A wonderful short article written by Lou Shababy, a PCB Design lead at Eaton Lighting Controls Division, in this month’s issue of PCD&F Magazine. In this article Lou talks about why IPC-2581 is a better format to use.  Besides the hand-off benefits, he argues that since there is intelligence in the data package, DFM checks are more intelligent – “Because Gerber cannot differentiate between A PIN, A VIA OR TRACE, NO useful DFM verification can take place”

Here’s the link to the article – https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=575754#{%22issue_id%22:575754,%22page%22:32}