Altium Designer is a type of EDA or ECAD software, which stands for electronic design automation that refers to tools that can be used for designing electronics like integrated circuits and printed circuit boards. Therefore, the Altium Designer is a software for printed circuit boards, but also extended for embedded software design, field-programmable gate array of FPGA software design, and library plus release management automation. One of the features of this software is its schematic capture module, which editing tool on electronic circuits is included that allows a user to manage edit schematic document, component library, and integrate other component distributors for data access and components search. This program also has hierarchical and multi-channel schematics, SPICE mixed-signal circuit simulation, and 3D editing of board. The printed circuit board or PCB design module allows a user or a designer to manage component footprint library, place component, trace routing manually and automatically, multi-channel routing or layout, and others.
The PentaLogix ViewMate is a freeware used for viewing Gerber files used in the PCB design and layout. The Gerber file is a data that controls the photo plotter which are primarily used for PCB production. The data contains descriptions of PCB components like copper layers, solder mask, legend, drill holes and others. Photoplotter is a mechanical machine that reveals the actualized image like monochromatic film through the help of a controlled light source and computer. This software is developed by Pentalogix, Inc. and offers three versions namely ViewMate Pro, ViewMate Deluxe and the freeware ViewMate with Smart DFM. Both Deluxe and Pro versions can be used not only by viewing Gerber files but also as Gerber editors. Aside from being able to view and edit Gerber files they are also capable of viewing Excellon drill files. However, the said applications are commercial ware bundled with one year of free updates.