I need to trim the big circular PCB in the points highlighted by the red segments.
How can I do it please?
Are you trying to make a semicircular notch in the outline? I think you have to replace the outer circle with an arc.
@retiredfeline yes right.Just what Iâm trying to do.It wa way easier if I could just trim in some way 
I will redo everything then
I think youâll find that it doesnât take long to delete the circle and draw the arc. Unfortunately there are no subtractive operations on lines.
Something similar happens when adding rounded corners, the old edge lines have to be shortened to meet the corner arc at a tangent.
1 Like
It helps a bit if you draw the arc before you delete the circle, because the first (center) point of the arc snaps to the center of the circle. Theyâre also drawn counter clockwise from the second to the third point. You can drag their control points later and snap them to other items. Overall itâs pretty simple and quick.
But it is true that KiCadâs mechanical CAD capabilities are quite limited. If forms become more complicated, itâs better to design them in a mechanical CAD program, then export as DXF and import that in KiCad.
Probably the easiest way is to define what you need in external tool and import it into KiCad. I have tried it once (with LibreCAD) and it worked.
1 Like
All the above are good but, this link will show how to do it using FreeCAD and then using it in Kicad. It demos doing it for Cutouts/etc but, the first shape is a PCB (the rest are cutouts).
The main benefit is in learning a bit about FreeCAD and being able to make accurate dimensions and making a real Drawing for your referenceâŚ
(And, if making a Footprint, Kicadâs Footprint editor has an Import feature in main menu for importing DXF)
@paulvdh yes I followed your suggestion and it made my life easier. I didnât know I could import DXF.
@Piotr I have LibreCAD. I didnât know could design up there and import into KiCAD.
@BlackCoffee I do use FreeCAD. TO design components, but also to design mechanical parts and print them out in 3D or send the files and get the CNC parts ready to use.
Great to learn I can eventually design the PCB contour with another more appropriated CAD and import it into an existing project. Tis will help any changes in the future.
I hope I can do the reverse: to export the mech parts from KiCAD. In case of mods to a pre-existing PCB, I can export it, elaborate and reimport it.
EDIT
Iâm trying.
I donât see DXF here. Not in Import nor in Export
I am at PC without KiCad now. Try to see in Plot. I donât remember how I imported dxf but it was certainly possible.
For PCB, âImport Graphicsâ and load the DXF
For Footrpint, âImport DXFâ
The menu labels arenât clear butâŚ
You can Export your board/etc (STEP or IDFv3 for clean, hassle-free imports. I prefer IDFv3 (less need to cleanup or hide models)
@BlackCoffee To imagine that I had to go on âimport graphicsâ was not exactly intuitive ⌠Since I expect Import DXF being present Export STEP, Export SVG etc âŚ
@Piotr yes found on PLOT as you said. Itâs not the top of the intuitive stuff to put it there 
Thanks 
???
Are you mixing up Import and export?
Also, for âexportâ, use Pcbnew / File / Plot / Plot format: DXF
FreeCAD also has the âKiCad StepUpâ workbench that has quite a lot of functions to exchange data between FreeCAD and KiCad.
1 Like
2 Likes
If you understood Export as intention to export whole PCB and Plot as plotting one layer drawing than putting plotting one layer to any format there will become more intuitive.
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.