.BRD File Extension

EAGLE Circuit Board

Developer Autodesk
Popularity
3.7  |  77 Votes
 

What is a BRD file?

A BRD file is a CAD file created by Autodesk EAGLE, an application used for schematic capture and PCB (printed circuit board) design. It is created with the EAGLE Layout Editor and used to develop design templates for circuitry. BRD files can be saved in the Gerber drill data format, which may be used by CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) programs.

More Information

Screenshot of a .brd file in Autodesk EAGLE 9
BRD file open in Autodesk EAGLE 9

Autodesk EAGLE is an electronic design automation program that allows engineers to create circuit diagrams. The program was formerly known as CadSoft Eagle, before Autodesk acquired it in 2016.

EAGLE's PCB layout editor allows engineers to place circuit diagrams upon a virtual copy of a real-life circuit board. These circuit board layouts are saved as BRD files. In addition to being able to open and edit BRD files in EAGLE and other PCB design applications, engineers can send their PCB files to PCB fabricators, who use the files to assemble physical circuit boards.

NOTE: Prior to version 6, EAGLE BRD files were saved in a proprietary text and binary format. Version 6 and later BRD files are saved in the XML format.

How to open a BRD file

You can open a BRD file in a variety of PCB design applications, including Autodesk EAGLE (cross-platform), Altium Designer (Windows), and Open Board Viewer (Linux).

If you do not have access to any of the above applications, the easiest way to view the circuit board design contained within a BRD file is to upload it to Altium 365 Viewer, a free, online CAD file viewer (Web).

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Programs that open BRD files

Windows
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Mac
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Linux

KiCad PCB Design File

Developer KiCad
Popularity
3.1  |  19 Votes
 

CAD file created by KiCad, a free, cross-platform electronics design automation (EDA) program; stores a PCB layout and includes electronic components and their connections as drawn on the program's design canvas.

Programs that open BRD files

Windows
Free
Mac
Free
Linux
Free

Cadence Allegro PCB Design

Developer Cadence Design Systems
Popularity
3.1  |  16 Votes
 

A BRD file may also be a printed circuit board (PCB) schematic created by Cadence Allegro PCB Designer or OrCAD PCB Designer. It contains binary data that, when loaded in PCB Designer, appears as a circuit board design.

More Information

Cadence Allegro PCB Designer is a CAD program that electrical engineers use to prototype PCBs. The designs that engineers create in Allegro PCB Designer are saved as BRD files.

Other Cadence CAD programs can also create and load BRD files. For example, OrCAD PCB Designer allows engineers to save circuit board layouts as BRD files.

How to open a BRD file

You can open a BRD file in Cadence Allegro PCB Designer (Windows), OrCAD PCB Designer (Windows), and Allegro Viewer (Windows). Allegro Viewer is a free BRD file viewer available for download from Cadence's website.

How to convert a BRD file

You can use Cadence Allegro PCB Designer to convert BRD files to many standard PCB formats (including the Gerber format), as well as the .PDF format.

Programs that open BRD files

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