altium2kicad - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2020, 09:55:07 pm
content: i tried to switch to kidcad with this toolbut it did not go welldoes anyone have the will to explain to a beginner step by stephow to do ithttps://codeload.github.com/foldvarid93/JBC_SolderingStation/zip/masteri wanted to try adding another channel to this schememeans second soldering iron

author: pointhi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2020, 08:07:24 am
content: Download the nightlies and try out the integrated Altium importer. (For now: start pcbnew in standalone mode -> File -> Import -> Non-KiCad file -> Altium Designer)I will develop a schematic importer as well before KiCad 6 release.https://forum.kicad.info/t/work-in-progress-native-altium-importer/20712

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2020, 04:23:11 pm
content: "Download the nightlies"what is nightlies ? ? ?unfortunately I didn't understandi work with linux mintthanks

author: pointhi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2020, 04:39:01 pm
content: Nightlies are the current development version of KiCad. You can get it using an PPA, or with Flatpack:https://kicad.org/download/linux-mint/

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2020, 04:53:04 pm
content: I have now tried to make an envelope through the websitehttp://www2.futureware.at/KiCad/4. Download the resulting ZIP archive, extract it, open the .pro File in KiCad5. In case of problems, review the altium2kicad-conversionlog.txt Logfile in the ZIP archive.If you have any issues with this converter, please file them on the altium2kicad Issue page.but I only got the following filescobra@cobra-Satellite-L500:~/compile/lemilica/foldvarid/JBC_SolderingStation-master_2/altium2kicad$ ls -allsveukupno 11052drwxrwxr-x 6 cobra cobra 4096 lis 1 18:44 .drwx------ 8 cobra cobra 4096 lis 1 18:44 ..-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 7261 lis 1 18:44 altium2kicad-conversionlog.txt-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 40448 tra 3 22:27 BOM_JBC_SolderingIron.xls-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 59 tra 3 22:27 .gitignore-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 5970 tra 3 22:27 JBC_SolderingIron.OutJobdrwxr-xr-x 3 cobra cobra 4096 lis 1 18:43 JBC_SolderingIron-PcbDoc-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 7392768 tra 3 22:27 JBC_SolderingIron.PcbDoc-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 4305 tra 3 22:27 JBC_SolderingIron.PcbDoc.htm-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 322534 lis 1 18:44 JBC_SolderingIron-PcbDoc.kicad_pcb-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 52144 tra 3 22:27 JBC_SolderingIron.PrjPcb-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 58 tra 3 22:27 JBC_SolderingIron.PrjPcbStructuredrwxr-xr-x 3 cobra cobra 4096 lis 1 18:43 JBC_SolderingIron-SchDoc-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 378368 tra 3 22:27 JBC_SolderingIron.SchDoc-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 17183 lis 1 18:44 JBC_SolderingIron-SchDoc-cache.lib-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 364930 lis 1 18:44 JBC_SolderingIron-SchDoc.log-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 49655 lis 1 18:44 JBC_SolderingIron-SchDoc.sch-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 1337547 lis 1 18:44 Pads.html-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 706140 lis 1 18:44 Pads.txt-rw-rw-r-- 1 cobra cobra 517334 tra 3 22:27 Schematic.PDFdrwxr-xr-x 2 cobra cobra 4096 lis 1 18:44 wrl-rw-r--r-- 1 cobra cobra 9833 lis 1 18:44 wrlshapes.kicad_pcbdrwxr-xr-x 2 cobra cobra 4096 lis 1 18:44 wrlshpcobra@cobra-Satellite-L500:~/compile/lemilica/foldvarid/JBC_SolderingStation-master_2/altium2kicad$but there are no required files ending in pro4. Download the resulting ZIP archive, extract it,open the .pro File in KiCad

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2020, 04:59:33 pm
content: Quote from: pointhi on October 01, 2020, 04:39:01 pmcobra@cobra-Satellite-L500:~$ sudo apt install --install-recommends kicad lozinka za cobra:Čitanje popisa paketa... ZavršenoIzgradnja stabla zavisnostiČitanje informacija stanja... Završenokicad je već najnovije inačice (5.1.7-202009280731+a382d34a8~87~ubuntu18.04.1).0 nadograđenih, 0 novo instaliranih, 0 za uklanjanje i 135 bez nadogradnje.cobra @ cobra-Satellite-L500: ~ $ sudo apt install --install-recommends kicad password for cobra:Reading package list ... DoneBuilding an addiction treeReading status information ... Donekicad is already the latest version (5.1.7-202009280731 + a382d34a8 ~ 87 ~ ubuntu18.04.1).0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 135 without upgrade.i seem to have that version with PPA but i don't have that option

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2020, 05:40:45 pm
content: Quote from: pointhi on October 01, 2020, 08:07:24 amI can only choose Eagle or P-Cad the option to select Altium Designer is mute

author: pointhi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2020, 09:51:41 pm
content: There is a package named kicad-nightly in the PPA which you need to install. KiCad 5.1.7 does not include any Altium importer stuff.

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2020, 10:02:09 pm
content: To launch nightly version of a kicad’s binaries, you have to add "-nightly" to the command name:kicad → kicad-nightlypcbnew → pcbnew-nightlyeeschema → eeschema-nightlycobra@cobra-Satellite-L500:~$ pcbnew → pcbnew-nightlyGtk-Message: 23:58:38.555: GtkDialog mapped without a transient parent. This is discouraged.cobra@cobra-Satellite-L500:~$I don't seem to understandedit seems workthanksbut how open schematic ? ? ?eeschema not open ? ? ?thanks

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2020, 05:54:55 pm
content: Apparenly you're new to the term "nightly".It is a common term for open source programs.For commercial programs, you normally only see officially released versions.For Open Source programs, it is common to release "nigtly" versions.The Idea is that these (unofficial) versions are build "overnight", for people who want to try very new features, and for people who want to help with finding bugs in new features that are not implemented properly yet.The "nigtly" versions are not supposed to be bug-free. They are used to find bugs, so they can be eliminated.The bugs in the nigtly versions can also change overnight. Old bugs get eliminated, new bugs get introduced.Something you also have to be aware of:There has also been a file format change in the nightly versions of KiCad, and if you're working on a project in the nightly versions, and you find a bug that makes it impossible to continue on a project, then you can also not go back to the stable version of KiCad for that project. Things like that are common when dealing with nightly versions.This also means you have to do something "special" to get (and start) these versions.Often there is a way to both install a stable version and a "nightly" at the same time.

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2020, 07:44:20 pm
content: ok i opened it firststart pcbnew in standalone mode -> File -> Import -> Non-KiCad file -> Altium Designerthen I saved it as JBC_SolderingIron.kicad_pcband then opened with Kicad eeschemathe envelope duplicated the resistors

author: cobramostar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2020, 08:15:47 pm
content: does anyone have any idea how liberaris resistors not to be double ? ? ?how can i update liberaris or edit ? ? ?thanks

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 03:35:31 pm
content: I never quite understand the ability to import from one package to another, what about all the libraries? I suppose you can continue to edit with the libraries of what you import into.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 07:24:00 pm
content: There are lots of different reasons why it's useful to import PCB's from another "package".Having libraries from the other "package" is often not important.One reason is finding an interesting project, made by others, somewhere on the 'net. If you can import that project into your current program, you can modify it as you wish and make a PCB from it. Changes can be as simple as changing a footprint for a connector, or swapping a uC for another.Then there is software that goes obsolete, or gets more expensive with each version up to a price you can't afford it anymore. I've been bitten by this, and the only thing left of some of my old projects are the PDF's I made of the schematics.Yet another reason is up scaling. If the program you are using is missing features and you need to switch to a program with more capabilities, it's beneficial if you can migrate your old projects to the new program, Especially if that old program is based of perpetual monthly or yearly payments. Why pay for 2 programs?Overall it reduces the effect of vendor lock-in.Ideally (for customers) there would be no need "import" at all. PCB' format would be standardised into a universal format that can be read by any of the programs.This is however a big nightmare for the makers of such programs, as it would eliminate vendor lock-in completely.It would be a dream for people who do PCB design as free-lance work. They can use whatever program they like, without worrying about what program their employer prefers.But indeed, if you are a single person or company, and are happy with the software you have and have no connections with the rest of the world, ten there is no reason to bother wih importing or exporting a project.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2020, 08:04:59 pm
content: Yea, I have used all the cheap ones except eagle and resettled on KiCad as in the time I spent touring the cheap paid options they got a lot better. But yes I am technically locked out of some old projects or it would be a faf to find the licence and hope that version still works on my machine. Fortunately I don't need those projects anymore.