TousstNicolas/JLC2KiCad_lib

Kicad plugin

dzid26 opened this issue · 3 comments

dzid26 commented

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Command line based footprint based downloading and placing on pcb is a little cumbersome

Describe the solution you'd like
GUI kicad plugin shall support:

  • part selection and download
    • temporary footprint fitting on the PCB
    • saving part to a project library
  • removing not needed parts from library

Additional context
I hacked up together a plugin (https://github.com/Springer-Electronics/JLC2KiCad_lib/tree/kicad-plugin) that downloads part to a hardcoded library name in the project directory, and pastes it on PCB canvas.
Currently it can be installed directly in kicad scripts directory.

placing.jlcsc.footprint.mp4
dzid26 commented

I added possibility to quickly paste the footprint or save to the library:
image

TousstNicolas commented

Hi,

This is something I considered a few years back.
At that time, I created a complete standalone GUI in which you could browse the JLCPCB library and configure everything needed.
Then a KiCad issue was created regarding a possible Eeschema API. So I postponed it and planned to release it as a fully functional plugin when it became available.

Unfortunately, I don't have enough time today to work on it.

I may try to revive it and release it "as is" with a few updates needed if I still find the time.

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markusdd commented

FYI: I made a UI now which makes the process more convenient.

Maybe you guys want to check it? I stepped away from doing it in wxwidgets directly in KiCAD because there is not much gain having it in there, but maintaining it is kind of a nightmare.

https://github.com/markusdd/EasyEDA_to_KiCAD_Lib_UI

I released a first windows build, more to follow.

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