Import boards from altium

[JeffYoung]

In general in the software realm “open” means high-fidelity and “import” means lower fidelity.

Specifically in KiCad, we consider a fidelity bug in “open” to be high priority (or even critical if some data is lost), and a fidelity bug in “import” to be medium or low priority (depending on prevalence).

[craftyjon]

M852 moved their discussion (and I’m using that word generously) of Altium importer to this thread. If a moderator stops by, I think all the posts since m852 started posting in this thread could be moved back to tthe original Altium thread.

@Docara

I also think is is not unreasonable that if you are specifying something it does what you say it does. If you bought a car, say, which stated it does 80mph on the motorway but you find it actually does 50 how would it make you feel? Then, when you highlight it to the manufacturer they just say “but it takes to the supermarket OK” and “I think you are complaining for the sake of complaining” - how would it make you feel?

You invite us the users to participate in KiCAD but when we comment on something you (the developers) don’t like, often you guys not only forcibly ‘shut the door’ on a poster but make a snidey comment.
This seems to be an increasing trend - It’s not nice and needs to stop.

Where in the KiCad “specification” does it say that KiCad can import Altium boards perfectly with no errors, guaranteed?

I don’t take issue with anyone pointing out problems with the Altium importer. What I take issue with is:

• People expecting that an Altium importer can’t be present in KiCad unless it is perfect
• People vaguely pointing out (or ranting about) issues instead of reporting specific bugs on GitLab
• People expecting a stable release to be delayed until the Altium importer is perfect (???)

If you think I’m being overly snide or harsh to m852, I suggest taking a look through their post history and see how people keep trying to explain over and over again how KiCad development works and how they can be a useful participant, and they keep ignoring this information.

[m852]

I’m not asking for an ideal importer, but just a working one … because how to find a component that the importer broke among 1000 others is either impossible or very difficult … if you declare this function, then it should work sanely, otherwise such a function is not needed … this function is very important to increase the number of users and to sculpt to sculpt there is a github for this…

[m852]

I allow small bugs, for example, in fonts or in color … but sorry, when the program draws something that is not on your board, then this tool can be considered not working … which cannot be said about the reverse conversion …

[m852]

Starting from version 7, I started using the importer and gross errors began to come out, but except for me, for several months this is unnecessary for message users 0 ) I conclude that it is not necessary, they do not use it

[paulvdh]

I’m loosing focus in this thread.
My topic has nothing to do with importers.

Note that M852 also started a thread on altium importer 3 weeks ago:

Import boards from altium

The key phrase is important for you… For me personally, it is unimportant, I have been working in altium for 10 years and still work… In my free time I study other packages… looking at this topic, no one needs it except me, then the question is why ?) per month 0 posts If this function is important for users, then there would be messages, and so they are not displayed? Why fund something you don’t need? Even if they bring me a project in kicad, I will perfectly convert it to altium without danc…

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I’m tempted to delete this post, as it adds nothing here and I posted in the Schematic editor is very slow on large schematic thread before retiredfeline cleaned up that tread (many thanks). However I also dislke the “topic deleted” posts and I’ll leave it for “completeness”.

[jmk]

@paulvdh

I’m tempted to delete this post, as it adds nothing here and I posted in the Schematic editor is very slow on large schematic thread before retiredfeline cleaned up that tread (many thanks). However I also dislke the “topic deleted” posts and I’ll leave it for “completeness”.

When a level 4 deletes their own post, it disappears instantly, unlike other levels that remain for 24 hours.

[m852]

solid and others work fine with the step format, so the problem is solved there … this also applies to drawings in dwg format … altium and cost are a relative concept … I already lost more working time on the converter in this topic than altium costs … in my country, altium was generally banned for sale, I think you yourself know)))

[RaptorUK]

@m852

solid and others work fine with the step format, so the problem is solved there

It’s not solved at all, take a Solidworks file export to STEP and then import that to anything else . . . you then have a block that you can’t see design intent or how it was constructed, you can’t adjust any parametric values, etc, etc. That’s like saying Altium exports to Gerber so that problem is solved . . .

[m852]

This is more an exception than a rule … For example, we have entire departments working in different systems and perfectly exchanging the step

[RaptorUK]

@m852

we have entire departments working in different systems and perfectly exchanging the step

For finished parts, sure. For parts part way through design or development then no, if you have to change CAD system part way through design or development it’s better to start again re-drawing the part in the new CAD system.

[m852]

How to import footprints from altium library free of charge? When specifying a footprint in the settings of libraries in the Altium format, the message “Access denied” constantly appears… How is the import done and what format should the footprint be in?
Footprint for example
PCB - RESISTOR - CHIP - RES 0603_1608 RF.zip (569.6 KB)

[dsa-t]

Sounds like your project and/or libraries directory/files are read-only, or otherwise not accessible.

[m852]

I tried all the options with access and footprint movement … Do you convert this footprint?

[dsa-t]

Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries… > Click on the arrow near “Add Existing” button with folder icon > Altium > Choose file

[dsa-t]

@m852

Access denied

What file does it say “Access denied” to?

[dsa-t]

Also make sure it is not on network drive.

[m852]

Thanks, I figured it out … an access error appears if you add the path to this library … If you do it as you described, then there are no problems

[m852]

Is it possible to batch convert altium libraries to kiсad? Or groups of sivles or groups of seats?
Batch and not one by one component saving in kicad format

[dsa-t]

You can select multiple files in the file chooser.