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.
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