Is there any way to create a GDS file starting from a PCB designed in KiCad? I am trying KiCad→SVG→svg2GDS but the last step is giving me some headaches.
No idea, but for the small look around that I did looking at what was GDS
GDSII stream format (GDSII), is a binary database file format which is the de facto industry standard for electronic design automation (EDA) data exchange of integrated circuit (IC) or IC layout artwork.[1] It is a binary file format representing planar geometric shapes, text labels, and other information about the layout in hierarchical form (two-dimensional/2D CAD file format). The data can be used to reconstruct all or part of the artwork to be used in sharing layouts, transferring artwork between different tools, or creating photomasks.
it seems to me that an easier or maybe a try out path would be Gerber->GDSII, like outlined here:
How to Convert RS-274X Gerber Files to GDSII
- Download full printed circuit board design from source
- Unzip the design and navigate to the Gerber files in the electrical aspects
- Gerber files may have any file extension but the typical ones include .pcb, .art, .gbr or .ger, .top or .bot, and .gtl or .gbl
- Excellon NC drill files likewise may have any file extension but the typical ones include .txt, .drl, .exc, .xln, .drd, and .tap
- Unfortunately, most drill files use US customary units instead of SI units regardless of what measurement system the design software set, so scaling is typically needed as done below
- Use gerbv, a free and open source tool for Gerber file viewing and limited editing that is part of the gEDA project, to remove the mechanical drawing title block from each copper layer if it exists
- Use KLayout to import the Gerber files for each of the N layers and the drill files for plated through-holes, all depths of blind vias, and all intervals of buried vias into a single GDSII file (part of the import tool)
- Scale the N - 1 via layers by 2.54 cm/in. and carefully reposition them so that they align perfectly with the N metal layers
- Save the resulting GDSII file to the working location with overlapping metal removed and discarding information that the older GDSII file format does not support but was imported from the Gerber files
- Write a simulation input file in the working location with the stackup information from the design schematics
or this tool.
I hope this helps
1 Like
here is another possibility. I believe ic layout program lasi has a dxf to gds converter (and perhaps gerber also).
If you can convert gerber to dxf then use lasi to get to gds.
lasi used to be available from university of Idaho i believe.
There is a very old program call iced. This one is at University of Michigan i believe. That may have some converters also.
Let us know if you find a path for this.
Are you an IC designer wishing to use kicad?