jiva / svg2shenzhen

Convert Inkscape SVG drawings to KiCad PCB and footprint modules

Svg2Shenzhen

Inkscape extension for exporting drawing into Kicad PCB

Features

• Draw Any kind of shapes without restriction (unlike svg2mod)
• Support Drill Pad, and custom drill size
• Support Edge Cut (PCB Shape)
• Tested on OSX, and Windows and Linux

Install

Download latest version of svg2shenzhen-extension.zip

Extract and copy the files into the directory indicated in Edit -> Preferences -> System: User extensions

How to

1.Extension > Svg2Shenzhen > Prepare Document
2.Choose layer (F.Cu.. etc)
3.Draw PCB
4.Extension > Svg2Shenzhen > Export Kicad

Download and open Example PCB

Tips

1. For Edge.Cut layers, you need to convert any polygons or objects to paths with only an outline, no fill. Don't use any groups on Edge.Cut layers and if you have paths with inner cut outs break them apart into separate paths.
2. For Drill layers, place circle objects and they will be converted into drill pads in KiCad with the same diameter. These drills will not have annular rings unless you also add copper to the F.Cu and B.Cu layers. Don't use any groups on Drill layers either.

Known Bugs

• The port of bitmap2component does not support non square image input, this issue tackled in prepare document by setting the document to square

References

• Svg2Shenzhen Announcement on Gosh Community Forum
• PCB Art with Inkscape - Developer log on 8BitMixtape Wiki
• Practical Guide to Designing PCB Art
• KitSprint ANORG 2018

Buy me a Coffee

• Buy me Coffee - patreon

Contributors

• Budi Prakosa @badgeek
• Kaspar Emanuel @kasbah

Credits

• inkscape-export-layers - https://github.com/jespino/inkscape-export-layers
• bitmap2component (kicad) - https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-source-mirror/tree/master/bitmap2component
• csv_output - https://github.com/tbekolay/csv_output
• svg2mod - https://github.com/mtl/svg2mod