Hello all! I got really into using Flux.ai, a browser-based EDA with AI capabilities. Flux recently removed their free tier, so I’m forced to pay or switch. Naturally, I chose to switch, so I’m returning to KiCAD.
I’m wondering if there is a way to import or convert my Flux projects so I can use them in KiCAD without having to redo all my work? For each project, I have a Gerber file, a BOM file, a pick-and-place file, something called a .d356 file, and a Flux project file (with the extension .flx).
Any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated!
To my knowledge, there is no way to import a native flux file. Assuming you also have a schematic pdf, you certainly can recreate the projects with a little bit of “reverse engineering” work. You’re definitely going to be redoing some of your work, but hopefully the effort is much lower the second time around (since the actual design portion is done).
The flow, as I understand it (from others on the forum):
Re-draft the schematic into KiCad, including making new symbols if needed and associating existing or new footprints.
Open the Gerbers in KiCad’s Gerber Viewer, then import into KiCad’s PCB editor.
Delete pads
Replace pads with new / real footprints snapped to existing traces
Compare new exported gerbers to original gerbers to double check work
Is it a binary file? Or plain text? Can you attach the file here? Probably it won’t help you, but it would be interesting to know if it’s easily readable.
Here’s one possible workflow for reverse engineering gerbers: