trace clearance by zooming into the region, snapping to copper outlines, and reading the measured delta.
Common tasks and recommended steps
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Verify gerber completeness
- Confirm presence of top and bottom copper, silkscreen, solder mask, paste, and mechanical layers, plus Excellon drill file.
- Open each file and visually inspect for unexpected blanks or offset content.
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Check drill alignment
- Load Gerber and Excellon together; switch to a combined view or toggle drills on top of copper.
- Use measure tool to confirm hole-to-pad distances and offsets.
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Inspect solder mask openings
- Set solder mask to semi-transparent and view pads. Look for unintended exposures or missing apertures.
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Confirm silkscreen placement
- Turn silkscreen on and off to ensure text and reference designators don’t overlap pads or vias.
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Prepare fabrication images
- Export each layer as PNG/SVG at required DPI or resolution. Combine into a PDF for the fabricator if requested.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Blank or offset layers: check units (mm vs in) and zero origin. Re-open files specifying units if the viewer prompts.
- Missing apertures (strange shapes or no features): ensure accompanying aperture definitions (.apt or similar) are loaded or use built-in aperture detection if available.
- Misaligned drill holes: confirm Excellon file headers and tool definitions; some drill files use metric vs imperial tooling numbers.
Tip: If coordinates look wildly off, check BOM/README from the designer — some workflows use relative coordinates or different origins.
Time-saving tips and tricks
- Batch open related files (Gerber + Drill) so layer names and order are preserved automatically.
- Use color presets for consistent reviews: e.g., green for top copper, red for bottom copper, yellow for silkscreen. This makes quick visual scans faster.
- Create and save a workspace layout (if PCS Viewer supports it) so you don’t reconfigure layer colors and order each time.
- Use high-DPI exports for documentation to avoid blurry fabricator prints. Aim for 600–1200 DPI depending on detail needed.
- When comparing revisions, export high-resolution PNGs of the same layer set and use an image-diff tool to highlight changes.
Example: Use the measure tool, then press the screenshot/export shortcut to capture annotated distances for issue reports.
Keyboard shortcuts (common ones; check your version)
- Zoom In/Out: Ctrl + Plus / Ctrl + Minus (or mouse wheel)
- Fit to Screen: F or Ctrl+0
- Pan: Spacebar + drag (if supported)
- Toggle Layer Visibility: click layer or use numeric layer shortcuts (varies by build)
- Export Image: Ctrl + E or File → Export
Note: Exact shortcuts can vary by version — check Help → Shortcuts in your PCS Viewer build.
Exporting and sharing
- For fabrication: export Gerbers (if viewer supports export) or at least high-resolution PNGs/SVGs of each layer plus the Excellon drill file. Provide a readme listing units, zero origin, and layer mapping.
- For reviews: export combined PDFs or annotated screenshots highlighting issues. Include measurement overlays where appropriate.
Advanced tips for power users
- Use scripting or command-line export (if supported) to produce consistent layer images from multiple boards in a single batch.
- Integrate exported layer images into diff pipelines to automatically detect changes between revisions.
- If your viewer supports ODB++ or IPC-2581, prefer those formats for richer metadata (net names, component placement) which simplifies checking and automated validation.
Final checklist before sending to fabrication
- All expected layers loaded and visible.
- Units and origin confirmed.
- Drill files aligned with copper.
- No silkscreen over pads.
- Solder mask openings correct.
- High-resolution exports or native Gerber + Excellon provided.
If you want, tell me which PCS Viewer version you’re using or share the exact file types you have, and I’ll give a short, tailored checklist for that setup.
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