ODB++

ODB++ is an intelligent CAD-to-CAM exchange format widely used in PCB fabrication. Unlike Gerber, ODB++ carries structured manufacturing data such as layer definitions, polarity, and board organization in a complete design package.

Format Summary

Property	Value
Extensions	extracted directory, `.tgz`, `.tar.gz`
Encoding	Text files inside an archive or directory tree
Import	✓
Export	✓
License	Gerber/ODB++

Import Options

Option	Description	Default
Step name	Import a specific ODB++ step; leave empty to use the first/default step	Empty
Layer filter	Import only a specific layer name	Empty
Input source	Read from archive or extracted directory	Archive
Apply layer polarities	Apply matrix-file layer polarities during import	On

Export Options

Option	Description	Default
Step name	Name of the exported ODB++ step	`pcb`
Output format	Write a `.tgz` archive or an extracted directory tree	`.tgz`

Common Workflows

ODB++ → DXF

Import PCB manufacturing data for mechanical review, cleanup, or downstream conversion.

GDSII → ODB++

Export layout geometry to ODB++ for PCB/CAM exchange workflows.

Gerber → ODB++

Move legacy photoplot data into a structured manufacturing package.

Technical Notes

ODB++ can be opened from a compressed archive or an extracted directory tree
Export can write either a .tgz archive or an extracted directory tree
The Gerber/ODB++ bundle is required

CLI / Command-File Options

These option keys can be used on the command line or in command files.

Import

Key	Type	Description
`OdbppInStep`	string	Step name to import
`OdbppInLayer`	string	Layer-name filter
`OdbppInSource`	string	Input source — `archive` or `directory`
`OdbppInApplyLayerPolarities`	flag	Apply layer polarities from the matrix file

Export

Key	Type	Description
`OdbppOutStep`	string	Exported step name
`OdbppOutCompression`	string	Output format — `tgz` or `directory`