Full python Via Stitching

jsreynaud · December 28, 2016, 11:36am

Hi All,

Please find attached a tool to via stitching in python. It’s work directly on python console inside pcbnew.
I had successfully test it under Linux. Tell me if it’s working on OSX and Windows…
I had use it on daily build of KiCad. Not (yet) tested on stable versions 4.0.X…

To use it:

First you neet to copy this file (named FillArea.py) in your kicad_plugins directory (~/.kicad_plugins/ on Linux)
Launch pcbnew and open python console (last entry of Tools menu)
Then enter the following line (one by one, Hit enter after each)
import FillArea FillArea.FillArea().Run()
Hit F11 to redraw (F3 is not enough)
run DRC.
You will be able to save your document

Is anybody know how to avoid this last 3 steps ?

Screenshot:

The script:
FillArea.py (12.8 KB)

maui · June 5, 2017, 1:07pm

Hi @jsreynaud
are you planning to port it to Action Script?

Maurice

jsreynaud · June 5, 2017, 2:06pm

Yes, I was done since a long time… But never committed.
Now it’s available:

Jostikas · June 25, 2018, 6:12am

A potential improvement suggestion: Check board edges to avoid placing the vias outside the board. I usually do double-sided ground pours by placing the zone borders outside the board for easy access.

Bo_Herrmannsen · October 5, 2018, 2:33pm

where on windows machines should the scripts be placed?

using ver 5.0.0

twl · October 5, 2018, 2:58pm

Why are you using pads instead of vias in your scripts? In Kicad V5, vias retain their nets unless connected to a pad containing a different net.

Tom

Bo_Herrmannsen · October 5, 2018, 3:00pm

i can not even get the script to run

Erik_Hougaard · November 19, 2018, 7:44am

Did you ever make it work on Windows? I can’t seem to import the script.

hildogjr · November 20, 2018, 11:21pm

Nice, since I am using Linux, KiCad still have a issue with GTK3 (standard graphical library) and does’t allow use the python window (just action plugins).

hildogjr · November 20, 2018, 11:26pm

It is reported here

hildogjr · November 20, 2018, 11:27pm

I couldn’t made it run.
Other issue that I found: selected a filled zone, the net in the dialog is always GND (not taking account my selected filled zone).

m3x1m0m · November 25, 2018, 12:09am

Apparently the pcbnew API changed in Kicad 6. This plugin does not work anymore. Is there any replacement for BuildFilledSolidAreasPolygons to fill zones?

github.com

m3x1m0m/kicad-action-scripts/blob/db62687b5242cf27aaa45310bed634b2b1f4a4c6/ViaStitching/FillArea.py#L248


    m.SetTimeStamp(33)  # USE 33 as timestamp to mark this via as generated
    self.pcb.Add(m)

def RefillBoardAreas(self):
    for i in range(self.pcb.GetAreaCount()):
        area = self.pcb.GetArea(i)
        area.ClearFilledPolysList()
        area.UnFill()
        # Could not repair this.
        #if not area.GetIsKeepout():
          #area.BuildFilledSolidAreasPolygons(self.pcb)

def CheckViaInAllAreas(self, via, all_areas):
    '''
    Checks if an existing Via collides with another area
    '''
    # Enum all area
    for area in all_areas:
        area_layer                  = area.GetLayer()
        area_clearance              = area.GetClearance()
        area_priority               = area.GetPriority()

Rene_Poschl · November 25, 2018, 7:33am

There is no KiCad 6. Builds that report them selves as v6 are nightly builds (development snapshots). The ones you get right now will someday become version 5.1.0 (goal is FOSDEM 2019)

The python API can change a lot during fast development phases as there is no abstraction layer between the c code ant the python API. (@pointhi is working on one)
This means that most python plugins do not work well on nightly.
This is only one of the downsides of using nightly builds

m3x1m0m · November 25, 2018, 11:02am

Allright. Thanks. I was not familiar with the development model, that is used here.