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NewDXF and GenCAD – for production, test field and EFA SmartSuite→ Format guide · KiCadReviewing a KiCad board in work preparation or manufacturing – without installing KiCad? EFA CAMverse opens .kicad_pcb and .kicad_pro natively – no cloud upload – and shows layers, stackup, components, nets and 3D.
KiCad – the open-source board format of the free EDA suite.
KiCad is a complete, free EDA suite (schematic + layout). The .kicad_pcb file describes the layout in S-expression syntax and contains layers, traces, footprints, nets, keepouts and an explicit stackup; the accompanying .kicad_pro project file (JSON) holds the project settings.
KiCad originated in 1992 (Jean-Pierre Charras) and is actively developed today as a large open-source project – supported among others by CERN and under the umbrella of the Linux Foundation. It has gained strong traction in industry, open hardware and education.
Download for free and install – a native Windows application (10/11, 64-bit), free to use as a viewer.
Open the board file (.kicad_pcb) or the project file (.kicad_pro) directly. Individual .kicad_mod footprints are not loaded.
Toggle layers, highlight nets with a double-click, read the stackup, inspect components, measure distances – and switch to the 3D view with one click.
Toggle every layer and control transparency – read the explicit stackup from the file in the stackup pane.
The complete netlist of the board – with bidirectional highlighting by double-click.
Tracks, vias and copper areas (zones) are displayed – the board looks just like the original.
All footprints with reference, value and every field of the board – for bill of materials, quotation and assembly print.
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Top and bottom as assembly print – straight from the board’s component data, no detour via manufacturing data; show or hide the components of the customer variant with a click.
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Components in 3D – optionally with realistic component models that EFA CAMverse loads with a single click.
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Precise distance and geometry measurement right in the layer view.
Output or print the view as PDF, PNG or JPG – for documentation and coordination.
A native Windows application – no cloud, no upload. Your design data stays on your machine.
EFA CAMverse passes the KiCad board on directly – as DXF or as GenCAD, without going through another program.
Depaneling · design · documentation
Outline, milling channels, tabs and drill holes for your depaneling software, component outlines and fiducials for your CAD program, all layers as a drawing.
With KiCad: straight from the board – without a Gerber output and without KiCad itself.
More about DXF export →
In-circuit test · flying probe · AOI · placement machine
The basis for programming your test and production equipment – optionally with only the components of the customer variant.
With KiCad: components, pads, drill holes and nets come straight from the board – no detour via manufacturing data.
More about GenCAD export →Together with EFA SmartSuite, EFA CAMverse turns the KiCad board into a fully set-up EFA project – the way to automated inspection of the board shrinks to a few steps.
With KiCad: the components come straight from the board – no coordinate file needed.
More about EFA SmartSuite →KiCad board.kicad_pcbadd an image – start
KiCad vs. EAGLEBoth are tool-native design formats – not manufacturing exchange like Gerber or ODB++. KiCad is open source and uses S-expressions, EAGLE is proprietary (Autodesk) and XML-based. EFA CAMverse reads both natively – in the same tool. To the EAGLE guide →
What is read?Read are .kicad_pcb (S-expression, from KiCad 4 with the format updates through KiCad 5/6/7/8/9) and .kicad_pro (JSON, from KiCad 6). Not loaded are the legacy .brd format (up to KiCad 4) and individual .kicad_mod footprints.
And when the next customer delivers something else: EFA CAMverse also opens 8 more PCB/CAM formats – in the same tool, with the same way of working.
EFA CAMverse is free to use as a viewer – unlock advanced features whenever you need them. Native on Windows, your data stays local.
EFA CAMverse 2026 · free viewer · Windows 10/11 · 64-bitDo you have any questions? We will be happy to advise you – by phone, online or in person.
Gerber X3
ODB++
IPC-2581
IPC-D-356
PADS