Free online PHO to SVG converter

What the PHO format is

In the CAD and PCB context, PHO is commonly a Gerber photoplotter file, usually containing one printed-circuit-board layer such as copper, solder mask, silkscreen, or board outline. PCB design and manufacturing applications create these files for photoplotters and other fabrication equipment; the data may use RS-274X extended Gerber syntax or older RS-274-D syntax with a separate aperture file.

A PHO file normally describes flashes, tracks, arcs, polygons, coordinates, units, and layer polarity. It does not usually contain the complete board design, component library, netlist, or all PCB layers in one file. A project may therefore contain several .pho files plus drill and aperture-related files.

What the SVG format is

SVG is an XML-based vector graphics format supported by web browsers, graphics editors, documentation tools, and many CAD-adjacent applications. Lines, paths, arcs, fills, and text remain resolution-independent, so an SVG can be enlarged for drawings or reduced for web previews without raster pixelation.

SVG is useful when a Gerber layer must be displayed in a browser, placed in technical documentation, edited as vector artwork, or archived in a broadly readable format. An exported SVG represents the plotted appearance; it is not a replacement for the original PCB source or a fabrication-ready Gerber file.

How to convert PHO to SVG

Using Gerbv

Gerbv is a desktop Gerber viewer with SVG export and is suitable for inspecting the layer before conversion.

1. Install Gerbv from a trusted desktop software source and open the .pho file.
2. If the file uses legacy RS-274-D syntax, load the matching aperture definition file when Gerbv requests one. Without the correct apertures, tracks and pads can be displayed incorrectly.
3. Verify the layer, units, polarity, origin, and visible extents in the preview.
4. Export the displayed layer as SVG through the program's export command, or run:

gerbv -x svg -o board-layer.svg board.pho

Use a separate output filename for each PHO layer. Open the resulting board-layer.svg in a browser or vector editor and check its dimensions and polarity against the Gerber preview.

Using the built-in online converter

You can convert the file for free on 101convert.com without installing software: upload the PHO file, choose SVG as the output format, start the conversion, and download the resulting file. Inspect the SVG afterward, particularly if the PHO uses a separate aperture file or contains unusual Gerber extensions.

Quality and compatibility limits

The correct aperture definitions, coordinate format, units, and layer polarity determine the SVG's appearance. A conversion can be geometrically accurate while still being unsuitable for manufacturing because SVG does not preserve Gerber commands, aperture tables, fabrication attributes, drill data, or electrical connectivity.

Convert each board layer separately unless the converter explicitly supports a multi-layer composition. Drill files generally require a separate conversion or overlay. SVG viewers may also interpret physical dimensions differently, so confirm the exported width and height against a known board dimension before using the file for scaled output.