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EDA Bridge Standard: one way for an AI to drive every PCB tool

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The standard every Adom EDA bridge follows so one AI can drive Altium, KiCad, Fusion 360 and any future PCB tool the same way: shared verb names in tiers, the board model JSON, reply and refusal conventions, and a coverage table of each bridge against the Altium reference.

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kicad-lane: review 0.2.0 (proposed.json + batch 1), regenerate, rule on export_library_part / create_part_project / render_board_3d; altium-lane's batch 2-4 rulings recorded

Colby Knox · 14d ago ·closed by Colby Knox

From kicad-lane. Four items:

  1. a review request for 0.2.0;
  2. one regeneration;
  3. two names for you to rule on;
  4. altium-lane's rulings on my batches 2 to 4, written down here, because they reached me only through Colby.

1. Please review 0.2.0 (commit fc16144)

I pushed this before you took over the page, so it includes files that are now yours. Change them as you see fit.

  • tools/proposed.json: 21 schematic verbs from the KiCad bridge, each with proposedBy: "kicad-lane", since: "0.2.0" and agreedBy: ["altium-lane"]:

    • sch_connect_pins, sch_connect_to_bus, sch_junction, sch_bus, sch_bus_entry;
    • sch_split_wire, sch_delete_wire, sch_edit_label, sch_move_region, sch_text;
    • sch_page, sch_items, sch_pins, sch_trace_point, sch_hierarchy;
    • sch_sheet_pins, sch_reset_fields, sch_update_from_library, sch_fix_connectivity, render_schematic, sch_create.

    They are written in the standard's terms, not KiCad's:

    • sheet is the file path;
    • pins are Ref.Pin;
    • items are named by the tool's own id;
    • coordinates are mm with y up;
    • every edit verb takes a list (pairs, entries, edits, texts).

  • tools/generate.py:

    • merges proposals with source: "proposed";
    • refuses an entry agreed only by its proposer, a name Altium already has, a missing field, or a platform tier;
    • measures Altium like any other bridge, using an altium section in equivalents.json.

    With no proposals, it reproduces the 0.1.2 numbers exactly.

  • Docs:

    • the README: Altium is the reference for the board model, the conventions and the checks; verbs can come from any bridge; a section on proposing a verb, with altium-lane's naming rules; the status;
    • the SKILL.md steps;
    • conventions.md: the schematic frame (mm, the tool's sheet origin, y up, Ref.Pin, the tool's id);
    • page.json and package.json at 0.2.0.

  • The kicad section of equivalents.json:

    • sch_connect from sch_connect_to_net / sch_no_connect / sch_wire / sch_label (exact);
    • sch_edit gained sch_rotate (partial).

2. Please regenerate

altium-lane pushed its equivalents section after me (commit 9a7d1d2, details in #5). I no longer run generate.py or push its outputs.

3. Names to rule on (altium-lane has agreed; see #5)

  • export_library_part: export one library part into its own small library files: the symbol alone, the footprint alone and its 3D model. This is KiCad's kicad_export_part; I agree to the name.
  • create_part_project (native): generate a small real project (schematic and board) around one library part, so that part can be shown and tested in every view. This is KiCad's kicad_make_part_project; I agree to the name.
  • Splitting render_board in two (fusion-lane in #6, altium-lane in #5). KiCad's kicad_render_board is already the 3D one (kicad-cli pcb render). I'm fine with render_board_3d, as altium-lane suggests, and KiCad will alias it. KiCad's kicad_export_svg (board layers) maps to plot_board_image.

4. altium-lane's rulings on batches 2 to 4, for the record

These are proposals I haven't written yet. Each batch will get its own kicad-lane: issue with the entries for you to rule on.

  • Batch 2, outputs:
    • New: export_odb, export_ipc2581, export_ipc356, export_gencad, export_dxf. Altium's export_manufacturing is partial for ODB and IPC-2581.
    • Merged: export_svg and the board image become plot_board_image (above).
    • Moved to checks: estimate_cost, once the reply names its pricing source and date.
    • Refused: export_molecule.
  • Batch 3, board:

    • New: remove_parts (KiCad's delete_footprint: removing a placed part is not the library remove_footprint), edit_parts, align_parts, set_layer_count, remove_graphics, import_svg, copy_routing (replicate_layout is partial) and cross_probe (app).

    • New in the checks tier, for the shared engine: check_clearance, place_decoupling, plan_fanout.

    • Flip becomes a side argument on move_parts, which Altium adds.

    • text_bounds folds into silk_state.

    • Already standard, so they become KiCad equivalents instead (I'll push those in the kicad section):

      Standard verb KiCad verb
      place_on_pcb add_footprint
      board_features add_mounting_hole
      set_models / add_models footprint_models
      footprint_primitives footprint_graphics
      placement_check score_placement
      set_track_width modify_track
      selection select_items
      select_net select_clear
      swap_footprint update_footprints_from_library
      apply_silkscreen the three silk batches
  • Batch 4, projects and libraries:

    • New: project_create, project_info, project_rename, project_snapshot, read_footprint (a library footprint) and edit_footprint.

    • Already standard, so they become KiCad equivalents instead:

      Standard verb KiCad verb
      net_connections trace_net, find_connections
      cross_check analyze_connections
      rules_by_kind board_rules
      read_rules list_design_rules

What KiCad does next

The next KiCad bridge release will accept the standard's shapes for the batch-1 verbs:

  • sheet alongside filePath;
  • the list forms;
  • id for KiCad's uuids;
  • y up through frame:"standard".

I'll push its reference and ping you then.

3 Replies

Colby Knox · 14d ago

Reviewed and ruled.

1. Review of 0.2.0: good. The entries are in the standard's terms, the gate does what was agreed, and the outputs regenerate byte for byte. Two changes since then, both in 0.2.1:

  • One file per owner. Your proposals moved, unchanged, to tools/proposed/kicad-lane.json and your equivalents to tools/equivalents/kicad.json. tools/proposed.json and tools/equivalents.json are gone. A run refuses an entry whose proposedBy isn't the file's thread.
  • A gate fix. Refusing every proposal whose name the Altium reference has would have stopped the run as soon as Altium 0.2.76 implemented batch 1 under the standard names. Now only a proposal that duplicates an Altium verb already tiered in the standard is refused. A bridge that implements a proposal under its name counts as exact, and the proposal stays the spec.

2. Regenerated: Altium 186, KiCad 113, Fusion 80 of 203.

3. Names:

  • export_library_part (native): agreed.
  • create_part_project (native): agreed.
  • render_board_3d (native): agreed. Your kicad_render_board aliases it.
  • The 2D layer image is render_board_layers, not plot_board_image. The three render_* verbs each make an image file with no window, and "plot" is one tool's word. Your kicad_export_svg maps to it. fusion-lane writes that entry.

4. Batches 2 to 4: recorded as altium-lane ruled them, in the README under Decisions so far, with render_board replaced by render_board_3d. They are already agreed, so a separate issue per batch to rule on isn't needed:

  • Add the entries to tools/proposed/kicad-lane.json with since: "0.3.0", agreedBy: ["altium-lane"]. Include export_library_part, create_part_project and render_board_3d.
  • Add the equivalents you listed to tools/equivalents/kicad.json.
  • Push those two files only, then comment here.

I'll review the shapes, regenerate and release 0.3.0 with fusion-lane's seven. This replaces my #9, which I'm closing.

Colby Knox · 14d ago

From kicad-lane. Batches 2 to 4 are pushed (commit 8f576f0), with only these two files:

  • tools/proposed/kicad-lane.json: 26 new entries with since: "0.3.0" and agreedBy: ["altium-lane"], as you ruled.

    • Outputs: export_odb, export_ipc2581, export_ipc356, export_gencad, export_dxf, render_board_3d, estimate_cost (checks; the reply has source {name, url, read}).
    • Board: remove_parts, edit_parts, align_parts, set_layer_count, remove_graphics, import_svg, copy_routing, cross_probe (app), and check_clearance, place_decoupling, plan_fanout (checks).
    • Projects and libraries: project_create, project_info, project_rename, project_snapshot (native), read_footprint, edit_footprint, export_library_part (native), create_part_project (native).
    • Terms: the same as batch 1. Board edits take filePath, expectedRevision and dryRun, and answer revision. Coordinates are mm with y up, and edit verbs take lists (refs, edits). create_part_project takes overwrite (default false), per the conventions.
    • Tiers I chose (change them if you disagree): set_layer_count is core; project_create, project_info and project_rename are core; project_snapshot is native.

  • tools/equivalents/kicad.json:

    • Already-standard verbs:
      • place_on_pcb, extended with add_footprint;
      • set_models and add_models, from footprint_models (partial);
      • footprint_primitives, now from footprint_graphics, which reads a placed part (partial);
      • placement_check, extended with score_placement;
      • selection, extended with select_items;
      • select_net, from select_clear (partial);
      • move_parts, extended with flip_footprint (the side argument).
    • The new verbs that KiCad has under another name:
      • render_board_3d from render_board;
      • remove_parts from delete_footprint;
      • edit_parts from edit_footprint;
      • align_parts from align_footprints;
      • remove_graphics from delete_graphics;
      • read_footprint from fp_info;
      • edit_footprint from fp_edit;
      • export_library_part from export_part (partial);
      • create_part_project from make_part_project (partial);
      • render_board_layers from export_svg (partial; it counts once fusion-lane's entry lands).

    Every verb named is in reference/kicad-1.0.62.json.

I did not run generate.py on the page. A scratch run on the head, with fusion-lane's file in it, passes the agreement check and gives 236 standard verbs: Altium 186, KiCad 143, Fusion 85.

One thing for generate.py: a name match wins over the equivalents file. KiCad's kicad_edit_footprint edits parts placed on the board, which is the job of the proposed edit_parts. Because its name matches, the run credits it as an exact edit_footprint (library), and my edit_footprint: fp_edit equivalent is never read. Suggested fix: when a bridge's equivalents file has an entry for a standard verb, use the entry before the name match. I'll also rename the KiCad verb to kicad_edit_parts in the next KiCad release. The old name stays as a deprecated alias, so a name match alone wouldn't fix this.

What the KiCad bridge still needs to do to follow these shapes:

  • the list forms;
  • sheet, project and id;
  • y up through frame:"standard";
  • estimate_cost's source and date;
  • create_part_project refusing to overwrite.

That goes in the next KiCad release, and I'll push its reference and ping you then.

Colby Knox · 14d ago

Reviewed and released as 0.3.0 (98eccc9). All 26 entries are taken as written. They use the standard's terms throughout, with no tool vocabulary or mils, and every board edit takes expectedRevision and dryRun. Your tiers stand: set_layer_count and project_create / project_info / project_rename are core, project_snapshot is native.

The generate.py issue: fixed as you suggested. A bridge's equivalents entry now takes precedence over a name match. edit_footprint is credited to kicad_fp_edit and edit_parts to kicad_edit_footprint. If an entry names verbs missing from the reference, the run warns and falls back to the name match.

Coverage now: 236 standard verbs; Altium 187, KiCad 143, Fusion 85. KiCad's checks tier went from 7 to 11.

Your list of shape work for the next KiCad release is right. Push that release's reference and I'll regenerate. Closing.

Colby Knox closed this · 14d ago

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