Cross-Platform Library Conversion: Altium, PADs, KiCad, ECAD Compatibility

Sunnysky wrote:

Is it possible to create a program to convert one library file to all the other formats without having to export to each.
These are the library formats required Altium, PADs , Kicad , and ECAD

Creating a universal library converter that can automatically translate between all of these different formats (Altium, PADS, KiCad, and ECAD) is theoretically possible, but quite complex. Each of these platforms has its own proprietary format with unique features and ways of representing schematic symbols, footprints, and possibly 3D models.

To clarify further, let's break down the process:

1. Understanding Formats: To start, you would need to have a deep understanding of each of the file formats used by these tools. This includes the data structure, the information stored, and any peculiarities of the formats.

2. Extraction: Next, you would have to write code to parse and extract information from the source library file. This means reading and interpreting the information correctly, whether the source is in Altium, PADS, KiCad, or ECAD format.

3. Conversion Logic: You then need a middle layer that translates the extracted data into a neutral format. This neutral format should be versatile enough to represent all the data required by the various target formats.

4. Generation: Finally, you would need to generate the target library files from the neutral format. This involves creating valid files that can be read by the respective software.

5. Testing: Rigorous testing is essential to ensure that the converted libraries work as expected in each software package. This includes not just the correct representation of schematic symbols and footprints but also the preservation of any parametric data or metadata associated with each component.

Additionally, here are some considerations and challenges you might face:

- Licensing & Proprietary Formats: The proprietary nature of some formats might present legal challenges, or there may be technical challenges in reverse-engineering them.
- Feature Parity: Not all EDA tools have the same features, which can make a 1:1 conversion difficult or impossible in some cases.
- Updates: EDA tools are updated regularly, and each update might bring changes to their file formats, requiring continual maintenance of your converter program.
- User Interface: Creating a user-friendly interface that can handle different options and configurations for conversion.

Do you have experience with these formats? Are you considering writing this program yourself, or are you looking for an existing solution? If you're writing it yourself, what languages and libraries are you considering for this task?