Best way to create component from existing board

[Andrea_Simeoni]

I have a Kicad project of a complete board (schematic + layout).
This board is a plug-in module, with holes and headers.

The goal is to create my own component (symbol + footprint) to use this module in my “carrier” board.
I know how to make them from scratch of course, but here I wonder if there is a “smart” way to create at least the footprint from the existing layout without measure all the distances, diameters, etc… by hand.

[der.ule]

I believe you could use StepUp to import the board in FreeCAD and generate a footprint. Almost sure that @maui posted a video about this, but I could not find it.

[name_name]

Yes it is very easy!

Open KiCad gerber viewer (the black icon; GBR)
Open gerber plot files, if you can’t find any in the directory make sure the filter thing in the bottom of the file picker is set to all files (*) at least on ubuntu 20
then go file > export to pcbnew and follow the instructions it gives you, it can be quite tricky to know which layers to export and as what but remember that gerbers do not have any net info so you cant get the track data really

I only use this functionality to export size & hole locations etc

[maui]

there is also a script to convert a pcb to a footprint:

Is there a way to convert whole PCB in new footprint?

Hi everyone ! I’m wondering if there is a way (or magic tool ^^) to make a new footprint from a PCB file ? In my case, i’m doing a small PCB which will be plug on others biggest PCB (like mother board). It’s easy to make a schematic symbol, but when I’m face to drawing the footprint… but since I designed the PCB of my small card, with all pads at right position, is there a way to transform the PCB file into a footprint ? I think we have to use only pads and edge cut layout which will give us …

[paulvdh]

From just a few days ago:

Special 3D footprint with I2C MUX placed on it

Hi, I would like to make a “special” 3D footprint model where the components themselves are on a PCB which then has 2 rows of headers. That should be a footprint on itself. The PCB is a I2C MUX adapter with the TCA/PCA9548 as MUX and a few SMD components next to it. The PCB itself is shown below, the headers are missing in the picture. [image] Intention is to make the PCB including the headers (2 rows of 12 1-pin headers) and use it as footprint for this component. I also just read that …