kicad-testpoints

CLI to generate a JigsApp compatible test point report for generating bed-of-nails jigs. Specify any pad as a test pad.

KiCAD Plugin

This is the command line tool based on reference designator and pad number. For the action plugin see snhobbs/kicad-testpoints-pcm.

The plugin is generates the same report as the CLI except it can be used entirely within the KiCAD user interface (no terminals required) and uses the fabrication property of the pads instead of their pad number and ref des.

Watch the plugin introduction

Use

There are two modes of the CLI:

• by-fab-setting
• from-spreadsheet

By Fab Setting

If using the fab setting then you set the fabrication setting of each desired pad to "test point". Run the CLI with the following arguments to generate a spreadsheet report:

kicad_testpoints by-fab-setting --pcb <PROJECT>.kicad_pcb  --out test-point-report.xlsx --drill-center

From Spreadsheet

If using a spreadsheet input instead then generate one with the source ref des and source pad then call the CLI like this:

kicad_testpoints from-spreadsheet --pcb <PROJECT>.kicad_pcb  --points test_points.xlsx --out test-point-report.xlsx --drill-center

The CLI will pull out the related pad data and creates the report as a csv.

NOTE: As it is possible to create footprints with multiple pads with the same name this method will take the first matching pad name.

The generated report is consistent with the kicad-parts-placer CLI tool.

Links

• Blog Post
• Video Introduction
• TheJigsApp: Test Point Reports.

Test Points in other EDA Programs

• Altium Designer
• Cadence
• PCB-Investigator
• PADS

For more on generating test point reports see this post.