KiCad Frontpanel Generator
Create matching front panels for KiCad PCBs automatically
The most popular free and open source design suite for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) likely is KiCad. When designing a PCB with buttons and switches, that's meant to be operated by an end user, the PCB usually is covered by a front panel. The front panel has cut-outs and labels for switches, displays and indicator lights. Designing a suitable front panel often is a time-consuming extra step, because all the cut-outs and labels must be placed manually at precise locations to match the PCB components. KiCad Frontpanel Generator creates matching front panels for KiCad PCBs automatically. The PCB designer defines cut-outs and labels in unused layers of footprints and in the PCB. The Front Panel Generator then uses the shapes from these layers to generate a suitable cover plate.
This project was funded through the NGI0 Commons Fund, a fund established by NLnet with financial support from the European Commission's Next Generation Internet programme, under the aegis of DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology under grant agreement No 101135429. Additional funding is made available by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
