How to Export from JITX into Kicad¶
We can export a JITX design to a Kicad project that can be opened immediately in Kicad 7 or 8.
Before you start, make sure you have Kicad 7 or 8 installed.
Set up export-cad¶
We configure an export to Kicad in our program by first creating a new design in JITX. Then, add the following code to the end of your main.stanza file.
set-main-module(my-design)
val board-shape = Rectangle(10.0, 10.0)
pcb-board my-circuit-board :
stackup: my-stackup
boundary: board-shape
signal-boundary: board-shape
layer(Silkscreen("F-silk", Top)) =
Text("Board v1.2.3", 2.54, C, loc(0.0, 0.0))
set-board(my-circuit-board)
set-current-design("jitx-design")
set-export-backend(`kicad)
set-use-layout-groups()
export-cad()
set-export-backend(`kicad) This specifies that Kicad should be used for export.
set-use-layout-groups() This defines that components should be grouped in the generated layout by layout-group.
export-cad() Run the exporter.
Custom Layer Mapping¶
Currently, the {@linke type:CustomLayer} geometry is exported using two mappings.
Static Mapping
CustomLayer Layer Name |
Kicad Layer Name |
|---|---|
| "Drawings" | "Dwgs.User" |
| "Comments" | "Cmts.User" |
| "Eco1" | "Eco1.User" |
| "Eco2" | "Eco2.User" |
| "Margin" | "Margin" |
| "Fab" | "Fab" |
Other Custom Layers
Any other custom layers are mapped in order of appearance to the layers User.2, User.3, User.4, ..., User.8. Any custom layers beyond User.8 are all flattened into User.9.
Open Kicad and run the design¶
Launch Kicad.
In JITX, run a generator that includes the export functions defined above.
A ready-to-use Kicad project will be generated for you in the "CAD/kicad" directory. Open this project. You've now imported a JITX design into Kicad!