README.md


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Work-in-progress repository with output of altium2kicad conversion
of the Cryptech Alpha rev03 board.
The conversion was done using 'convert.sh', with the Altium Designer
project files from
https://wiki.cryptech.is/browser/hardware/cad/rev03
and the altium2kicad project from
https://github.com/thesourcerer8/altium2kicad
Current status
NOTE: The latest stable KiCAD version as of this writing is 4.0.7 - it does
NOT include necessary support for stitching vias. Install KiCAD nightly build
to work with the Cryptech Alpha PCB.
The schematics are successfully converted.
All the copper layers convert reasonably well. The challenges are mostly
around filled polygons on the various layers. A python script (fix-pcb.py)
modifies parameters to get a fairly close result.
Importing WRL files (3D models) required some hacking of the altium2kicad
tool that I haven't been able to work on upstreaming yet.
Another hack that has not been upstreamed is loading more of the source
files, IIRC to get all component footprints properly converted.
Issues
Two layers (Altium Gerber files CrypTech.G1 and CrypTech.G2) have fills
that I have not been able to reproduce. I targeted not missing any copper,
accepting that the KiCAD gerber fills reach more places, so add some copper
on those layers.
Drill hole sizes have not been checked. KiCAD seems to add ~0.85 mil more
clearance around vias. This needs to be double checked but I'm hoping that
we can just tolerate that.