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Projects and Files

WireFrame uses a project-oriented structure to keep schematics, PCBs and libraries organized. This page explains the project file format, document types, and how they link together.

Project Files (.prjxml)

A project file (*.prjxml) is an XML document that stores:

Content Description
Schematic list Paths to all .schxml files in the project
PCB list Paths to all .pcbxml files in the project
Library folder Default folder for symbol and footprint libraries
Library references Specific library files used by the project

Creating a project

  1. File → New Project…
  2. Choose a location and .prjxml filename.
  3. WireFrame:
    • Creates the project file.
    • Sets the project root directory (parent folder of the .prjxml).
    • Creates a default library folder (e.g., lib/) if needed.

Opening a project

  1. File → Open Project…
  2. Select a .prjxml file.
  3. The Project Structure panel parses the XML and displays:
    • <Schematics> → schematic file entries.
    • <PCBs> → PCB file entries.
    • <Libraries> → symbol and footprint library references.

Project Tree Expanded

Adding files to a project

Right-click the project node or a section (Schematics / PCBs) in the Project Structure panel:

  • Add Existing… — browse for an existing .schxml or .pcbxml to link into the project.
  • Add New… — create a new schematic or PCB and automatically register it in the project.

Schematics (.schxml)

Each schematic document includes:

Content Description
Components Placed symbols with IDs, positions, rotations, and attributes
Wires Wire vertices, pin attachments, and net names
Graphics Lines, rectangles, circles, arcs, polygons, text
Page settings Paper size, title block (title, company, revision, date, author)

Key behaviors

  • The schematic netlist is rebuilt from wires and labels using the netlist engine.
  • Components are tied to symbol definitions from loaded libraries (via the library system).
  • Cross-document mapping: schematic component IDs can be linked to PCB footprints by matching IDs.

Saving

  • File → Save (Ctrl+S) — updates the .schxml via the save function.
  • File → Save As… (Ctrl+Shift+S) — writes to a new file and updates the document path.

PCBs (.pcbxml)

Each PCB document records:

Content Description
Footprints Placed packages with positions, rotations, pads, and layers
Traces & vias Routed connections with net names, widths, and layer assignments
Holes Mechanical and plated holes with diameters
Graphics Board outline, dimensions, silkscreen text and shapes
Netlist Net definitions and pin-to-net assignments
Zones Copper zone outlines and computed fill islands
Design rules Net classes, clearances, trace widths, via/drill sizes

Saving

  • File → Save — calls the save function with all board data (footprints, traces, layers, netlist, drawings, zones, design settings).
  • File → Save As… — writes to a new file path.

Linking Schematics and PCBs

The typical workflow for linking a schematic to a PCB:

┌─────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐
│  Schematic   │────▶│  Convert to  │────▶│    PCB      │
│  (design)    │     │  PCB action  │     │  (layout)   │
└─────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └─────────────┘
  1. Design the schematic and assign footprints to all components (via symbol properties).
  2. Use Project → Convert to PCB (or equivalent) to:
    • Create a new PCB document.
    • Populate footprints matching schematic component IDs.
    • Transfer the netlist (net names and pin connections) to the PCB.
  3. Later updates: changes in the schematic can be re-applied to the PCB by updating netlists. Modified or added nets are marked dirty and the ratsnest is recomputed.

Footprint assignment required

Components without a Footprint property in the schematic will be skipped during conversion. Always verify that every component has a footprint assigned before converting.

Library Management

Projects can reference external library files for both symbols and footprints:

Symbol libraries

  • Loaded from KiCad .kicad_sym files.
  • Registered in the project's <Libraries> section.
  • Symbols are available in the Library panel when a schematic is active.

Footprint libraries

  • Loaded from KiCad .kicad_mod files.
  • Also registered in the project's <Libraries> section.
  • Footprints are available when a PCB is active.

Managing library references

Action How
Add a library Load it via the Library panel, then it's auto-registered
Remove a library Right-click in Library panel → Unload
View library path Check the .prjxml file's <Libraries> section

Shared libraries

You can share a single set of library files across multiple projects by keeping them in a common folder and referencing the same path from each project.

Importing Projects from Other EDA Tools

Importing a KiCad project

WireFrame can import existing KiCad projects to bring in your schematics, PCB layouts, and library references:

  1. Go to File → Import → KiCad Project…
  2. Select the KiCad project file (.kicad_pro or .pro).
  3. WireFrame reads the project structure and converts:
KiCad file Converted to
.kicad_pro / .pro .prjxml (WireFrame project)
.kicad_sch .schxml (WireFrame schematic)
.kicad_pcb .pcbxml (WireFrame PCB)
.kicad_sym Loaded as symbol library (no conversion needed)
.kicad_mod Loaded as footprint library (no conversion needed)
  1. After import, the project appears in the Project Structure panel with all linked files.

Library compatibility

KiCad symbol (.kicad_sym) and footprint (.kicad_mod) libraries are natively supported — no conversion is needed. They are loaded directly by WireFrame.

Importing an Altium project

WireFrame supports importing Altium Designer projects and libraries:

  1. Go to File → Import → Altium Project…
  2. Select the Altium project file (.PrjPcb).
  3. WireFrame converts the project structure:
Altium file Converted to
.PrjPcb .prjxml (WireFrame project)
.SchDoc .schxml (WireFrame schematic)
.PcbDoc .pcbxml (WireFrame PCB)
.SchLib / .IntLib Symbol library (converted on import)
.PcbLib Footprint library (converted on import)
  1. The imported project opens in the Project Structure panel.

Altium import limitations

  • Complex Altium features (room definitions, embedded components, advanced design rules) may not be fully converted.
  • Always review the imported design and run DRC after import.
  • Altium 3D model references may need to be re-linked if the model paths differ.

Importing an Eagle project

WireFrame can also import Eagle (Autodesk) designs:

  1. Go to File → Import → Eagle Project…
  2. Select the Eagle schematic (.sch) or board (.brd) file.
  3. WireFrame converts components, nets, traces, and board geometry.
Eagle file Converted to
.sch .schxml (WireFrame schematic)
.brd .pcbxml (WireFrame PCB)
.lbr Symbol + footprint libraries (converted on import)

Eagle version support

Eagle XML format (version 6+) is supported. Binary formats from older Eagle versions are not supported.

Session Restoration

The application stores session data (open projects and documents) in a user config file. On startup, WireFrame automatically:

  1. Restores previously open projects (.prjxml).
  2. Restores previously open documents (.schxml / .pcbxml).
  3. Re-populates the Project Structure panel and Editor tabs.

Config details

Session data is stored in user_config.json. See Config & Session for the file location and format.

See Also