What is a .GTP file?
A .GTP file is a type of file used by people who design and make printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are the boards inside electronics that connect all the components together. This file is specifically for the Guitar Pro Tablature but in the context of PCB design, it's a bit like a detailed plan or blueprint for just the top layer of the PCB where solder paste needs to be applied. Solder paste is a sticky material used to attach tiny parts to the board.
The .GTP file is created by special computer programs used by engineers and designers. These programs include Autodesk EAGLE, gEDA, Gerbv, Altium Designer, and Viewplot. They help in designing the layout of the PCB, and then they can export this layout as a .GTP file. This file is written in a format called RS-274X, which is a standard way of describing the images and design of PCB layers. It's the most common format used today for these types of files.
The main purpose of the .GTP file is to be used as a guide for making stencils. A stencil is a thin sheet with holes or designs cut out of it. When making a PCB, the stencil is placed over the board, and then solder paste is spread over it. The paste only goes through the holes or designs onto the board below. This is how the tiny parts of the board, like pads for surface-mount devices (SMDs), get the solder paste applied in just the right places.
You can think of a .GTP file as being similar to a .PDF file. Just like a PDF is a document that shows exactly how a page should look but isn't meant to be changed, a .GTP file shows how the top paste layer of a PCB should look but isn't meant to be edited. It's a final output that's used to guide the manufacturing process.
The Gerber format, which includes .GTP files, was originally created by a company called Gerber Systems. It's now looked after by a company named Ucamco. This format is very important in the world of electronics manufacturing because it's a universal way of sharing detailed PCB designs across different software and hardware, ensuring that everyone involved in making a PCB is working from the same plan.
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