CR5000 to kicad

[UnUser]

Re-opening the CR5000 to Kicad 6.0 converter subject.

I found this project which used it in the past.

Zuken CR-5000 to KiCad converter

Within the collaboration of the KiCad OpenVentilator Group http://openventilator.gitlab.io/, I developed a Python script to convert Zuken CR-5000 (ASCII) PCB files to KiCad. I programmed this in a rush, so it has some amount of hacks, but it is general enough so that 5 original Zuken boards were succesfully converted, and I was able to reproduce complex padstacks with copper removed on some inner layers, so that the Gerbers match faithfully the originals. In case someone wants to give it a try…

Does anyone could help make it work again, help to handle the command lines for the scripts execution or be able to make it as a Plugin module for Kicad 6.0 ?

Thanks to all !

[ferdymercury]

Hi, I wrote that script. I could guide you with running it, just ask if you’re stuck. I don’t have time to develop a plugin for Kicad, but I can give you guidelines on what parts should be rewritten to make it more compact, right now it’s full of hacks.

[UnUser]

Hi ! Thanks for your reply.
I first placed my CR-5000 project in a local directory A:\ and I tried to run the zuken2json.py script from Thonny. I tried the command:
python3 zuken2json.py --path A:/myfolder --fname mypcb
myfolder folder contains mypcb.pcb file.
But still have syntax errors despite trying several command changes.
Is there anything missing or bad expression in “A:/myfolder” or file name ?
Thanks

[ferdymercury]

Did you first export your board in Zuken in ASCII format?

As explained in the header of that script, you need a folder containing:

• Board file (.brd)
• Footprint ASCII file (.ftf)
• PC Board ASCII file (.pcf)
• Library file (.pro)