svg2mod

This is a program / library to convert SVG drawings to KiCad footprint module files.

It includes a modified version of cjlano's python SVG parser and drawing module to interpret drawings and approximate curves using straight line segments. Module files can be output in KiCad's legacy or s-expression (i.e., pretty) formats.

Requirements

• Python 3
• fonttools

Installation

pip install svg2mod

Don't want to install the application?

You can use a 3rd party web application instead:

• svg2mod.streamlitapp.com
• svg2mod.com

Showcase

We'd love to see the amazing projects that use svg2mod.

If you have a project you are proud of please post about it on our github discussions board

Example

svg2mod input.svg

Usage

usage: svg2mod [-h] [-i FILENAME] [-o FILENAME] [-c] [-P] [-v] [--debug] [-x]
               [--force LAYER] [-d DPI] [-f FACTOR] [-p PRECISION]
               [--format FORMAT] [--name NAME] [--units UNITS] [--value VALUE]
               [-F DEFAULT_FONT] [-l]
               [IN_FILENAME]

Convert Inkscape SVG drawings to KiCad footprint modules.

positional arguments:
  IN_FILENAME           Name of the SVG file

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -i FILENAME, --input-file FILENAME
                        Name of the SVG file, but specified with a flag.
  -o FILENAME, --output-file FILENAME
                        Name of the module file
  -c, --center          Center the module to the center of the bounding box
  -P, --convert-pads    Convert any artwork on Cu layers to pads
  -v, --verbose         Print more verbose messages
  --debug               Print debug level messages
  -x, --exclude-hidden  Do not export hidden objects
  --force LAYER, --force-layer LAYER
                        Force everything into the single provided layer
  -d DPI, --dpi DPI     DPI of the SVG file (int)
  -f FACTOR, --factor FACTOR
                        Scale paths by this factor
  -p PRECISION, --precision PRECISION
                        Smoothness for approximating curves with line
                        segments. Input is the approximate length for each
                        line segment in SVG pixels (float)
  --format FORMAT       Output module file format (legacy|pretty|latest).
                        'latest' introduces features used in kicad >= 6
  --name NAME, --module-name NAME
                        Base name of the module
  --units UNITS         Output units, if output format is legacy (decimal|mm)
  --value VALUE, --module-value VALUE
                        Value of the module
  -F DEFAULT_FONT, --default-font DEFAULT_FONT
                        Default font to use if the target font in a text
                        element cannot be found
  -l, --list-fonts      List all fonts that can be found in common locations

SVG Files

svg2mod expects images saved in the uncompressed Inkscape SVG (i.e., not "plain SVG") format. This is so it can associate inkscape layers with kicad layers

• Drawings should be to scale (1 mm in Inkscape will be 1 mm in KiCad). Use the --factor option to resize the resulting module(s) up or down from there.

• Most elements are fully supported.

  • A path may have an outline and a fill. (Colors will be ignored.)
  • A path may have holes, defined by interior segments within the path (see included examples).
  • 100% Transparent fills and strokes with be ignored.
  • Text Elements are partially supported

• Groups may be used. Styles applied to groups (e.g., stroke-width) are applied to contained drawing elements.

• Layers or items must be named to match the target in kicad. The supported layers are listed below. They will be ignored otherwise.

  • These are pulled from inkscape:label but will pull from id if the label isn't set.

• If there is an issue parsing an inkscape object or stroke convert it to a path.

  • Use Inkscape's "Path->Object To Path" and "Path->Stroke To Path" menu options to convert these elements into paths that will work.

Layers

This supports the layers listed below. They are the same in inkscape and kicad:

Note: If you have a layer F.Cu, all of its sub-layers will be treated as F.Cu regardless of their names.

Layer Options

Some layers can have options when saving to the newer 'pretty' format.

The options are separated from the layer name by :. Ex F.Cu:...

Some options can have arguments which are also separated from the option key by :. If an option has more than one argument they are separated by a comma. Ex: F.Cu:Pad:1,mask.

If a layer has more than one option they will be separated by ; Ex: F.Cu:pad;...

Supported Arguments:

• Pad

  Any copper layer can have the pad specified. The pad option can be used solo (F.Cu:Pad) or it can also have it's own arguments. The arguments are:

  • Number If it is set it will specify the number of the pad. Ex: Pad:1

  • Paste (Not available for Drill.Cu)

  • Mask (Not available for Drill.Cu)

• Allowed

  Keepout areas will prevent anything from being placed inside them. To allow some things to be placed inside the keepout zone a comma separated list of any of the following options can be used: tracks,vias,pads,copperpour,footprints

• Hatch

  Keepout areas have different hatching styles. This allows customization of the appearance of hatching when converting from an svg, Ex: F.Keepout:Hatch:edge. All available hatch options are none, edge, full.