https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/Join members as we design, prototype and fabricate printed circuit boards, for fun and for practicality!en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57141/pcbatlas-update-app-store-release-and-android-free-trial-now-available/237629Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:02:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:10c351fe-604f-4c51-a54d-2a3993c50be7stantoSo the difference to simply using KiCAD is that it's for ios and android?https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57141/pcbatlas-update-app-store-release-and-android-free-trial-now-availableThu, 30 Jul 2026 07:40:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:db750cf5-9cd5-4ff3-9c17-fc89e74a8142EthanKangHi everyone, About a month ago, I introduced PCBAtlas here while the Apple version was still in public TestFlight. I wanted to post a development update now that it has moved into a regular App Store release, and an Android version is also available as a direct free trial. PCBAtlas is still focused on the same problem: providing a local-first workspace for opening, organizing, and reviewing PCB design and manufacturing data without requiring a full EDA installation or uploading board files to a web service. It is not intended to replace KiCad, a PCB editor, or a formal CAM/DFM sign-off process. The goal is to make routine inspection, revision review, issue communication, lab work, and manufacturing handoff more convenient. The current versions support workflows around: KiCad projects, schematics, and .kicad_pcb boards DSN files IPC-2581 XML ODB++ archives and directories Recognized manufacturing-package folders 2D board inspection, object selection, search, and layer controls Project and schematic browsing where available Board-level 3D viewing Managed revisions inside the same PCB workspace Since the earlier beta, much of the work has been less visible but important: improving large-board rendering, selection on dense layouts, import progress, saved viewer state, repeated open/reopen workflows, ODB++ archive handling, 3D navigation, thumbnails, and general stability. The Android build now follows the same general review workflow as the Apple versions. It is temporarily available as a direct APK free trial. The download page also publishes the build version, SHA-256 checksum, and signer certificate fingerprint for verification. I am particularly interested in feedback on: Files that fail to import or take unexpectedly long Incorrect or missing layers, shapes, line widths, pads, or vias ODB++ and IPC-2581 compatibility problems Selection problems on dense or overlapping board geometry Whether the revision/workspace model is genuinely useful Information that is still missing during a real review or manufacturing handoff Website and downloads: https://www.astroformsoftware.com/ When reporting an issue, the platform, device model, file format, approximate board size, and the import stage where the problem occurred are especially useful. Non-sensitive test files are welcome, but screenshots and descriptions are also helpful. Disclosure: I am the developer of PCBAtlas. I will keep technical discussion and support public where practical, and I will not send unsolicited DMs or add anyone to a mailing list.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57135/emfcamp-tildagon-badge-2026-talkSun, 26 Jul 2026 16:43:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:85908ac3-85a1-4d3e-9b61-2fbc2dde6193stantoReally nice to see the intention behind a "conference badge" that's designed to be re-used and interesting to hear the considerations around espressif's antenna requirements. ffmuc.media.ccc.de/.../emf2026-7001-eng-Design_decisions_behind_the_Tildagon_-_a_technical_walkthrough_hd.mp4 Source: https://media.ccc.de/v/emf2026-70-1-design-decisions-behind-the-tildagon-a-technical-walkthrough I'm surprised they considered using the USB-C ports as the 'lanyard connector' which is both a good and bad idea, in my experience USB-C does not latch properly, and this badge is not light! You can read more about the badge here: https://tildagon.badge.emfcamp.org/tildagonespressifemfcamp 2026technical walkthroughbehind the sceneshttps://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/b/pcb-blogs/posts/creating-a-new-symbol-in-kicad-10-0-for-firebeetle-2-esp32c6Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:32:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:034ae08c-a7d0-4f56-92d3-f07a935e5d0eelectronic-wizardCreating a Custom KiCad Symbol for the DFRobot FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C6 When designing a custom carrier PCB around the DFRobot FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C6 v1.2 , I discovered that KiCad does not include a built-in symbol for this development board. Instead of using the ESP32-C6-MINI-1 module symbol (which represents the module itself rather than the complete development board), I created a custom symbol that exposes only the header pins available on the FireBeetle. Step 1: Gather the Pinout The first step was to obtain the official FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C6 V1.2 pinout from DFRobot's documentation. Since the development board already contains the ESP32-C6 module, power circuitry, USB interface, and other support components, only the header pins needed to be represented in the schematic. https://wiki.dfrobot.com/dfr1075/#tech_specs Step 2: Create a Pin Import CSV community.element14.com/.../FireBeetle_5F00_2_5F00_ESP32_2D00_C6_5F00_V1.2_5F00_KiCad_5F00_PinImport_5F00_v2.csv Rather than manually adding each pin in KiCad, I prepared a CSV file containing: Pin number Pin name Electrical type Pin orientation Pin position Text size Visibility Unit information The CSV was formatted according to KiCad's Import Pins from CSV specification. Step 3: Import the Pins In the KiCad Symbol Editor: File → New Symbol After creating an empty symbol: Tools → Import Pins from CSV The generated CSV was imported, automatically creating all header pins. Step 4: Arrange the Symbol After import, the pins were aligned and spaced evenly around the symbol body. A rectangle was added to represent the FireBeetle board, and the following symbol properties were configured: Reference: U Value: ESP32-C6 v1.2 Description Datasheet URL Step 5: Verify Electrical Types Each pin was assigned an appropriate electrical type, such as: Power Input Power Output Input Bidirectional No Connect These electrical types are important because KiCad's Electrical Rules Check (ERC) uses them to detect wiring mistakes. Step 6: Save to a Personal Library Finally, the completed symbol was saved into a custom KiCad library so it can be reused across future projects without recreating it. Benefits Creating a custom symbol provides several advantages: Represents the actual FireBeetle development board rather than the underlying ESP32 module. Simplifies schematic design by exposing only usable header pins. Enables clean carrier-board designs. Creates a reusable component for future ESP32-C6 projects.kicad10pcbesp32-c6firebeetlehttps://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235995Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:56:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:9b877e2e-34bf-4855-9bce-bee0f1c062e4beacon_dave[quote userid="521287" url="~/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235992"]i dont think i could visually inspect all 12 or more layer on the physical PC motherboard. [/quote] You could perhaps use the included Gerber files for each layer to achieve that ? Also looks like KiCad has a Gerber Viewer which can Export a Gerber to KiCad PCB. https://www.kicad.org/discover/gerber-viewer/ Note though: "....Converting to gerbers will not create a normal KiCad PCB design, it will be editable representation of the copper from the gerber..." So you could perhaps try exporting from KiCad PCB to EasyEDA.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235994Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:15:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:96aacec5-b3a8-47b5-8382-b98c5c3d41c0abtAmiti simple words. i am currently using EasyEDA for pcb designing. now i want to check the pcb layout of the SK-AM62P-LP. but the problem is i cannot import it directly in easyeda, thats why i thought if someone could convert that alg to pcbdoc file i could import and inspect it.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235993Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:03:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:8968cbcd-e5f6-4441-825b-06be8e45ff62shabazAre we supposed to guess your goal? Guessing from your response you've implied the goal is not to learn a CAD tool, but possibly to learn *something* at a level that you are unable to do from visual inspection. By importing from one format to another (and in your case across three formats it seems), you will almost certainly lose any layer attributes, distances between planes, probably even the link between the PCB and schematic (KiCad only imports the PCB as far as I can see) so you've straight away lost detail. You need a goal before a plan.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235992Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:52:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:22831410-f10f-49af-a21d-4cad482db6c2abtAmit[quote userid="123345" url="~/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235990"]you can learn a lot from visual inspection of existing PCBs; for instance, pick any PC motherboard and look at it.[/quote] i dont think i could visually inspect all 12 or more layer on the physical PC motherboard. i am using easyeda, my plan is to get the .pcbdoc file and import it in EasyEDA.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235990Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:13:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a77ad0b4-280d-40a0-92b9-f2a83d63200dshabazHi, It's unclear what problem you're trying to solve. If it's to learn a CAD tool, then importing from one format to another is one of the worst ways (CAD tools will use basic primitives and won't pick the best way to convert shapes and holes from one system to another, whereas someone designing the footprints will pick more suitable features in their CAD system). If it's to learn about PCB features and not the CAD tool itself, then you can learn a lot from visual inspection of existing PCBs; for instance, pick any PC motherboard and look at it.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235989Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:0b4a2ee4-cc83-4936-ac30-924ac8dd3c29abtAmiti am using easyeda, my plan is to get the .pcbdoc file and import it in EasyEDA. i will try KiCAD as you suggested. which PCB design software do you use?https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235981Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:51:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:179c9b70-9c12-4f4a-b7da-6d22d2e35d7dwolfgangfriedrichI am taking a guess here, as I don't understand your workflow: you want to use the free Altium viewer. There are other options: 1) Use the .brd file from the TI project zip file, Allegro has a free viewer too. 2) Install KiCAD 10, it has a very capable Allegro importer and view the file in KiCAD. It is free and does not need a license. 3) Use the Gerber/ODB++ files to analyze the board with one of a the free Gerber/ODB viewers. There are too many to list them all.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235980Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:08:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:099cba62-5f89-4d51-b4b7-63fe6183e6b8abtAmitI don't have altium licence. So i can't convert it. I tried to get 15days Free trial but i haven't got any licence from Altium.https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdoc/235979Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:29:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:563db91d-bb95-4d2c-a85d-4058e5eb9beewolfgangfriedrich.alg is not the native Allegro PCB format, it is an intermediate format used for transferring or migrating designs between Allegro and other PCB software. Altium should be the software to convert this. Normally PCB software companies don't supply exporters to support their competition. It is up to your favourite software of choice to rely on their import capabilities for other formats. Have you even tried the Altium import wizard? What problems did it have importing the .alg file?https://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/57016/help-me-convert-allegro-alg-file-to-altium-pcbdocFri, 05 Jun 2026 09:28:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:cc124cc8-8383-467d-90aa-81ec793628d7abtAmitHi everyone, I recently came across the SK-AM62P-LP Evaluation board on TI.com. TI included the design files, and I thought analyzing them would be a great way to expand my knowledge of PCB design. The project seems to have been designed using Allegro, and the provided file has an .alg extension. Since I don't have the software to open or convert this, could someone who has Altium Designer do me a huge favor? I've attached the file. If anyone is kind enough to convert it into a .PcbDoc format and attach it in a reply, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for the help!" community.element14.com/.../5873.PROC164E2_5F00_BRD.zipaltiumhelpallegrohttps://community.element14.com/products/pcbprototyping/f/forum/56971/new-member-working-on-pcb-review-workflows/235714Thu, 21 May 2026 12:29:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:0b486768-5771-4ec2-b3bd-4e7def45e895EthanKang**Video walkthrough:** https://youtu.be/rAZ_lP4zfCo