Files required for import

In order to receive a quote on CircuitHub, you will need to upload the original design files from your EDA tool, or an export that carries the same data. This allows us to provide instant quotes and automate the manufacturing process to lower lead times and cost. Currently, our platform works with Altium, KiCad and Fusion 360 files, and with ODB++ and IPC-2581 exports from any design tool, including Cadence Allegro and OrCAD.

We do not accept Gerber files on their own because they do not contain all of the design and assembly data required by our automated process. We do use your Gerber files when you upload them together with an ODB++ or IPC-2581 export, or with Fusion 360's EAGLE exports, which describe the parts. Learn more about why Gerber files are not sufficient.

Why schematic files are required

CircuitHub uses the structured data in your schematic files to reduce the risk of manufacturing errors. Schematics help us identify part numbers, determine component polarity, and recover other metadata that is lost when a design is converted to Gerber files.

This information also helps CircuitHub reconcile your BOM and automate manufacturing preparation. ODB++ and IPC-2581 exports carry the part data without a schematic, so polarity is not checked from symbols for those imports.

By default all your information is private.

We take your data security very seriously. All design data is stored in a secure manner on Amazon Web Services. Access to design content is tightly controlled on the shop floor and on a need-to-know basis.

For additional legal protection of your intellectual property please sign our NDA.

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Here are the files that are required for each EDA tool:

Altium:

• All your .SchDoc Schematic files
• One .PcbDoc Board file
• Optionally your .PrjPcb Project file, so that special strings resolve and a design variant can be chosen

KiCad:

• One .kicad_pro Project file
• All your .kicad_sch Schematic files
• One .kicad_pcb Board file
• KiCad 4 and 5 projects must first be opened and saved in KiCad 6 or later

Fusion 360:

• The CAM Processor ZIP: the Gerber X2 and drill files, ideally with the Gerber job file, and the ODB++ zip inside it, kept whole. With the ODB++ zip alone, the board layers are generated from it once you confirm; Fusion's own Gerber files match your design best
• Or, instead of the ODB++ zip, one .brd Board file and one .sch Schematic file exported as EAGLE 9.X compatible

ODB++, from any design tool:

• One ODB++ archive as a .zip, including its component data
• Recommended: the Gerber X2, drill and job files of the same design, aligned with the ODB++ data, so the board is made from your tool's own Gerber files. Without them, CircuitHub converts the ODB++ layers to Gerber X2 once you confirm

Cadence Allegro / OrCAD:

• Your IPC-2581 exported file.

Other EDA tools:

• We also support any EDA tool that can export its data to ODB++ or to the IPC-2581 format.