Hi folks, I have pushed a patch to my github patches project (git clone https://github.com/cbernardo/kicad-patches.git)
The patch name is export_idf3_libs.patch and was created against Rev 4632. The patch adds IDFv3 component library support; the addition of this feature provides users with the IDF support required for interaction with mechanical designers. The IDF specification provides for more features but MCAD packages vary in the implementation of those features and at this stage it makes no sense to add such features to the KiCad exporter, so we may consider this patch as completing IDF support. The exporter has been tested with components placed on both sides of the board and with various component rotations to ensure that the result is as expected. The IDF files created (*.emn, *.emp) were imported into SolidWorks without any problems at all. What's missing: I need to create documentation for how to create the IDF files used to represent components. Initially the files will have to be hand crafted as I have done for my initial tests. Later I will create a tool to import footprints from DXF and I plan to create tools for parametric generation of some footprints. How to create *.idf files for input: The structure of the component outline (footprint) is specified in the IDFv3 documentation (idf_v30_spec.pdf available on the web) but I will give a brief description here. 0. The IDF file contents must be 7-bit ASCII encoded; UTF-8 may produce unspecified behavior. 1. The *.idf file may begin with a number of comment lines; these comment lines must have a '#' as the first character in the line. When the IDF board description is exported, the comment lines are copied in order to preserve any comments supplied by the user; useful comments would include information such as references to documents used in creating the files. 2. After the comments is the section declaration; this may be one of '.ELECTRICAL' or '.MECHANICAL'; the case does not matter (per IDFv3 spec.). 3. Immediately after the section declaration is RECORD 2 (the section declaration is RECORD 1). This consists of 4 fields separated by one or more spaces. Strings which have spaces in them must be quoted. The fields are: a. Geometry name: this field may convey package type, orientation, or whatever special ways people bend the pins of a device. For example, it may be "SOT-23" or "TO-92 with strangely bent legs". Personally I would recommend using it for the package name only, so "SOT-23" and "TO-92"; further information can be stuffed into the "Part Number" instead. This is my preference because SolidWorks names the imported mechanical part according to the Geometry name. Other MCAD packages may use a different criterion such as the Part Number. b. Part Number: this is obviously intended as the manufacturer part number such as BS107. Personally I would use it as an added description to the Geometry Name; for example I would put something like "NORMAL" or "0.1-inch pin spacing, straight" c. Units: must be one of MM or THOU (case does not matter) d. Height: a float indicating the height of the extruded footprint 4. After RECORD 2 comes RECORD 3 which lists the points in the outline; the X, Y coordinate of the last point must match the X, Y coordinate of the first point except where the outline is a simple circle. The outline is very simple; there may not be any cutouts and there must be only one outline. RECORD 3 consists of 4 fields: a. Loop Index: 0 = points are specified in CCW order 1 = points are specified in CW order. b. X coordinate c. Y coordinate d. Included angle If the included angle is 0, then a line is drawn from [X(n-1), Y(n-1)] to [X(n), Y(n)]. If the included angle is positive/negative, then an arc is drawn CCW/CW from [X(n-1), Y(n-1)] to [X(n), Y(n)]. If the angle is 360 (-360 is not allowed) then a circle is drawn with the center at [X(n-1), Y(n-1)] and [X(n), Y(n)] is a point on the circle. A circle is a closed outline so if a circle is specified it must be the only outline. 5. After all RECORD 3 entries have been specified, the section must be terminated with '.END_ELECTRICAL' or '.END_MECHANICAL' as appropriate. Example IDF component files: FILE 1: a simple circular outline # simple tube which can represent a vertical tubular capacitor .ELECTRICAL "TUBE" "5mm dia, 5mm height" MM 5 0 0 0 0 0 2.5 0 360 .END_ELECTRICAL FILE 2: an outline resembling an inverted 'T': # test target for verifying rotations of components on back of board. # 2 thru-holes are to be 1.0mm diameter and 5mm apart along X axis # 1 thru-hole is to be 1.0mm diameter and 8mm along the Y axis .ELECTRICAL UPSIDEDOWN "CAPITAL T" MM 4.2 0 -0.5 8 0 0 -0.5 0.5 0 0 -2.5 0.5 0 0 -2.5 -0.5 180 0 2.5 -0.5 0 0 2.5 0.5 180 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 0.5 8 0 0 -0.5 8 180 .END_ELECTRICAL Feel free to zip and email me any models you export; I can check the results in SolidWorks and post back a mechanical model if you wish. - Cirilo _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : [email protected] Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
