I’m working at a company where there are limited licenses, and me being an intern, don’t have access to the “standard” PCB design software (it’s not actually standardized at the company, but everyone seems to use the same stuff). Anyways, I am now in the process of a peer review for my layout, and I’m trying to make it easier for people to see my design so that they don’t have to get IT involved and get KiCAD installed on their computer.
Is there any .exe file that can view KiCAD PCB files without admin privileges?
Or is there a way to convert .kicad_pcb files to .brd files (because that’s what everyone uses here)?
Good question, KiCad used to be distributed as a zip which didn’t require admin to install. You could create a zip by zipping “c:\program files\Kicad”.
There are a few people creating online viewers, not sure how usable they are.
I’m not sure I understand what you mean… What software are the other people using? I believe they are using Altium or GenCAD (Is that a thing?). I talked to them a while ago, so I’m sorry I don’t remember.
I suggested that but my boss didn’t like the idea of proprietary information being stored on an external website, but in my personal experience, this one is good: https://eyrie.io/
Okay, I’ll try that. It looks like the zipped folder comes out to be 469 MB, so my next step is finding a way to send it to people in my company that my boss will be okay with… Meanwhile, do you think the file conversion route could work? Because then I could just add that to our internal SVN repo.
I understand your situation but why on Earth would they let you use software they don’t want to go through the trouble of having access too? If I were an outside contractor I’d probably roll it up in some version of Linux with a live version and let them boot it from USB or DVD.
I seriously don’t understand it. Why is creating an IT ticket such a big deal? It takes 1 minute, and they’ll set up the install in less than 5 minutes once they come around to their desk.
I didn’t know that. I’ll tell that to my boss, but I’m thinking the specific people that are doing my peer review use GenCAD or some other program that comes pre-installed when they start working here.
Ummmm . . . . aren’t there other, more fundamental, questions here?
That’s a good question to start with, but it goes deeper than that.
So your employer gave you an assignment to lay out a printed wiring board, but didn’t provide the tools for the job. Did the employer also ask you to provide your own workdesk, arrange for your telephone service, supply the electricity to light your work area, etc? Is this an organization you want to be affiliated with? (I am not a lawyer, but in the U.S. I think this pushes the limits for distinguishing between an “employee”, and an “outside contractor”.)
Is circuit board layout a common activity in this organization? Some of your questions - and your employer’s responses - seem to indicate a general unfamiliarity with the basic process. This, by itself, is not shameful - there are several threads on this Forum where the community helped somebody lay out a board for the very first time. And Peer Reviews are a good thing - I would say, a VERY Good Thing! But if I am going to benefit from comments made by somebody reviewing my layout, I’d expect that person to know that Gerber files are the de facto standard for presenting a final PCB layout. Some commercial programs have built-in Gerber viewers; others come bundled with a stand-alone Gerber viewer. For reviewing and critiquing a final design, Gerber files are adequate and acceptable.
Nope, it’s actually not an organization that I want to work for, but I need the money. You’re preaching to the choir here. It is literally the only company that gave me an interview and they pay about half as much as the rest of the industry in the area for interns. It’s well known among the engineers that this company is run poorly, and all I ever hear is complaining amongst themselves.
This company is an electronic engineering company, so schematics, layouts, and software are their primary selling points, with mechanical hardware only being a box that contains the money-maker.
I’m just trying to work with the situation I have found myself in for the time being. This is, in fact, the first board I’ve ever made, and I just assumed Gerber files would be good enough, but oh well.
When you used “intern” I knew you were not in a position to have much input. Make the best of it. In every company workers know who the workers are so try and put yourself in a position that they will be willing to be references later on.
I am curios how you came to use Kicad in that environment though. After all, it seems they gave you work to do and then told you they wouldn’t give you the tools to do it.
It is obvious that you are in an odd work environment situation. The Gerber files should be all that you need to provide; as this is what the board fab house will require.
Otherwise, I might suggest that you get IT to install KiCad on at least one computer for your review. Then ensure you also demonstrate the push/shove router and the 3D viewer.
Do they do do truly original design work, or are they mostly documenting and packaging somebody else’s concept into a manufacturable form? In an environment like that you should be getting more support and guidance from the experienced staff about how to create those schematics and layouts in an efficient manner.
My boss suggested it because he’s all into open source and adaptable hardware and software so I had IT install it on my computer. They wouldn’t let me get one of the other programs they use because of license issues.