Adopt existing designs into a kicad_pcb to reuse pcb layouts for function groups or to have multiple instance of a group
You have the PCB design for a buck regulator and the surounding parts or some analog filter designed. Now you want to reuse it. Unfortunately kicad / pcbnew makes it borderline impossible to integrate / reuse PCB designs - there's no function to include a hierarchical PCB like there is for hierarchical sheets in eeeschema. adopt_subpcb.py to the rescue:
# cd test-rc; python3 ../adopt_subpcb.py \
-o /tmp/test.kicad_pcb \
test-rc/2x-rc.kicad_pcb \
test-rc/rc.kicad_pcb \
test-rc/2x-rc.net \
0 0 0 -2.5
sub(pcb,schematic) is the pcb-design and corresponding schematic you want to reuse
| Structure | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| subschematic | rc.sch | |
| subpcb | rc.kicad_pcb | pcb design created with the standard kicad workflow for the subpcb |
| mainschematic | 2x-rc.sch | mainschematic includes subschematic as hierarchical sheet |
| - hierarchical sheets | - rc: rc.sch | instance 1: hierarchical sheet created with rc.sch as filename and rc as sheet name |
| - ... | - rc2: rc.sch | instance 2 of same subschematic |
| netlist | 2x-rc.net | netlist of the complete schematics |
| pcbdesign | 2x-rc.kicad_pcb | the pcb design featuring subpcb |
before running adopt_subpcb.py, you have to open pcbnew for the pcbdesign and read the netlist, resulting in your design being populated with the parts. child_module_ts moves the parts and imports traces and vias from the subpcb, thereby adopting that design.
- You have to specify coordinates at which the origin of the subpcb is inserted into your pcb design.
- If your design features multiple instances of the same subpcb, all instances or the one you specify with --instance are adapted