Convert PCB to ERS

Understanding PCB and ERS file formats

PCB files are typically used to store printed circuit board (PCB) designs. These files contain layout information, component placement, and routing data for manufacturing electronic circuits. Commonly, PCB files are created by electronic design automation (EDA) software such as Altium Designer, KiCad, or Eagle.

ERS files, on the other hand, are most often associated with ENVI Raster datasets, used in remote sensing and geospatial analysis. The ERS format is developed by ER Mapper and is used to store raster image data, such as satellite imagery or digital elevation models.

Can you convert PCB to ERS?

Direct conversion from PCB to ERS is highly unusual, as these formats serve entirely different purposes—one for electronic circuit design and the other for geospatial raster data. However, if your goal is to visualize PCB layouts as raster images (for example, for documentation or analysis in GIS software), you can export the PCB design as an image (such as TIFF or PNG) and then convert that image to the ERS format.

How to convert PCB to ERS

1. Export PCB layout as an image:
   Open your PCB design in your EDA software (e.g., KiCad, Altium Designer, Eagle). Use the export or print function to save the layout as a high-resolution image (such as TIFF or PNG). For example, in KiCad, use File → Plot and select an image format.
2. Convert the image to ERS format:
   Use a GIS or remote sensing tool like GDAL (Geospatial Data Abstraction Library) to convert the image to ERS. The command might look like:
   gdal_translate -of ERS input.png output.ers

Recommended software for conversion

• KiCad, Altium Designer, or Eagle for exporting PCB layouts as images.
• GDAL for converting images to ERS format. GDAL is a powerful, open-source command-line tool for raster and vector data conversion.

Summary

While there is no direct PCB to ERS file conversion due to their different purposes, you can export your PCB design as an image and then use GDAL to convert that image to the ERS raster format for use in geospatial applications.