Conversion tools and information

This file describes the process of converting the DFM guided SparkFun-Eagle-Libraries repo to kicad format, while maintaining DFM guidelines.

Process

Make sure repo is in "C:\github\SparkFun-KiCad-Libraries"

This is the evolving breakdown of tasks required to transfer the full set of sparkfun libraries.

Convert bulk of libraries to Kicad Manual operation
- Use "Out put new part for every foot print type" in lachlanA's ULP
Use .bat file to run script for all libraries (check paths within)
- Use custom script to (for each Eagle .lbr):
  - Detag and copy descriptions to .dcm files
  - Add fields for PROD_ID for each KiCad part
  - Add PROD_ID keyword for each part
    - If not found, apply XXX-00000 for prod id
  - Scrub errant footprint filters by reference Footprint field
  - Report statistics to validate script operation
Load and save-as for all .mod files to convert to .pretty format. Manual operation
Combine all .mod files to a single .pretty folder. Manual operation
- There will be duplicate file names (should be identical)
- There will be similar footprint .mod files (should be identical)
Weed out (about 3) spare F8 commands that were not saved correctly in the lib files (KiCad will tell you they are broken)
Convert line graphics of .kicad_mod files to poly graphics using other bat
- Output ends up in Export.pretty
- When satisfied, overwrite Sparkfun.pretty with contents of Export.pretty

Convert bulk of libraries/boards to Kicad

This task is done from within eagle. Open each library and run the conversion .ulp file ../Tools/eagle-to-kicad_ulp/eagle-lbr2kicad-1.0.ulp. This is a modified version of lachlanA's script, from https://github.com/lachlanA/eagle-to-kicad-libs.

During this stage, select

"Output a new part for every footprint type"
"Don't prefix the library name to the footprint name in module"

for each library.

When complete

move the log files to ../Tools/SparkFun-Eagle-Libraries_Conversion/EagleExportLogs
Copy .lib and .mod files to ../Libraries
Delete originals when you are happy

Use batch files to convert internal part names and DFM stuff

Run ../Tools/SparkFun-Eagle-Libraries_Conversion/Python/RunOnExportedLibs.bat.

The following files will be made and placed within ../Libraries

name.lib files
name.dcm files
ConvertSFELibsLog.txt

Move the log file to ../Tools/SparkFun-Eagle-Libraries_Conversion/PythonScriptLogs

Load and save-as for all .mod files to convert to .pretty format.

Create a new project in KiCad named something like "import_n*.
Go into the footprint editor, manage libraries, and remove all.
With the library wizard, append exported .mod files to project (not global)
For each library,
- Set library active
- Save-as to location ../Footprints
- Append with name (such as SparkFun-Aesthetics.mod)
  - Ex: C:\github\SparkFun-KiCad-Libraries\Footprints\Aesthetics.pretty

Tip: copy base path to text doc for easy copy-paste. Also, browse .mod folder to copy paste names. This is truely the most painful part.

Combine all .mod files to a single .pretty folder.

Call this /Footprints/SparkFun.pretty

When deciding which duplicated part name to use, ditch the most specific and keep the most generalized

Weed out script failures

Load libraries into test KiCad project (AKA import_n.pro)

Open schematic lib editor
Remove all libs from library manager
Add all .lib files from ../Libraries
Click brows components
- Will report error in file and line number. Look for misplaced "F" commands
- Move errant lines up to last "F" position, usually after F3
- Rename F8 to F4

Tip: Open all .libs in notepad++ and search "F8" in all open files.

Convert polys

Run ../Tools/SparkFun-Eagle-Libraries_Conversion/Python/ConvertLinesPolys.bat.

Files will go to: C:\github\SparkFun-KiCad-Libraries\Tools\SparkFun-Eagle-Libraries_Conversion\Export.pretty

Copy kicad_mod files back into SparkFun.pretty

You are done enough!

At this point, libs should be useable. Keepout is now on user layers, should be on other layer (script?)

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