altium2kicad: A Versatile Converter for Electronic Design Files

The dynamic landscape of electronic design automation has witnessed a remarkable transformation with the advent of open-source projects that cater to the diverse needs of engineers and developers. One such project hosted on GitHub that has gained recognition is altium2kicad. This utility tool emboldens professionals to convert schematic and PCB layout files originally designed in Altium Designer to the KiCad EDA format, a preferred open-source software for electronic design automation (EDA).

Project Overview:

At the core of altium2kicad lies the problem of limited compatibility between different EDA software. Altium Designer, despite being a front-runner in the EDA sector, presents a significant hurdle due to its proprietary nature, making it inaccessible for a broad spectrum of users. Altium2kicad addresses this challenge by providing a platform-independent and open-source solution to shift design files to the widely used KiCad EDA. Its aims to bridge the gap between proprietary and open-source EDA tools.

Project Features:

The key feature of altium2kicad is its ability to accurately convert both schematic and PCB layout files from Altium to KiCad without losing crucial design information. It supports .SchDoc and .PcbDoc files, maintaining original schematics’ formatting. Furthermore, it handles an array of PCB elements such as layers, tracks, vias, 3D bodies, and more. These features ensure a seamless transition from one platform to another, mitigating potential challenges associated with manually accomplishing the task.

Technology Stack:

Staying true to its open-source initiative, altium2kicad employs Python as its main programming language, which reinforces the project's commitment to accessibility, simplicity, and community engagement. Additionally, Python's robustness and flexibility greatly contribute to the project's success by allowing seamless manipulation and conversion of data. Besides Python, the project utilizes wxPython to provide a GUI for ease of use.

Project Structure and Architecture:

Altium2kicad is developed with a simplistic yet effective architecture focusing on functionality. The primary Python script is the driving force that carries out conversion. It houses various functions to handle different components of a PCB layout including tracks, vias, and more. The smooth interaction among these functions ensures an accurate translation of design attributes from Altium Designer to KiCad.