Dashboard

KiCad import guide

Check supported KiCad versions, required files, and how to prepare your schematic and board before importing a project.

CircuitHub currently supports KiCad versions 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Projects from KiCad 4 and 5 must be converted to a newer version before you upload them.

We support the latest stable version of KiCad (currently version 10). KiCad 6 to 9 are supported on a best-effort basis and may be upgraded to the latest stable version during processing. KiCad generally provides good backward compatibility with recent releases.

Refill copper zones before upload

Fill all zones and save the board so the copper you see is the copper we build.

Specifying part numbers

Which symbol field names CircuitHub reads manufacturer part numbers from.

KiCad nightly builds

Check support before uploading a design created with a nightly build.

Missing layers in the preview

Understand why the KiCad layer preview might not show every layer.

Before you upload

CircuitHub reads your board file and your schematic files separately, so both must be saved and up to date. Two steps in KiCad are easy to forget:

1. Synchronize the board with the schematic

Whenever you change anything in the schematic editor that affects components (values, part numbers, footprints, descriptions, added or removed symbols), push the change into the board before uploading:

  1. In the PCB editor choose Tools → Update PCB from Schematic… (F8) and apply the update.
  2. Save the board file.

Component values are always taken from the board file. If you edit a Value field in the schematic and upload without updating the board, CircuitHub imports the old value. Checking the schematic file on its own will not reveal this, because it is the board file that is out of date.

2. Refill copper zones

After any change in the board editor, choose Edit → Fill All Zones (B) and save the board before uploading. CircuitHub generates the fabrication data from the board file you upload, so it must already contain current copper fills; stale or missing fills may be manufactured as they are. See KiCad fill zones.

Where your BOM data comes from

To build your bill of materials CircuitHub combines data from both files, matched by reference designator:

BOM fieldSource
ValueAlways the board file (the footprint's Value field).
DescriptionThe schematic (the symbol's Description field). If it is empty there, the board file's Description field is used instead.
Manufacturer / distributor part numbersCustom symbol fields whose names we recognize, such as ManufacturerPartNumber or MPN. See Specifying part numbers in EDA tools.
FootprintThe board file.

Part numbers are never read from the Description field. Put them in a dedicated field instead.

Required files

  • One project file, where the name ends in .kicad_pro.
  • One board file, where the name ends in .kicad_pcb.
  • One or more schematic files, where the names end in .kicad_sch.

Optional BOM

You can also upload a BOM in either .csv or .tsv that conforms to the supported format.

Single design

Only upload files related to a single design at a time. Supplying files from different designs would lead to ambiguities during import and is therefore not allowed.

Multiple schematics

When uploading multiple schematic files only one of the files may be a root schematic file and all the others must be sub-schematic files referenced by the root schematic, see the KiCad article about hierarchical schematics.

KiCad 4 and 5 projects

CircuitHub does not import KiCad 4 and 5 projects, whose schematic files end in .sch. If you upload one, the upload page lists the .sch files as Not recognised and asks you to add schematic files. To convert the project:

  1. Open the project in KiCad 6 or later. Keep the project's -cache.lib file next to the schematic; KiCad uses it to load your symbols.
  2. Open the schematic and save it. KiCad converts it to the .kicad_sch format.
  3. Open the board, choose Edit → Fill All Zones (B) and save it, so it is written in the current format with current copper fills.
  4. Upload the new .kicad_pro and .kicad_pcb files and all of the converted .kicad_sch files.