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From: "Erich Heinzle (a1039181 AT gmail DOT com) [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com]" <geda-user AT delorie DOT com>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2017 08:14:24 +1030
Message-ID: <CAHUm0tN-tU_8+=NDAot4Dzoy=QwHv3HO0dS+HQ-bR_LazA4eQA@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: [geda-user] An Altium layout -> gEDA pathway
To: geda-user <geda-user AT delorie DOT com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Reply-To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com

I recently came across altium2kicad, a set of perl scripts available
on github for conversion of Altium's binary file format into kicad
compatible schematic and layout files:

https://github.com/thesourcerer8/altium2kicad/

I used an exported altium2kicad design to stress test the kicad
s-expression format import and export code following the layer
refactoring in pcb-rnd; it seems that we now have a workable pathway
for conversion of Altium layouts to gEDA PCB/pcb-rnd format.

I've done a brief write-up with screenshots as a bit of a howto for
those interested:

http://vk5hse.blogspot.com/2017/02/altium-to-geda-pcbpcb-rnd-conversion.html

The main issue with the work-in-progress altium2kicad conversion
script is that modules (footprints) are not by default embedded in the
kicad layout with features such as pads, lines or arcs, although the
description, position and name of the module are preserved.

This is not a major drama since the goal will typically be to migrate
the copper and silk layer geometry, with footprints being a secondary
issue.

The approach taken on importing a layout with empty module
descriptions has been to place the element in the PCB layout with a
simple silk line 1 nanometre in length as a placeholder. This allows
the footprint and component values and position to be preserved for
further inspection.

If/when the altium2kicad conversion script embeds more complete module
information, the modules will be imported as discrete elements into
the PCB layout just as any module in a normal kicad layout usually
would be.

If gerbers are available for the same layout, there would be scope to
judiciously use the translate2geda utility's gerber->footprint
capability to snarf the footprint pad geometry for any particular
element of interest.

The code supporting the altium2kicad importing is currently in the
pcb-rnd svn, but not yet in the .deb/Ubuntu packages.

Because the altium2kicad script targets kicad, it converts octagonal
vias and pins/pads into rounded pads, as kicad does not support
octagonal pads, pins or vias. Naturally, converted layouts will need
close inspection.

The convertpcb.pl script will need minor editing, as described in the
HOWTO, to make it export y co-ordinates in the positive hemiplane,
otherwise the exported layout will probably render off the visible
part of PCB's displayed layout.

Currently, the altium2kicad convertpcb.pl script embeds quite a few
comment lines, which also need to be stripped. This is easy enough
using cat and grep, as described in the HOWTO.

Enjoy responsibly!

Erich.