Netconv - TinyCAD netlist to KiCAD pcbnew netlist converter

What is Netconv?

Netconv is a free and open source tool to convert TinyCAD netlists to either a "clean" TinyCAD netlist (without the 2.50.10 bug) or a net list for KiCAD pcbnew. When converting to pcbnew you have to supply a map file that translates TinyCAD part names to pcbnew foot prints. I know that there are other ways to do this but this way you can use the full power of TinyCAD component handling.

Note that Netconv is developed to fit TinyCAD 2.50.10 and KiCAD 2007-01-15. I haven't tried the TinyCAD 2.60.xx release, but my guess is that the net list format is the same, or that just the 2.50.10 net list bug is removed.

No guarantees at all... You use Netconv at your own risk.

Release information

2007-03-14. Version 0.3. Fixed bug that messed up component positions. J10 and J100 were treated as the same component. In most cases, pcbnew gave a warning when reading a netlist with this kind of position errors.
2007-03-01. First release.

Netconv screen shot

Downloads

Source
Netconv.exe (Qt Win XP application. Please tell me if dlls are missing)
Example TinyCAD library (only resistances)
Example TinyCAD schematic (using the library above)
Example map file (for the above library)
Example KiCAD library
Example KiCAD board

How to convert to KiCAD pcbnew

Use the example design to learn the application.

Run TinyCAD. Add the example resistor library and examine it to understand how component names are used.
Open the example schematic. Export a net list from the schematic in TinyCAD format.
Run Netconv. The first time you run it there are no default paths and files to use. When ever you chose a file or make a conversion setting, Netconv will remember this to the next time you use the application.
Chose your input file (this is the net list you just generated from TinyCAD).
Push the radio button "Kicad extended".
Set the path and file name to the map file (where ever you saved it on your disc). This step is almost the same as when using Cvpcb to go from from KiCAD schematics to KiCAD pcbnew.
Chose a path and file name for "Output net list file for KiCAD".
Push the "Do convert!" button.
The "Console" will give you some basic design details (number of components, nets, pins, errors etc).
Now you are ready to start kicad and open a new board. Set up pcbnew to include the pcbnew example library.
Read the kicad net list you just generated with Netconv.

Now you are ready to do the PCB design!

How to convert to TinyCAD clean

Run Netconv.
Chose your input file (the TinyCAD 2.50.10 netlist).
Push the radio button "TinyCAD 2.50.10 clean".
Chose a path and file name for "Output TinyCAD clean net list file".
Push the "Do convert!" button.
The "Console" will give you some basic design details (number of components, nets, pins, errors etc).

Now you have a net list without the 2.50.10 bug!

What is the 2.50.10 net list bug?

This is an net list example of what TinyCAD 2.50.10 generates:

NET '-5V' = (L203,2),(C225,1),(U306,2),-5V

As you see, the net name is (sometimes) included in the list of nodes (when you set the net name manually in TinyCAD, as you do for power supplies and more)

And after running Netconv:

NET '-5V' = (L203,2),(C225,1),(U306,2)

Bug reports and enhancement requests

Please send a mail to magnus @ beischer.com if you want to report a bug or need more functions in Netconv.