Chapter 1. Introduction - 1.2. KiCad files and folders - 《KiCad v4.0 Documentation》

1.2. KiCad files and folders

1.2. KiCad files and folders

KiCad creates and uses files with the following specific file extensions (and folders) for schematic and board editing.

Project manager file:

*.pro

Small file containing a few parameters for the current project, including the component library list.

Schematic editor files:

.sch	Schematic files, which do not contain the components themselves.
.lib	Schematic component library files, containing the component descriptions: graphic shape, pins, fields.
.dcm	Schematic component library documentation, containing some component descriptions: comments, keywords, reference to data sheets.
_cache.lib	Schematic component library cache file, containing a copy of the components used in the schematic project.

Board editor files and folders:

.kicad_pcb	Board file containing all info but the page layout.
.pretty	Footprint library folders. The folder itself is the library.
.kicad_mod	Footprint files, containing one footprint description each.
.brd	Board file in the legacy format. Can be read, but not written by the board editor.
*.mod	Footprint library in the legacy format. Can be read by the footprint or the board editor, but not written.
fp-lib-table	Footprint library list (footprint libraries table): list of footprint libraries (various formats) which are loaded by the board or the footprint editor or CvPcb.

Common files:

.kicad_wks	The page layout description files, for people who want a worksheet with a custom look.
.net	Netlist file created by the schematic, and read by the board editor. This file is associated to the .cmp file, for users who prefer a separate file for the component/footprint association.

Special file:

*.cmp

Stores the association between components used in the schematic and their footprints.

It can be created by Pcbnew, and imported by Eeschema.

The purpose is a back import from Pcbnew to Eeschema, for users who change footprints inside Pcbnew (for instance using Exchange Footprints command) and want to import these changes in schematic.

Other files:

They are generated by KiCad for fabrication or documentation.

.gbr	Gerber files, for fabrication
.drl	Drill files (Excellon format), for fabrication.
.pos	Position files (ascii format), for automatic insertion machines.
.rpt	Report files (ascii format), for documentation.
.ps	Plot files (postscript), for documentation.
.pdf	Plot files (pdf format), for documentation.
.svg	Plot files (svg format), for documentation.
.dxf	Plot files (dxf format), for documentation.
*.plt	Plot files (HPGL format), for documentation.