CopperForge

A Modern Hybrid PCB Design Platform

KiForge is a modern EDA tool designed to optimize every phase of PCB development, from initial design through manufacturing. Built with Rust and egui, it delivers fast, memory-safe operations with real-time rendering performance.

Key capabilities include:

• PCB design rule checking and optimization
• Real-time bill of materials generation
• Component placement analysis
• CAM operations for manufacturing preparation

KiForge serves as a companion tool to KiCad, running alongside KiCad PCB to provide enhanced insights during design and streamline manufacturing preparation.

The application leverages proven Rust ecosystem libraries including gerber_types, gerber_parser, and gerber_viewer from the MakerPnP project, plus the egui_mobius stack with egui_lens for reactive state management and event logging.

What sets KiForge apart is its focus on algorithmic PCB manufacturing optimization within a memory-safe, multi-threaded environment.

Shown below is the loading of a PCB design with over 400+ components, where the KiCad PCB design is loaded, the gerbers are generated within the tool, and the display is updated.

Key Features

• Gerber Import & Visualization: Import and view multi-layer Gerber files with support for all standard PCB layers
• Design Rule Checking (DRC) (Improvements in Progress): Run comprehensive manufacturing checks to catch issues before production
• Panelization Support (Work in Progress): Optimize PCB panel layouts to maximize material usage and reduce manufacturing costs
• Component Data Import (Work in Progress): Import and visualize PCB part data for assembly preparation

Current Capabilities

• Multi-layer Gerber viewing with support for:
  • Copper layers (Top/Bottom)
  • Silkscreen layers
  • Solder mask layers
  • Solder paste layers
  • Board outline
  • Drill files
• Interactive layer controls with visibility toggles
• Grid overlay for measurement and alignment
• Zoom and pan controls for detailed inspection

Roadmap

Completed ✅

• Direct KiCad PCB file import
• Multi-layer Gerber visualization
• Interactive layer controls
• Basic DRC functionality

In Development 🚧

• Real-time BOM display
• Enhanced DRC with customizable rule sets
• Manufacturing optimization algorithms

Planned 📋

• Manufacturing cost estimation
• Component library validation
• Advanced panelization tools
• Assembly preparation features
• Integration with external CAM tools

Requirements

• Rust: 1.65.0 or higher (see rustup.rs for installation)
• KiCad: 9.0+ (for PCB file import functionality)
• Operating System: Linux, macOS, or Windows

Getting Started

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://www.github.com/saturn77/KiForge.git
   cd KiForge
   

2. Build and run:

   cargo run --release
   

Basic Usage

1. Load a PCB file: Use File → Open to load a KiCad .kicad_pcb file
2. View layers: Toggle layer visibility using the layer controls panel
3. Run DRC: Access Design Rule Check from the DRC panel
4. Adjust settings: Configure grid, orientation, and view options

Supported File Formats

• KiCad PCB files (.kicad_pcb)
• Gerber files (.gbr, .ger)
• Excellon drill files (.drl)
• Pick and place files (.csv)

License

See LICENSE file for details.