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User Guide

This manual provides detailed instructions for using all features of EasyKiConverter.

Table of Contents

Installation

System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 10/11 (recommended), macOS 10.15+, or Linux
  • Memory: 4GB RAM minimum, 8GB recommended
  • Disk Space: 100MB for application, additional space for converted files
  • Network: Internet connection for downloading component data and 3D models

Installation Steps

Windows

  1. Download the latest version from GitHub Releases
  2. Extract the downloaded archive
  3. Double-click EasyKiConverter.exe to run the application

macOS

  1. Download the latest version from GitHub Releases
  2. Extract the downloaded archive
  3. Double-click EasyKiConverter.app to run the application

Linux

  1. Download the latest version from GitHub Releases
  2. Extract the downloaded archive
  3. Run ./EasyKiConverter to launch the application

Interface Overview

Main Window

The main window contains the following main areas:

  1. Component Input Area
  2. Component ID input field
  3. Add button
  4. Smart extraction button

  5. BOM import button

  6. Component List Area

  7. Displays added components
  8. Component ID and name
  9. Status indicator

  10. Delete button

  11. Export Settings Area

  12. Export directory selection
  13. Export type selection (symbol, footprint, 3D model)
  14. Overwrite files option

  15. Debug export option

  16. Progress Display Area

  17. Progress bar
  18. Status messages

  19. Success/failure count

  20. Results Display Area

  21. Conversion results list
  22. Detailed information view
  23. File location links

Theme Switching

Click the theme toggle button in the top right corner to switch between dark and light modes.

Basic Operations

Adding Components

Method 1: Manual Input

  1. Enter the LCSC component ID in the input field (e.g., C123456)
  2. Click the "Add" button or press Enter
  3. The component will be added to the list

Method 2: Smart Extraction

  1. Copy component IDs from any source (e.g., BOM, website)
  2. Click the "Smart Extraction" button
  3. The application will automatically extract valid component IDs
  4. Click "Add" to add all extracted components

Method 3: BOM Import

  1. Click the "BOM Import" button
  2. Select your BOM file (CSV or Excel format)
  3. The application will parse and import all components

Configuring Export Settings

  1. Click the "Browse" button to select the export directory
  2. Check the types to export:
  3. Symbols (.kicad_sym)
  4. Footprints (.kicad_mod)
  5. 3D Models (WRL, STEP, OBJ)
  6. Configure other options:
  7. Overwrite existing files
  8. Enable debug export (developers only)
  9. Click "Save" to save settings

Starting Conversion

  1. Ensure all components are added to the list
  2. Configure export settings
  3. Click the "Start Conversion" button
  4. Wait for conversion to complete
  5. Monitor progress in the progress area

Viewing Results

After conversion completes:

  1. View conversion status for each component in the results list
  2. Click on a component item to view detailed information
  3. Click on file location links to open the export directory
  4. Use converted files in KiCad

Advanced Features

Layer Mapping

EasyKiConverter automatically maps EasyEDA layers to KiCad layers. Supported layers include:

  • Signal layers (Top, Bottom, Inner1-32)
  • Silkscreen layers (Top, Bottom)
  • Solder mask layers (Top, Bottom)
  • Paste layers (Top, Bottom)
  • Mechanical layers
  • User layers
  • Edge cuts
  • Fabrication layers

Polygon Pads

Support for correct export of custom-shaped pads:

  • Automatic primitives block generation
  • Coordinate transformation
  • Size optimization
  • KiCad compatibility

Elliptical Arc Calculation

Precise arc calculation supporting complex geometric shapes:

  • Complete algorithm implementation
  • SVG arc parameter parsing
  • Center and angle calculation
  • KiCad format output

Text Layer Processing

Support for type "N" special processing and mirrored text processing:

  • Type "N" text handling
  • Mirrored text support
  • Layer mapping
  • Font effects

Batch Conversion

Support for simultaneous conversion of multiple components:

  • Parallel data collection
  • Serial data export
  • Progress tracking
  • Error isolation

Smart Extraction

Intelligent extraction of component IDs from clipboard text:

  • Automatic component ID format recognition
  • Batch extraction
  • Format validation
  • User-friendly interface

Configuration Options

Theme Settings

  1. Click the theme toggle button
  2. Select theme:
  3. Light mode
  4. Dark mode
  5. System default

Export Settings

  1. Click the "Settings" button
  2. Configure default export options:
  3. Default export directory
  4. Default export types
  5. Overwrite behavior
  6. Click "Save" to apply settings

Debug Settings

For developers only:

  1. Enable debug export in settings
  2. Original and exported data will be saved
  3. Check debug directory for detailed logs

Using Converted Components in KiCad

Importing Symbol Library

  1. Open KiCad
  2. Go to "Preferences" -> "Manage Symbol Libraries"
  3. Click "Add Existing Library"
  4. Navigate to the export directory
  5. Select the .kicad_sym file
  6. Click "OK"

Importing Footprint Library

  1. Open KiCad
  2. Go to "Preferences" -> "Manage Footprint Libraries"
  3. Click "Add Existing Library"
  4. Navigate to the export directory
  5. Select the .pretty folder
  6. Click "OK"

Using Components

  1. In KiCad Schematic Editor, press "A" to add a component
  2. Search for your component by name
  3. Place the component in your schematic
  4. In PCB Editor, the footprint will be automatically associated

Viewing 3D Models

  1. In KiCad PCB Editor
  2. Press "Alt + 3" to view 3D models
  3. Rotate and pan to view the model
  4. Verify model position and orientation

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Enter - Add component from input field
  • Ctrl+V - Paste and extract component IDs
  • Ctrl+A - Select all components
  • Delete - Remove selected components
  • F5 - Refresh component list
  • Ctrl+E - Open export settings
  • Ctrl+C - Start conversion

Best Practices

Component Input

  • Use smart extraction to quickly add multiple components
  • Import BOM files for batch conversion
  • Keep a list of commonly used component IDs

Export Organization

  • Create separate folders for different projects
  • Use descriptive folder names
  • Keep symbol and footprint libraries together

Performance Optimization

  • Convert multiple components at once for better performance
  • Use parallel conversion for large batches
  • Close other applications to free up resources

Quality Control

  • Verify converted components before using in production
  • Keep backups of your component libraries
  • Use version control for library files

Troubleshooting

Issue: Component Not Found

Solution: - Verify the component ID is correct - Check if the component exists in the LCSC database - Ensure you have an internet connection

Issue: Conversion Failed

Solution: - Check the error message in the results list - Verify component data is available - Try converting the component again

Issue: 3D Model Not Downloaded

Solution: - Ensure "3D Models" is enabled in export settings - Check if the component has a 3D model - Verify your internet connection

Issue: Files Not Found in KiCad

Solution: - Verify the library path in KiCad settings - Check if files are in the correct directory - Refresh KiCad's library list

Issue: Application Crashes

Solution: - Check system requirements - Update to the latest version - View error logs - Report the issue on GitHub

Additional Resources

Support

If you need help:

  1. Check this documentation
  2. Search existing GitHub Issues
  3. Create a new issue with detailed information

License

EasyKiConverter is licensed under GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0).

Acknowledgments

This project references the design and algorithms from uPesy/easyeda2kicad.py. Thank you to the original author for providing an excellent foundation framework and core conversion algorithms.