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Footprint Libraries (PCB)

Footprint libraries define physical packages for PCB components. This page covers loading, footprint structure, the built-in footprint generator, and 3D model alignment.

Loading Footprint Libraries

From the Library panel when a PCB document is active:

  1. Click Load Footprints…
  2. Select one or more KiCad .kicad_mod library files.
  3. WireFrame parses footprints immediately.
  4. On completion, results are merged into the footprint library map.
  5. Footprint names appear in the Library panel list and can be filtered.

Footprint Data

Each footprint data contains:

Data Description
Name Footprint identifier (e.g., "SOT-23", "R_0603_1608Metric")
Library name Source library filename
Description Human-readable description and tags
Pads See pad properties table below
Graphics Lines, circles, arcs, polygons, reference/value text
3D model File path (STEP/OBJ) + offset, scale, rotation

Pad properties

Property Description Example
Number Pad number/name 1, 2, A1
Position X, Y in mm (converted to mils internally) (0.0, 0.75)
Size Pad width × height 1.0 × 0.6 mm
Shape Circle, Rect, Oval, RoundRect, Trapezoid, Custom rect
Drill Hole diameter and shape (for through-hole) 0.8 mm circular
Layers Copper and mask layers the pad belongs to F.Cu, F.Mask, F.Paste
Net name Assigned net (when imported with netlist) GND

These are converted into placed footprint instances when added to the PCB.

Footprint Generator (Footprint Wizard)

The footprint wizard is a built-in footprint generator for common package types. Open it from Tools → Footprint Wizard.

Supported layouts

Layout Description Example
Single row Pads in one line SIP headers
Dual row Two parallel rows DIP, SOIC, SOT-23
Grid Rectangular array BGA, LGA
Quad Pads on all four sides QFP, QFN

Configurable settings (footprint settings)

Setting Description
Pin count Total number of pads
Layout type Single, dual, grid, quad
Pad size Width × height
Hole size Drill diameter (for through-hole)
Horizontal pitch Spacing between pads horizontally
Vertical pitch Spacing between pads/rows vertically
Body margin Clearance for the courtyard outline

Workflow

  1. Configure pins, pitch, and pad size in the wizard controls.
  2. The preview canvas shows the generated footprint in real time:
    • Pads on a green background.
    • Grid and axis lines.
    • Pin numbers and body outline.
  3. Click Export to save as a KiCad .kicad_mod file via the KiCad export function.
  4. Load the exported file into your footprint library.

Footprint Wizard

3D Model Alignment

3D model parameters for footprints are edited via the Model Alignment Dialog:

  1. Select a footprint on the PCB.
  2. Open the model alignment dialog from PCB Properties or context menu → Edit 3D Model.
  3. The dialog shows:
Control Description
Model file path Path to the STEP/OBJ model file
3D preview Live rendering via the 3D renderer
Offset (X, Y, Z) Position adjustment
Scale (X, Y, Z) Size adjustment
Rotation (X, Y, Z) Orientation adjustment
  1. Adjust values and see the model update in the preview.
  2. Save changes — WireFrame writes updated parameters back to the .kicad_mod file.

Importing Footprint Libraries from Other EDA Tools

Importing Altium footprint libraries

WireFrame can convert Altium PCB libraries:

  1. Go to File → Import → Altium Library…
  2. Select an Altium footprint library file (.PcbLib).
  3. WireFrame converts the footprints (pads, graphics, 3D models references) and adds them to your library.
Altium format Conversion details
.PcbLib Pads, copper graphics, silkscreen, courtyard, 3D model paths
.IntLib Both symbols and footprints extracted

3D model paths

Altium 3D model references (.step, .stp) are imported but the file paths may need to be updated to match your local model directory. Use the Model Alignment Dialog to verify and adjust.

Importing Eagle footprint libraries

Eagle library files (.lbr) contain footprints alongside symbols:

  1. Go to File → Import → Eagle Library…
  2. Select an Eagle .lbr file.
  3. WireFrame extracts footprints with pads, graphics, and drill information.
  4. Footprints appear in the Library panel when a PCB is active.

Converting between formats

You can also export footprints from WireFrame to KiCad format:

  1. Use the Footprint Wizard to create a footprint.
  2. Click Export to save as a .kicad_mod file.
  3. This file can be shared with KiCad users or imported into other KiCad-compatible tools.

See Also