# kicadStepUpMod

**Repository Path**: forwardinglei/kicadStepUpMod

## Basic Information

- **Project Name**: kicadStepUpMod
- **Description**: No description available
- **Primary Language**: Python
- **License**: Not specified
- **Default Branch**: master
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No

## Statistics

- **Stars**: 0
- **Forks**: 0
- **Created**: 2026-01-08
- **Last Updated**: 2026-01-08

## Categories & Tags

**Categories**: Uncategorized

**Tags**: None

## README

kicadStepUp-WB
==============

![icon](Resources/icons/kicad-StepUp-tools-WB.svg)

[![made-with-python](images/made-with-python.svg)](https://www.python.org/)

[![FreeCAD Addokn manager status](images/FreeCAD-addon-manager-available.svg)](https://www.freecad.org)

KiCad **StepUp tools** are a FreeCAD Macro and a FreeCAD WorkBench to help in **Mechanical Collaboration** between **KiCad EDA** and **FreeCAD** or a **Mechanical CAD**.

**KiCad StepUp features:** 

- **load kicad board and parts in FreeCAD and export it to STEP** (or IGES) for a full ECAD MCAD collaboration
- **load kicad_mod footprint in FreeCAD to easy and precisely align the mechanical model to kicad footprint**
- **convert the STEP 3D model of parts, board, enclosure to VRML with Materials properties** for the best use in kicad
- **check interference and collisions** for enclosure and footprint design 
- **design a new pcb Edge with FreeCAD Sketcher and PUSH it to an existing kicad_pcb Board** 
- **PULL a pcb Edge from a kicad_pcb Board**, edit it in FC Sketcher and PUSH it back to kicad
- **design a new footprint in FreeCAD to get the power of Sketch in footprints**
- **generate Blender compatible VRML files**
- **translation infrastructure enabled**

Please see [KiCad Info forum](https://forum.kicad.info/search?q=stepup) or [FreeCAD forum](https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=14276) to discuss or report issues regarding this Addon.

![CrazyFlie](images/crazyflie.png)


Installing
----------

Download and install your corresponding version of FreeCAD from [Download page](https://www.freecad.org/downloads) and either install

- automatically using the [FreeCAD Add-on Manager](https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-addons) (bundled in to FreeCAD under Tools Menu)
  **(*) There is a known issue in FreeCAD Addons Manager on Linux**
  
- manually by copying the kicadStepUpMod folder to the Mod sub-directory of the FreeCAD application

- manually by following the standard installation [FreeCAD Installing more workbenches](https://wiki.freecad.org/Installing_more_workbenches)

StepUp Cheat sheet
------------------

[kicad StepUp Cheat sheet](https://github.com/easyw/kicadStepUpMod/raw/master/demo/kicadStepUp-cheat-sheet.pdf)
[![kicad StepUp Cheat sheet](demo/gifs/pdf-download.png)](https://github.com/easyw/kicadStepUpMod/raw/master/demo/kicadStepUp-cheat-sheet.pdf)

StepUp Videos
------------------

[ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Complex Edge Sketch to PCB](https://youtu.be/eMdX3R9ni7g?t=1050)
[![ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Complex Edge Sketch to PCB](demo/gifs/StepUp-board-shaping.gif)](https://youtu.be/eMdX3R9ni7g?t=1050)

[ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Push&Pull Edge to PCB](https://youtu.be/n44iBpu_YjY)
[![ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Push&Pull Edge to PCB](demo/gifs/StepUp-getting-to-blinky.gif)](https://youtu.be/n44iBpu_YjY)

[ECAD MCAD Synchronization: Push & Pull model placement in 3D environment](https://youtu.be/6R6UEUScjgA)
[![ECAD MCAD Synchronization: Push & Pull model placement in 3D environment](demo/gifs/StepUp-ECAD-MCAD-sync.gif)](https://youtu.be/6R6UEUScjgA)

[ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Footprint in FreeCAD](https://youtu.be/eMdX3R9ni7g?t=839)
[![ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Footprint in FreeCAD](demo/gifs/StepUp-3d-model-from-footprint.gif)](https://youtu.be/eMdX3R9ni7g?t=839)

[ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: FreeCAD + KiCAD complete walkthrough design](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov3PpaP9uHI)
[![ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: FreeCAD + KiCAD complete walkthrough design](demo/gifs/FreeCAD+KiCAD-complete-walkthrough-design.gif)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov3PpaP9uHI)

[ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Designing a Complex PCB Edge from a 3D model Enclosure](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJCeprBhWLs)
[![ECAD-MCAD-collaboration: Designing a Complex PCB Edge from a 3D model Enclosure](demo/gifs/Designing-a-Complex-PCB-Edge-from-a-3D-model-Enclosure.gif)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJCeprBhWLs)

### Requirements

- **FreeCAD** **0.19, 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 1.0**

- **KiCAD** **5.1**, **6.x**, **7.x**, **8.x**, **9.x** (not embedding 3d Models ATM)

- **KiCAD *9.99 nigthly* (partially supported)**

### Known issues

- on Linux *FreeCAD Snap and Flatpak* you may need to use 'mount bind' to have access to KiCad 3D models path

- on Linux *FreeCAD Addons* may fail to install (FC >= 1.0.1)

### License

[GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.en.html)