This is a small program to convert Inkscape SVG drawings to KiCad footprint module files. It uses cjlano's python SVG parser and drawing module to interpret drawings and approximate curves using straight line segments. Module files can be output in KiCad's legacy or s-expression (i.e., pretty) formats.
Python 3
pip3 install git+https://github.com/zirafa/svg2mod
Note: python3 setup.py install does not work.
svg2mod -i input.svg -p 1.0
usage: svg2mod [-h] -i FILENAME [-o FILENAME] [--name NAME] [--value VALUE] [-f FACTOR] [-p PRECISION] [--format FORMAT] [--units UNITS] [-d DPI] [--center]
Convert Inkscape SVG drawings to KiCad footprint modules.
optional arguments: -h, --help show this help message and exit -i FILENAME, --input-file FILENAME name of the SVG file -o FILENAME, --output-file FILENAME name of the module file --name NAME, --module-name NAME base name of the module --value VALUE, --module-value VALUE value of the module -f FACTOR, --factor FACTOR scale paths by this factor -p PRECISION, --precision PRECISION smoothness for approximating curves with line segments (float) --format FORMAT output module file format (legacy|pretty) --units UNITS output units, if output format is legacy (decimil|mm) -d DPI, --dpi DPI DPI of the SVG file (int) --center Center the module to the center of the bounding box
## SVG Files
svg2mod expects images saved in the uncompressed Inkscape SVG (i.e., not "plain SVG") format.
* Drawings should be to scale (1 mm in Inscape will be 1 mm in KiCad). Use the --factor option to resize the resulting module(s) up or down from there.
* Paths are supported.
* A path may have an outline and a fill. (Colors will be ignored.)
* A path may have holes, defined by interior segments within the path (see included examples). Sometimes this will render propery in KiCad, but sometimes not.
* Paths with filled areas within holes may not work at all.
* Groups may be used. However, styles applied to groups (e.g., stroke-width) are not applied to contained drawing elements. In these cases, it may be necessary to ungroup (and perhaps regroup) the elements.
* Layers must be named according to the rules below.
* Other types of elements such as rect, arc, and circle are not supported.
* Use Inkscape's "Path->Object To Path" and "Path->Stroke To Path" menu options to convert these elements into paths that will work.
### Layers
Layers must be named (case-insensitive) according to the following rules:
| Inkscape layer name | KiCad layer(s) | KiCad legacy | KiCad pretty |
|:-------------------:|:----------------:|:------------:|:------------:|
| F.Cu | F.Cu | Yes | Yes |
| B.Cu | B.Cu | Yes | Yes |
| F.Adhes | F.Adhes | Yes | Yes |
| B.Adhes | B.Adhes | Yes | Yes |
| F.Paste | F.Paste | Yes | Yes |
| B.Paste | B.Paste | Yes | Yes |
| F.SilkS | F.SilkS | Yes | Yes |
| B.SilkS | B.SilkS | Yes | Yes |
| F.Mask | F.Mask | Yes | Yes |
| B.Mask | B.Mask | Yes | Yes |
| Dwgs.User | Dwgs.User | Yes | Yes |
| Cmts.User | Cmts.User | Yes | Yes |
| Eco1.User | Eco1.User | Yes | Yes |
| Eco2.User | Eco2.User | Yes | Yes |
| Edge.Cuts | Edge.Cuts | Yes | Yes |
| F.Fab | F.Fab | -- | Yes |
| B.Fab | B.Fab | -- | Yes |
| F.CrtYd | F.CrtYd | -- | Yes |
| B.CrtYd | B.CrtYd | -- | Yes |
Note: If you have a layer "F.Cu", all of its sub-layers will be treated as "F.Cu" regardless of their names.