Import outlines from DXF or SVG files does not work for SVG

[Leandro Heck]

I figured out that I can import SVG files when creating footprints, which is awesome. The bitmap converter is not good because I have to think about the dimension based on pixels and resolution, I particularly hate that. With Inkscape I can just create shapes with the specific size.

But when selecting an svg file, the "Import Vector Graphics window" shows "There is no plugin to handle this file type"

Application: kicad
Version: 5.1.2-f72e74a~84~ubuntu19.04.1, release build
Libraries:
    wxWidgets 3.0.4
    libcurl/7.64.0 OpenSSL/1.1.1b zlib/1.2.11 libidn2/2.0.5 libpsl/0.20.2 (+libidn2/2.0.5) libssh/0.8.6/openssl/zlib nghttp2/1.36.0 librtmp/2.3
Platform: Linux 5.0.0-13-generic x86_64, 64 bit, Little endian, wxGTK
Build Info:
    wxWidgets: 3.0.4 (wchar_t,wx containers,compatible with 2.8) GTK+ 3.24
    Boost: 1.67.0
    OpenCASCADE Community Edition: 6.9.1
    Curl: 7.64.0
    Compiler: GCC 8.3.0 with C++ ABI 1013

Build settings:
    USE_WX_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=OFF
    USE_WX_OVERLAY=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_MODULES=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_PYTHON3=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON_PHOENIX=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_ACTION_MENU=ON
    BUILD_GITHUB_PLUGIN=ON
    KICAD_USE_OCE=ON
    KICAD_USE_OCC=OFF
    KICAD_SPICE=ON

[Michael Kavanagh (michaelkavanagh)]

In the 5.1 branch, SVG import is an advanced config option. See developers documentation [1], [2].

Enable it by creating a file named kicad_advanced in the config directory with the content "EnableSvgImport=1".

Please note, this is not formally supported yet, which is why it must be explicitly enabled in the advanced config.

In the master branch nightlies, this option is on by default.

[1] http://docs.kicad-pcb.org/doxygen/namespaceAC__KEYS.html
[2] http://docs.kicad-pcb.org/doxygen/md_Documentation_development_testing.html#advanced-configuration

[Leandro Heck (leoheck)]

Awesome Michael. Thanks for the feedback. I will give it a try.