What program can read .pcb, .drl, .pho and .rep?

[GEAEH]

Hi

I hv a set of files that is produced by an unknown software. This set
of files is supposed to be the gerber output of a pcb layout. the
files contain extension as follows:
(1) *.pcb
(2) *.drl
(3) *.pen
(4) *.pho
(5) *.rep

Any idea what software produces these files (orcard/protel/...?)

What software can I use to view the files?

Thanks in advance

 

[Brad Velander]

Geaeh,
It is almost impossible to tell precisely which program created these
just by the extensions. Most CAD programs these days can generate files with
almost any extension the designer wants used. Other than that the designer
could have renamed the extensions if they or their common fabricator were
used to certain file name conventions.
The best manner I know of to try and find out which program created them
would be to look at the *.pcb file with a text editor. Commonly there may be
text embedded near the start of the file which will identify which program
and the version that was used to make the PCB database.
In the meantime the programs are mostly output files and could be read with
a Gerber viewer/editor program.

*.pcb - probably the original CAD database for the PCB.
*.drl - commonly the numeric drill file, usually Excellon format.
*.pen - probably a pen plot print file
*.pho - Gerber photoplot files, one for each layer.
*.rep - usually some form of a report file documenting some aspect of the
file output process, usually text readable. Possibly it could be an aperture
listing.

If I had to guess which program created them, my best guesses would be
PCAD/Accel, Protel or PADS.

--
Sincerely,
Brad Velander

"GEAEH" <enghian@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:225500a3.0311091822.498b4f01@posting.google.com...

Hi

I hv a set of files that is produced by an unknown software. This set
of files is supposed to be the gerber output of a pcb layout. the
files contain extension as follows:
(1) *.pcb
(2) *.drl
(3) *.pen
(4) *.pho
(5) *.rep

Any idea what software produces these files (orcard/protel/...?)

What software can I use to view the files?

Thanks in advance

 

[Y.B.]

Looks like PADS. As viewer I use GC-Preview (GraphiCode).
Y.B.


GEAEH wrote:

Hi

I hv a set of files that is produced by an unknown software. This set
of files is supposed to be the gerber output of a pcb layout. the
files contain extension as follows:
(1) *.pcb
(2) *.drl
(3) *.pen
(4) *.pho
(5) *.rep

Any idea what software produces these files (orcard/protel/...?)

What software can I use to view the files?

Thanks in advance

 

[GEAEH]

Thanks all

You are right, it is PowerPCB (as seen in the .pho files)


"Y.B." <unng_mb@ml1.net> wrote in message news:<bondqg$1fu7o8$1@ID-210988.news.uni-berlin.de>...

Looks like PADS. As viewer I use GC-Preview (GraphiCode).
Y.B.


GEAEH wrote:
Hi

I hv a set of files that is produced by an unknown software. This set
of files is supposed to be the gerber output of a pcb layout. the
files contain extension as follows:
(1) *.pcb
(2) *.drl
(3) *.pen
(4) *.pho
(5) *.rep

Any idea what software produces these files (orcard/protel/...?)

What software can I use to view the files?

Thanks in advance