Why correct output files enable fabrication in PCB Design - Formula Trace Breakdown

Sample Data

This data shows typical output files generated for PCB fabrication, including layers and file types.

Cell	Value
A1	Layer
B1	Data Type
C1	File Name
A2	Top Copper
B2	Gerber
C2	top_copper.gbr
A3	Bottom Copper
B3	Gerber
C3	bottom_copper.gbr
A4	Solder Mask
B4	Gerber
C4	solder_mask.gbr
A5	Drill
B5	Excellon
C5	drill_file.drl
A6	Outline
B6	Gerber
C6	board_outline.gbr

Formula Trace

IF(AND(ISFILE("top_copper.gbr"), ISFILE("bottom_copper.gbr"), ISFILE("solder_mask.gbr"), ISFILE("drill_file.drl"), ISFILE("board_outline.gbr")), "Ready for Fabrication", "Missing Files")

Step 1: ISFILE("top_copper.gbr")

Step 2: ISFILE("bottom_copper.gbr")

Step 3: ISFILE("solder_mask.gbr")

Step 4: ISFILE("drill_file.drl")

Step 5: ISFILE("board_outline.gbr")

Step 6: AND(TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, TRUE)

Step 7: IF(TRUE, "Ready for Fabrication", "Missing Files")

Cell Reference Map

    A             B           C
1 | Layer       | Data Type | File Name       |
2 | Top Copper  | Gerber    | top_copper.gbr |
3 | Bottom Copper| Gerber   | bottom_copper.gbr|
4 | Solder Mask | Gerber    | solder_mask.gbr |
5 | Drill       | Excellon  | drill_file.drl  |
6 | Outline     | Gerber    | board_outline.gbr|

Formula references all file names in column C to check their existence.

The formula checks the presence of all key PCB output files listed in column C.

Result

    A             B           C                 D
1 | Layer       | Data Type | File Name       | Status             |
2 | Top Copper  | Gerber    | top_copper.gbr | Ready for Fabrication |
3 | Bottom Copper| Gerber   | bottom_copper.gbr|                     |
4 | Solder Mask | Gerber    | solder_mask.gbr |                     |
5 | Drill       | Excellon  | drill_file.drl  |                     |
6 | Outline     | Gerber    | board_outline.gbr|                     |

The status column shows 'Ready for Fabrication' when all required output files exist, indicating the PCB design can be sent to manufacturing.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the formula check first?

A If the board outline is correct

B If the top copper Gerber file exists

C If the drill file is missing

D If the solder mask is applied

Key Result

Check existence of all required output files with AND and return status with IF.