Is there Python script to import a PCB and interactively place it?

David_Briscoe · April 12, 2019, 5:18pm

I would like to import/append a PCB into an existing empty board one at a time. How can I use python to interactively place the imported PCB? Is it possible to write a script that can increment/decrement the X and Y co-ordinates (1 Thou at a time until I press a stop button for instance) of the board so that it can be moved into an empty space on the page. I want to use a script so that I can speed up panellising several PCB’s into one board file.
Does anyone have an example script I can start with ? Thanks.

Jean_Pierre · April 12, 2019, 6:01pm

Hello
Yes, it exists.
You can see here

And here, the source for python script

Jean-Pierre

David_Briscoe · April 13, 2019, 11:39am

Hi,
Thanks. I don’t need to involve any schematics at all. I just need to move ALL the layers (copper AND drill etc) by the same offset. Here is a script for a layout cloner. I need to identify the part of the code that sets the X and Y co-ordinates of the imported board. I probably need a small dialog as well that allows me to stop any X and Y increments.

github.com

tlantela/KiCAD_layout_cloner/blob/master/layout_cloner.py

#!/usr/bin/env python
# -*- coding: UTF-8 -*-

# Script for KiCad Pcbnew to clone a part of a layout. The scipt clones a row or a matrix
# of similar layouts.
#
# For now, there are no command line parameters given for the script, instead all the settings
# are written in this file. Before using this script, you must have your schema ready.
#
# 1. Use hierarchical sheets for the subschemas to be cloned and annotate them 
#    so that each sheet has module references starting with a different hundred.
# 2. Import a netlist into Pcbnew and place all the components except the ones to be cloned.
#    Also create an optimal layout for the subschema to be used as the template for the clones.
#    Surround the layout of the subchema with a zone in the comment layer.
# 3. Save the .kicad_pcb file. Modify SETTINGS at the top of this script to match your board.
#    Run this script.
#
# The script has three main parts:
# First, the script moves the modules, which are already imported into the board file. They are
# moved by a predetermined offset amount compared to the template module. (A module with the same

This file has been truncated. show original

Can anyone identify which parts of the code above determines where the imported PCB ends up? Thanks.

David.

David_Briscoe · April 13, 2019, 12:01pm

Here is another snippet

import sys, os

Add the home directory to sys.path

sys.path.append(“/home/mmccoo/kicad/kicad/install/lib/python2.7/dist-packages”)

import pcbnew

def append_board(main_board, other_board_file, offset):

offset = pcbnew.wxPoint(pcbnew.Millimeter2iu(offset[0]), pcbnew.Millimeter2iu(offset[1]))

other_board = pcbnew.LoadBoard(other_board_file)

for mod in list(other_board.GetModules()):
main_board.Add(mod)
mod.Move(offset)

for net in list(other_board.GetNetsByName().values()):
main_board.Add(net)

for track in list(other_board.GetTracks()):
main_board.Add(track)
track.Move(offset)

for zone in list(other_board.Zones()):
main_board.Add(zone)
zone.Move(offset)

pcbnew.Refresh()

#main_board = pcbnew.GetBoard()
print(“loading main”)
main_board = pcbnew.LoadBoard(“/home/mmccoo/empty.kicad_pcb”)
print(“loading other”)

other_board = “/bubba/electronicsDS/kicad/leddriver2/leddriver2.kicad_pcb”

print(“appending”)
append_board(main_board, other_board, (0,0))
print(“appending”)
append_board(main_board, other_board, (0,50))
print(“appending”)
append_board(main_board, other_board, (0,150))

print(“saving”)
pcbnew.SaveBoard(“/home/mmccoo/collage.kicad_pcb”, main_board)

print(“done”)

From

system · July 12, 2019, 12:01pm

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