#!/usr/bin/env python ''' Heavily borrowed from this location: https://github.com/blairbonnett-mirrors/kicad/blob/master/demos/python_scripts_examples/plot_board.py Parameters Takes 2 parameters 1. Path to kicad file 2. Location of where to save pdfs A python script example to create various plot files from a board: Fab files Doc files Gerber files Important note: this python script does not plot frame references. the reason is it is not yet possible from a python script because plotting plot frame references needs loading the corresponding page layout file (.wks file) or the default template. This info (the page layout template) is not stored in the board, and therefore not available. Do not try to change SetPlotFrameRef(False) to SetPlotFrameRef(true) the result is the pcbnew lib will crash if you try to plot the unknown frame references template. Usage There are 4 main lines that generate a file. e.g.. pctl.SetLayer(F_SilkS) pctl.OpenPlotfile("Silk", PLOT_FORMAT_PDF, "Assembly guide") pctl.PlotLayer() pctl.ClosePlot() The first line takes the F.Silks layer The second line takes 3 parameters (file-name-append, file type, unknown) The third line actually plots the layer The forth line reads the temp file and writes it out to a pdf You can write to the following formats PLOT_FORMAT_SVG PLOT_FORMAT_PDF PLOT_FORMAT_GERBER ''' import sys from pcbnew import * filename = sys.argv[1] # e.g left-main/left-main.kicad_pcb board = LoadBoard(filename) pctl = PLOT_CONTROLLER(board) popt = pctl.GetPlotOptions() # popt.SetOutputDirectory("plot/") popt.SetOutputDirectory(sys.argv[2]) # Set some important plot options: popt.SetPlotFrameRef(False) popt.SetLineWidth(FromMM(0.35)) popt.SetAutoScale(False) popt.SetScale(1) popt.SetMirror(False) popt.SetUseGerberAttributes(True) popt.SetExcludeEdgeLayer(False); popt.SetScale(1) popt.SetUseAuxOrigin(True) # This by gerbers only (also the name is truly horrid!) popt.SetSubtractMaskFromSilk(False) plot_plan = [ ("F.Paste", F_Paste, "Paste front"), ("B.Paste", B_Paste, "Paste bottom"), ("F.Silk", F_SilkS, "Silk front"), ("B.Silk", B_SilkS, "Silk bottom"), ("F.Mask", F_Mask, "Mask front"), ("B.Mask", B_Mask, "Mask bottom"), ("Edge.Cuts", Edge_Cuts, "Edges"), ("Cmts.User", Cmts_User, "User comments"), ] layers = board.GetEnabledLayers() for layerNum in layers.CuStack(): layerName = board.GetLayerName(layerNum) description = "Copper Layer " + layerName plot_plan.append((layerName, layerNum, description)) for layer_info in plot_plan: pctl.SetLayer(layer_info[1]) pctl.OpenPlotfile(layer_info[0], PLOT_FORMAT_PDF, layer_info[2]) pctl.PlotLayer() ###################### #### AssyTop.pdf ##### ###################### # Our fabricators want two additional gerbers: # An assembly with no silk trim and all and only the references # (you'll see that even holes have designators, obviously) popt.SetSubtractMaskFromSilk(False) popt.SetPlotReference(True) popt.SetPlotValue(False) popt.SetPlotInvisibleText(True) pctl.SetLayer(F_SilkS) pctl.OpenPlotfile("AssyTop", PLOT_FORMAT_PDF, "Assembly top") pctl.PlotLayer() ############################### #### AssyOutlinesTop.pdf ##### ############################### # And a gerber with only the component outlines (really!) popt.SetPlotReference(False) popt.SetPlotInvisibleText(False) pctl.SetLayer(F_SilkS) pctl.OpenPlotfile("AssyOutlinesTop", PLOT_FORMAT_PDF, "Assembly outline top") pctl.PlotLayer() ###################### #### Layout.pdf ##### ###################### # The same could be done for the bottom side, if there were components popt.SetUseAuxOrigin(False) ## For documentation we also want a general layout PDF ## I usually use a shell script to merge the ps files and then distill the result ## Now I can do it with a control file. As a bonus I can have references in a ## different colour, too. popt.SetPlotReference(True) popt.SetPlotValue(True) popt.SetPlotInvisibleText(False) # Remember that the frame is always in color 0 (BLACK) and should be requested # before opening the plot popt.SetPlotFrameRef(False) pctl.SetLayer(Dwgs_User) pctl.OpenPlotfile("Layout", PLOT_FORMAT_PDF, "General layout") pctl.PlotLayer() # Do the PCB edges in yellow popt.SetColor(YELLOW) pctl.SetLayer(Edge_Cuts) pctl.PlotLayer() ## Comments in, uhmm... green popt.SetColor(GREEN) pctl.SetLayer(Cmts_User) pctl.PlotLayer() # Bottom mask as lines only, in red # popt.SetMode(LINE) popt.SetColor(RED) pctl.SetLayer(B_Mask) pctl.PlotLayer() # Top mask as lines only, in blue popt.SetColor(BLUE) pctl.SetLayer(F_Mask) pctl.PlotLayer() # Top paste in light blue, filled popt.SetColor(BLUE) # popt.SetMode(FILLED) pctl.SetLayer(F_Paste) pctl.PlotLayer() # Top Silk in cyan, filled, references in dark cyan popt.SetReferenceColor(DARKCYAN) popt.SetColor(CYAN) pctl.SetLayer(F_SilkS) pctl.PlotLayer() ######################## #### Assembly.svg ##### ######################## popt.SetTextMode(PLOTTEXTMODE_STROKE) pctl.SetLayer(F_Mask) pctl.OpenPlotfile("Assembly", PLOT_FORMAT_PDF, "Master Assembly") pctl.SetColorMode(True) # We want *everything* popt.SetPlotReference(True) popt.SetPlotValue(True) popt.SetPlotInvisibleText(True) # Remember than the DXF driver assigns colours to layers. This means that # we will be able to turn references on and off simply using their layers # Also most of the layer are now plotted in 'line' mode, because DXF handles # fill mode almost like sketch mode (this is to keep compatibility with # most CAD programs; most of the advanced primitive attributes required are # handled only by recent autocads...); also the entry level cads (qcad # and derivatives) simply don't handle polyline widths... # # Here I'm using numbers for colors and layers, I'm too lazy too look them up:P popt.SetReferenceColor(19) popt.SetValueColor(21) popt.SetColor(0) # popt.SetMode(LINE) pctl.SetLayer(B_SilkS) pctl.PlotLayer() popt.SetColor(14) pctl.SetLayer(F_SilkS) pctl.PlotLayer() popt.SetColor(2) pctl.SetLayer(B_Mask) pctl.PlotLayer() popt.SetColor(4) pctl.SetLayer(F_Mask) pctl.PlotLayer() popt.SetColor(1) pctl.SetLayer(B_Paste) pctl.PlotLayer() popt.SetColor(9) pctl.SetLayer(F_Paste) pctl.PlotLayer() popt.SetColor(3) pctl.SetLayer(Edge_Cuts) pctl.PlotLayer() # Export the copper layers too... exporting one of them in filled mode with # drill marks will put the marks in the WHITE later (since it tries to blank # the pads...); these will be obviously great reference points for snap # and stuff in the cad. A pctl function to only plot them would be # better anyway... popt.SetColor(17) # popt.SetMode(FILLED) popt.SetDrillMarksType(PCB_PLOT_PARAMS.FULL_DRILL_SHAPE) pctl.SetLayer(B_Cu) pctl.PlotLayer() popt.SetColor(20) popt.SetDrillMarksType(PCB_PLOT_PARAMS.NO_DRILL_SHAPE) pctl.SetLayer(F_Cu) pctl.PlotLayer() # At the end you have to close the last plot, otherwise you don't know when # the object will be recycled! pctl.ClosePlot() # We have just generated 21 plotfiles with a single script