Unable to open KiCad footprints and libraries

[ghost]

I cannot complete any of the examples, except for the ones that do not include any parts:

l_code$ python esp32_motor-pcb-x3_final.py
Circuit:  Parts: 17  Nets: 36
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/home/twinlizzie/Ngnuity-Repos/sylvie-2024/schematics/skidl_code/esp32_motor-pcb-x3_final.py", line 270, in <module>
    sp = SkiPart(brd.DC(part.loc), part, side=side)
  File "/home/twinlizzie/miniconda3/lib/python3.10/site-packages/pcbflow/kicad.py", line 286, in __init__
    lfn = self._find_footprint_file(skipart.footprint)
  File "/home/twinlizzie/miniconda3/lib/python3.10/site-packages/pcbflow/kicad.py", line 316, in _find_footprint_file
    raise FileNotFoundError("Unable to find KiCAD footprints directory")
FileNotFoundError: Unable to find KiCAD footprints directory

Not sure how to set the footprint directory. I've tried modifying kicad.py itself, with a little bit of luck, though it only leads to more errors.

Code:

import os
import sys
import math
import glob
import shapely.geometry as sg

from pcbflow import *
from skidl import *

# Set the default tool to KiCad 7 for footprint management.
set_default_tool(KICAD7)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    ###
    ### SKiDL Circuit Declarations
    ###

	# Create ESP32 and TMC5160 headers with updated part names
	esp32_header1 = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x15", footprint="PinSocket_1x15_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	esp32_header2 = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x15", footprint="PinSocket_1x15_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	
	tmc5160_header1 = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x08", footprint="PinSocket_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	tmc5160_header2 = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x08", footprint="PinSocket_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	
	tmc5160_header1b = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x08", footprint="PinSocket_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	tmc5160_header2b = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x08", footprint="PinSocket_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	
	tmc5160_header1c = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x08", footprint="PinSocket_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	tmc5160_header2c = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x08", footprint="PinSocket_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	
	# Create 1x4 connector for stepper motor connections
	stepper_motor_header = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x04", footprint="PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	stepper_motor_header_b = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x04", footprint="PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	stepper_motor_header_c = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x04", footprint="PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	
	# Create 1x4 connector for CAN Bus connections
	can_bus_header = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x04", footprint="PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical")
	
	# Create 100uF 63V capacitor with correct footprint
	capacitor = Part("Device", "C", value="100uF", voltage="63V", footprint="Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D10.0mm_P5.00mm")
	capacitor_b = Part("Device", "C", value="100uF", voltage="63V", footprint="Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D10.0mm_P5.00mm")
	capacitor_c = Part("Device", "C", value="100uF", voltage="63V", footprint="Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D10.0mm_P5.00mm")
	
	# Create a 3-pin terminal block for 36V connections
	terminal_block = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x03", footprint="TerminalBlock_Phoenix_PT-1,5-2-5.0-H_1x02_P5.00mm_Horizontal")
	
	# Create through-hole solder pads for 36V+ and 36V_GND connections with 2.54mm spacing
	terminal_block_2 = Part("Connector_Generic", "Conn_01x02", footprint="TerminalBlock_Phoenix_MPT-0,5-2-2.54_1x02_P2.54mm_Horizontal")
	
	# Create 36V_V+ and 36V_GND nets.
	V_plus_36V = Net("36V_V+")
	GND_36V = Net("36V_GND")
	
	# Define the GPIO pins according to ESP32 30pin version.
	esp32_vin = esp32_header1[1]
	esp32_gnd1 = esp32_header1[2]
	esp32_3v3 = esp32_header2[1]
	esp32_gnd2 = esp32_header2[2]
	esp32_gpio2 = esp32_header2[4]
	esp32_gpio4 = esp32_header2[5]
	esp32_gpio5 = esp32_header2[8]
	esp32_gpio12 = esp32_header1[4]
	esp32_gpio13 = esp32_header1[3]
	esp32_gpio14 = esp32_header1[5]
	esp32_gpio15 = esp32_header2[3]
	esp32_gpio16 = esp32_header2[6]
	esp32_gpio17 = esp32_header2[7]
	esp32_gpio18 = esp32_header2[9]
	esp32_gpio19 = esp32_header2[10]
	esp32_gpio21 = esp32_header2[11]
	esp32_gpio22 = esp32_header2[14]
	esp32_gpio23 = esp32_header2[15]
	esp32_gpio25 = esp32_header1[8]
	esp32_gpio26 = esp32_header1[7]
	esp32_gpio27 = esp32_header1[6]
	esp32_gpio32 = esp32_header1[10]
	esp32_gpio33 = esp32_header1[9]
	
	# Define the pins for TMC5160
	tmc5160_pins = {
	    'gnd2': tmc5160_header1[8], 
	    '3v3': tmc5160_header1[7],
	    'm2b': tmc5160_header1[6],
	    'm1b': tmc5160_header1[5],
	    'm1a': tmc5160_header1[4],
	    'm2a': tmc5160_header1[3],
	    'gnd1': tmc5160_header1[2],
	    'vmot': tmc5160_header1[1],
	    'en': tmc5160_header2[1],
	    'sdi': tmc5160_header2[2],
	    'sck': tmc5160_header2[3],
	    'csn': tmc5160_header2[4],
	    'sdo': tmc5160_header2[5],
	    'step': tmc5160_header2[7],
	    'dir': tmc5160_header2[8]
	}
	
	# Define the pins for TMC5160b
	tmc5160b_pins = {
	    'gnd2': tmc5160_header1b[8], 
	    '3v3': tmc5160_header1b[7],
	    'm2b': tmc5160_header1b[6],
	    'm1b': tmc5160_header1b[5],
	    'm1a': tmc5160_header1b[4],
	    'm2a': tmc5160_header1b[3],
	    'gnd1': tmc5160_header1b[2],
	    'vmot': tmc5160_header1b[1],
	    'en': tmc5160_header2b[1],
	    'sdi': tmc5160_header2b[2],
	    'sck': tmc5160_header2b[3],
	    'csn': tmc5160_header2b[4],
	    'sdo': tmc5160_header2b[5],
	    'step': tmc5160_header2b[7],
	    'dir': tmc5160_header2b[8]
	}
	
	# Define the pins for TMC5160c
	tmc5160c_pins = {
	    'gnd2': tmc5160_header1c[8], 
	    '3v3': tmc5160_header1c[7],
	    'm2b': tmc5160_header1c[6],
	    'm1b': tmc5160_header1c[5],
	    'm1a': tmc5160_header1c[4],
	    'm2a': tmc5160_header1c[3],
	    'gnd1': tmc5160_header1c[2],
	    'vmot': tmc5160_header1c[1],
	    'en': tmc5160_header2c[1],
	    'sdi': tmc5160_header2c[2],
	    'sck': tmc5160_header2c[3],
	    'csn': tmc5160_header2c[4],
	    'sdo': tmc5160_header2c[5],
	    'step': tmc5160_header2c[7],
	    'dir': tmc5160_header2c[8]
	}
	
	# Create VIN and GND nets.
	vin = Net("VIN")
	gnd = Net("GND")
	
	# Create 3.3v gnd net.
	vcc_gnd = Net("VCC_GND")
	
	# Connect 36V_V+ and 36V_GND to the terminal block
	V_plus_36V += terminal_block[1]  # Connect 36V_V+ to the first pin of the PT terminal block slot 1
	GND_36V += terminal_block[2]     # Connect 36V_GND to the third pin of the PT terminal block slot 2
	
	# Connect VIN and GND to ESP32 header 2.
	vin += terminal_block_2[1] # Connect VIN to the MPT TerminalBlock slot 1
	gnd += terminal_block_2[2] # Connect GND to the MPT TerminalBlock slot 2
	
	# Connect capacitor between 36V_V+ and 36V_GND nets
	capacitor[1, 2] += V_plus_36V, GND_36V
	capacitor_b[1, 2] += V_plus_36V, GND_36V
	capacitor_c[1, 2] += V_plus_36V, GND_36V
	
	# Connect one pin of the limit switch header to the resistor and the other pin to ESP32 3.3v (Pull-down Resistor!)
	# limit_switch_header[1] += resistor1[2], esp32_header1[5]  # Connect pin 1 of limit switch header to one pin of the resistor, and pin 5 on esp32 header 1
	# limit_switch_header[2] += esp32_header2[1]           # Connect pin 2 of limit switch header to ESP32 3.3v pin
	
	# Connect VIN and GND to ESP32 and TMC5160 pins.
	vin += esp32_vin
	gnd += esp32_gnd1
	
	vcc_gnd += esp32_gnd2
	
	# vcc_gnd += resistor1[1] # GND connected to Resistor pin 1
	
	# Connect all the CAN Bus headers to the ESP32 Header 2
	can_bus_header[1] += esp32_3v3 # 3.3v
	can_bus_header[2] += esp32_gnd2 # GND
	can_bus_header[3] += esp32_gpio4 # CAN TX
	can_bus_header[4] += esp32_gpio5 # CAN RX
	
	# First TMC5160 Instance
	esp32_3v3 += tmc5160_pins['3v3']
	esp32_gnd2 += tmc5160_pins['gnd2']
	V_plus_36V += tmc5160_pins['vmot']
	GND_36V += tmc5160_pins['gnd1']
	vcc_gnd += tmc5160_pins['gnd2']
	esp32_gpio13 += tmc5160_pins['dir']
	esp32_gpio12 += tmc5160_pins['step']
	esp32_gpio15 += tmc5160_pins['en']
	esp32_gpio23 += tmc5160_pins['sdi']
	esp32_gpio19 += tmc5160_pins['sdo']
	esp32_gpio18 += tmc5160_pins['sck']
	esp32_gpio14 += tmc5160_pins['csn']
	stepper_motor_header[1] += tmc5160_pins['m2a']
	stepper_motor_header[2] += tmc5160_pins['m1a']
	stepper_motor_header[3] += tmc5160_pins['m1b']
	stepper_motor_header[4] += tmc5160_pins['m2b']
	
	# Second TMC5160 Instance
	esp32_3v3 += tmc5160b_pins['3v3']
	esp32_gnd2 += tmc5160b_pins['gnd2']
	V_plus_36V += tmc5160b_pins['vmot']
	GND_36V += tmc5160b_pins['gnd1']
	vcc_gnd += tmc5160b_pins['gnd2']
	esp32_gpio27 += tmc5160b_pins['dir']
	esp32_gpio26 += tmc5160b_pins['step']
	esp32_gpio17 += tmc5160b_pins['en']
	esp32_gpio23 += tmc5160b_pins['sdi']
	esp32_gpio19 += tmc5160b_pins['sdo']
	esp32_gpio18 += tmc5160b_pins['sck']
	esp32_gpio25 += tmc5160b_pins['csn']
	stepper_motor_header_b[1] += tmc5160b_pins['m2a']
	stepper_motor_header_b[2] += tmc5160b_pins['m1a']
	stepper_motor_header_b[3] += tmc5160b_pins['m1b']
	stepper_motor_header_b[4] += tmc5160b_pins['m2b']
	
	# Third TMC5160 Instance
	esp32_3v3 += tmc5160c_pins['3v3']
	esp32_gnd2 += tmc5160c_pins['gnd2']
	V_plus_36V += tmc5160c_pins['vmot']
	GND_36V += tmc5160c_pins['gnd1']
	vcc_gnd += tmc5160c_pins['gnd2']
	esp32_gpio32 += tmc5160c_pins['dir']
	esp32_gpio2 += tmc5160c_pins['step']
	esp32_gpio22 += tmc5160c_pins['en']
	esp32_gpio23 += tmc5160c_pins['sdi']
	esp32_gpio19 += tmc5160c_pins['sdo']
	esp32_gpio18 += tmc5160c_pins['sck']
	esp32_gpio33 += tmc5160c_pins['csn']
	stepper_motor_header_c[1] += tmc5160c_pins['m2a']
	stepper_motor_header_c[2] += tmc5160c_pins['m1a']
	stepper_motor_header_c[3] += tmc5160c_pins['m1b']
	stepper_motor_header_c[4] += tmc5160c_pins['m2b']

    ###
    ### pcbflow PCB Declarations
    ###

	# Create a pcbflow Board instance
	brd = Board((100, 100))  # Adjust the board size as per your requirement

	brd.add_inner_copper_layer(2)

	# Place 2 mm mounting holes in the corners
	holes = ((5, 5), (5, 25), (50, 5), (50, 25))
	for hole in holes:
		brd.add_hole(hole, 2.0)

	# Assign a convenient reference to the default SKiDL circuit
	ckt = default_circuit

	print("Circuit:  Parts: %d  Nets: %d" % (len(ckt.parts), len(ckt.nets)))

	# Assign part locations
	esp32_header1.loc = (35, 15)
	esp32_header2.loc = (45, 15)
	tmc5160_header1.loc = (25, 15)
	tmc5160_header2.loc = (55, 15)
	tmc5160_header1b.loc = (20, 10)
	tmc5160_header2b.loc = (60, 10)
	tmc5160_header1c.loc = (15, 5)
	tmc5160_header2c.loc = (65, 5)
	stepper_motor_header.loc = (30, 5)
	stepper_motor_header_b.loc = (50, 5)
	stepper_motor_header_c.loc = (70, 5)
	can_bus_header.loc = (65, 5)
	capacitor.loc = (25, 5)
	capacitor_b.loc = (45, 5)
	capacitor_c.loc = (65, 5)
	terminal_block.loc = (70, 5)
	terminal_block_2.loc = (75, 5)

	# Instantiate SkiPart(PCBPart) instances
	sides = ["top"] * 17  # Assuming all parts are on the top side

	for part, side in zip(ckt.parts, sides):
		sp = SkiPart(brd.DC(part.loc), part, side=side)
		# "fanout" GND and VDD vias from parts with GND and VDD net connections
		sp.fanout(["VDD"])
		sp.fanout(["GND"], relative_to="inside")


	# Finish the PCB with an outline and poured copper layers
	brd.add_outline()
	brd.fill_layer("GTL", "GND")
	brd.fill_layer("GBL", "GND")

	# Save the rendered PCB to asset files
	brd.save("%s" % (os.path.basename(__file__)[:-3]))

	# Generate the netlist (if required)
	generate_netlist()  # If you need to generate a netlist, add this line

	print("PCB design completed.")

[ghost]

Here's the result if I change FP_LIB_PATH to 'usr/share/kicad/footprints' in kicad.py

(base) twinlizzie@twinlizzie-MS-7C51:~/Ngnuity-Repos/sylvie-2024/schematics/skidl_code$ python esp32_motor-pcb-x3_final.py
Circuit:  Parts: 17  Nets: 36
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/home/twinlizzie/Ngnuity-Repos/sylvie-2024/schematics/skidl_code/esp32_motor-pcb-x3_final.py", line 270, in <module>
    sp = SkiPart(brd.DC(part.loc), part, side=side)
  File "/home/twinlizzie/miniconda3/lib/python3.10/site-packages/pcbflow/kicad.py", line 288, in __init__
    super().__init__(
  File "/home/twinlizzie/miniconda3/lib/python3.10/site-packages/pcbflow/kicad.py", line 42, in __init__
    self.parse()
  File "/home/twinlizzie/miniconda3/lib/python3.10/site-packages/pcbflow/kicad.py", line 273, in parse
    self._parse_fp_text(v["fp_text"])
  File "/home/twinlizzie/miniconda3/lib/python3.10/site-packages/pcbflow/kicad.py", line 148, in _parse_fp_text
    layer = self._map_layers(e["layer"])[0]
IndexError: list index out of range

[ghost]

Bug fixed by adding this layer to the list in kicad.py:

KI_LAYER_DICT = {
"F.SilkS": "GTO",
"F.Paste": "GTP",
"F.Mask": "GTS",
"F.Cu": "GTL",
"F.Fab": "GTD",
"F.CrtYd": "GTO", # Assuming F.CrtYd should map to the same layer as F.SilkS
}

Credits to ChatGPT.

It also seems like I have to use Kicad 5 footprints, though it could have just been an isolated bug with a special component (in this case, a capacitor) that was causing issues.

[michaelgale]

@khanumballz glad you found a fix! I would not be surprised if pcbflow has issues with newer versions of KiCAD libraries since the data format and mapping of layers can change. I am surprised ChatGPT was able to offer assistance--I guess pcbflow is somehow part of its massive training dataset!