Skill

kicad-svg-fix

Fixes SVG files for KiCad PCB import: splits compound paths with holes into separate paths, scales Illustrator 72 DPI exports to KiCad 96 DPI, inlines CSS styles.

Python

Bash

automation

cli-tools

npx claudepluginhub takazudo/claude-resources

Tool Access

This skill is limited to using the following tools:

Bash(python3 *)ReadWriteGlob

Preview

Fix SVG files exported from Illustrator (or similar) for clean KiCad PCB import.

Supporting Assets

scripts/fix-svg-for-kicad.py

SKILL.md

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Last CommitMar 31, 2026

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KiCad SVG Fix

Fix SVG files exported from Illustrator (or similar) for clean KiCad PCB import.

Common Problems This Solves

Compound paths with holes — KiCad merges inner/outer paths into one weird polygon instead of treating holes as cutouts. Fix: split into separate <path> elements.

Wrong scale — Illustrator exports at 72 DPI, KiCad expects 96 DPI. Empirical factor: 1.33350873. Fix: scale all coordinates.

CSS styles — KiCad ignores <defs>/<style> and CSS classes. Fix: replace with inline stroke/fill attributes.

Usage

Run the bundled script:

python3 $HOME/.claude/skills/kicad-svg-fix/scripts/fix-svg-for-kicad.py INPUT.svg [OUTPUT.svg] [--scale FACTOR] [--no-scale]

Default output: INPUT-fixed.svg (same directory)

Default scale: 1.33350873

--no-scale: only split compound paths and clean styles, skip scaling

--scale 1.5: use custom scale factor

After Import — KiCad Target Layers

Use case

Layer

Notes

Board outline

Edge.Cuts

Hole = actual cutout in PCB

Silkscreen logo

F.Silkscreen

KiCad draws strokes, not fills

Copper shape

F.Cu

Use filled zones instead

Alternative Approaches

If the script doesn't cover a specific case:

Inkscape Pre-processing

Open SVG in Inkscape

Select shape → Path → Break Apart (separates outer/inner)

Save as Plain SVG (not Inkscape SVG)

Import into KiCad

DXF Export from Illustrator

File → Export → Export As → DXF

KiCad: File → Import → Graphics → select DXF

DXF handles holes/outlines more reliably than SVG

svg2mod for Footprints

pip install svg2mod svg2mod -i input.svg -o output.kicad_mod

Converts SVG directly to KiCad footprint (.kicad_mod), handles holes better than native SVG import.

KiCad SVG Fix

Fix SVG files exported from Illustrator (or similar) for clean KiCad PCB import.

Common Problems This Solves

Compound paths with holes — KiCad merges inner/outer paths into one weird polygon instead of treating holes as cutouts. Fix: split into separate <path> elements.
Wrong scale — Illustrator exports at 72 DPI, KiCad expects 96 DPI. Empirical factor: 1.33350873. Fix: scale all coordinates.
CSS styles — KiCad ignores <defs>/<style> and CSS classes. Fix: replace with inline stroke/fill attributes.

Usage

Run the bundled script:

python3 $HOME/.claude/skills/kicad-svg-fix/scripts/fix-svg-for-kicad.py INPUT.svg [OUTPUT.svg] [--scale FACTOR] [--no-scale]

Default output: INPUT-fixed.svg (same directory)
Default scale: 1.33350873
--no-scale: only split compound paths and clean styles, skip scaling
--scale 1.5: use custom scale factor

After Import — KiCad Target Layers

Use case	Layer	Notes
Board outline	`Edge.Cuts`	Hole = actual cutout in PCB
Silkscreen logo	`F.Silkscreen`	KiCad draws strokes, not fills
Copper shape	`F.Cu`	Use filled zones instead

Alternative Approaches

If the script doesn't cover a specific case:

Inkscape Pre-processing

Open SVG in Inkscape
Select shape → Path → Break Apart (separates outer/inner)
Save as Plain SVG (not Inkscape SVG)
Import into KiCad

DXF Export from Illustrator

File → Export → Export As → DXF
KiCad: File → Import → Graphics → select DXF
DXF handles holes/outlines more reliably than SVG

svg2mod for Footprints

pip install svg2mod
svg2mod -i input.svg -o output.kicad_mod

Converts SVG directly to KiCad footprint (.kicad_mod), handles holes better than native SVG import.