In this post, I will try to provide you with useful KiCad files information. In the folder containing a KiCad project, you can find various types of files ranging from libraries, schematics to generated output files.
| Extension / Name | Description |
|---|---|
| .pro | This is the project file and it contains parameters and configurations. |
| .sch, .kicad_sch | Schematic file. (The new format is .kicad_sch). |
| .lib | Schematic symbols library. If the file name ends with -cache.lib this means it is the cached version of the symbols. If it ends with -rescue.lib then this is the file with missing or conflicting symbols. |
| .mod | Footprint module (obsolete) |
| .pretty | Footprint library folder |
| .kicad_mod | Footprint description file |
| .000 | Temp file |
| .bak | Schematic backup |
| .brd, .kicad_pcb | PCB layout, the new format is .kicad_pcb. If it ends with -save.kicad_pcb it is a backup file |
| .cmp | Deprecated file |
| .csv | CSV file with exported BOM |
| .dcm | Description, aliases, and keywords for symbols |
| .bck | Symbol editor backup file (.dcm) |
| .net | The netlist |
| fp-info-cache | Footprint cached info |
| fp-lib-table | List of footprint libraries (Only loaded from board or footprint editor) |
| sym-lib-table | List of symbols libraries (Only loaded from the schematic editor) |
| drc-rules | Design Rules Check constrains |
| .kicad_wks | Page layout description, custom look |
| .rpt | Report file |
| .gbr | Gerber output files |
| .drl | Gerber drill file |
| .pos | Position file used for automation inserting machines |
| .wrl | VRML 3D model |
| .step, .stp | STEP 3D model for integration with MCAD |
In the table above you can see various native KiCad files. The program also supports generation of files such as .df, .ps, .dxf, .pdf, etc. A full list of supported files you can find here.
When you want to share a KiCad project it is important to include only the necessary files and to ignore the rest. A good reference list for the files that should be ignored (these are in most cases files that are automatically generated) can be found in KiCad’s gitignore file.
Was this article helpful?
If you have any suggestions or questions, please leave a comment below.
Leave A Comment