How do I create an assembly drawing from Gerber data?

If the Gerber data contains the components (Gerber X3), EFA CAMverse opens the assembly view directly. Add the coordinate file (pick and place) to classic Gerber data (X/X2) first – this results in quasi Gerber X3 with all components.

Can I take over the customer variant from a list?

Yes. With “Load variant” you read in a reference list, a bill of materials (including entries like “C1, C2” or “R1-R4”) or a pick-and-place file; EFA CAMverse then shows how many components were found. The other way round, save the selection as a reference list.

EFA CAMverse › Assembly drawing & variants

TipLoad the customer variant from a list→ Topic guide · Assembly drawing

Create the assembly drawing yourself – matching the customer variant.

EFA CAMverse does not just display a supplied assembly plan – it draws it component by component from the CAM data. What is not placed does not appear at all – and you set up labels, colours and layers the way your production needs them.

Download for free How it works

Assembly drawing generated from the CAM data – switchable between fully populated and customer variant

Variants

From full population to the customer's variant.

The customer supplies the data for the fully populated board, but a variant is built? You decide which components are placed – EFA CAMverse shows only those.

One click in the list

Deselect and reselect components in the component list – one at a time or many at once. The filter by reference or package helps you find them.

From a file

“Load variant” reads a reference list, a bill of materials (including entries like “C1, C2” or “R1-R4”) or a pick-and-place file; a summary shows the matches. The other way round, save the selection as a reference list.

Effective everywhere

Assembly view, 3D view, printout and image output show only the placed components; the GenCAD and DXF exports optionally as well. The variant is saved with the project.

Labels

Labels by your rules.

Every component is labelled automatically – you decide what appears on the plan and where.

Placed automatically: every label legible right at its component – no rework.
Content of your choice: reference, value, package, MPN, manufacturer, customer or internal part number and further attributes of the source data – for all components or by rule per component type.
Fine-tune by hand: move and rotate individual labels, change the text per component – and undo at any time.
Exceptions by pattern: test points, fiducials or whole groups (such as TP*, FID*) without labels – pads and bodies remain visible.
Font as you like: choose typeface, size and colour freely.

Labels per component type (example)

R*, C*, L*value – 10k, 100n, 4µ7 …
all othersreference – U3, J1, Q2 …
TP*, FID*no label (exception)

The first matching rule wins; individual components can additionally be adjusted by hand.

Appearance

Colours and layers like in your production.

Your own colours

Background, board, outline, bodies, pads, pin 1 marker and labels – each element in its own colour.

Only what helps

Pads, pin 1 markers and labels can be hidden completely – for a clear plan at the workstation.

Overlay a layer

Put any layer – such as solder mask or drill pattern – over the assembly drawing, in colour and transparent.

Paste deposits

For ODB++ and GenCAD, the pads can show the solder paste instead of the copper area.

Both sides

Top and bottom as separate views – the bottom mirrored, as you look at the board from below.

In 3D too

The same variant in the 3D view – deselected components disappear there as well.

Output

On paper, as an image or as a PDF.

Print

The active side fitted to one sheet, with a header (format, title, date) – check it first in the print preview.

As an image

PNG or JPG at 1000 to 3000 dpi – for work instructions, quotations or questions to the customer.

As a PDF

Via the Windows PDF printer – no extra software required.

Saved in the project: EFA CAMverse stores the variant, labels including manual corrections, colours and layer overlay in the project file – the next job starts where you left off.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions about the assembly drawing

Assembly drawing from Gerber data?

If the Gerber data contains the components (Gerber X3), EFA CAMverse opens the assembly view directly. Add the coordinate file to classic Gerber data (X/X2) first – this results in quasi Gerber X3. Here's how →

Customer variant from a list?

Yes. “Load variant” reads a reference list, a bill of materials (including entries like “C1, C2” or “R1-R4”) or a pick-and-place file and shows how many components were found. The other way round, save the selection as a reference list.

Test points and fiducials without labels?

Yes, by name pattern such as TP* or FID* – several separated by commas. The components remain visible with pads and body, only their label is omitted.

The assembly drawing as a PDF?

Print the view to the Windows PDF printer. Alternatively, output it as a PNG or JPG image at 1000 to 3000 dpi.

Is the assembly drawing free?

EFA CAMverse is free to use as a viewer. The assembly views with configurable assembly drawing are among the advanced features you unlock whenever you need them.

And the bill of materials?

EFA CAMverse outputs the bill of materials and placement positions from the same data as CSV or Excel. To BoM & quotation →

BoM & quotation

Create Gerber X3

DXF export

On to inspection with EFA SmartSuite

Next job with a variant? The assembly drawing is ready in minutes.

EFA CAMverse is free to use as a viewer – unlock advanced features such as the assembly drawing whenever you need them. Native on Windows, your data stays local.

More about EFA CAMverse

EFA CAMverse 2026 · free viewer · Windows 10/11 · 64-bit