KiCad EDA Suite Now Available in Browser
KiCad, a popular PCB design software, is now accessible directly in web browsers, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of electronic design automation. Emergence Engineering's dev shop has successfully ported the software, leveraging WebGL and Emscripten to enable multithreading. This development is expected to streamline design workflows and enhance collaboration.
Key points
- KiCad, a PCB EDA suite, is now available in a browser, allowing users to access and use the software without installing it.
- Emergence Engineering's dev shop, led by Viktor, the CTO, has successfully ported the software using WebGL and Emscripten.
- The browser-based version supports multithreading, thanks to Emscripten's Pthreads feature, and is compatible with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
- The development is expected to improve design workflows and enhance collaboration among users, but it is still an MVP and ongoing work.
- The project has been a labor of love for Viktor, who has spent weeks hunting down emulation bugs and implementing features.
KiCad EDA Suite Now Available in Browser
KiCad, a popular PCB design software, has made a significant leap forward with the release of its browser-based version. Emergence Engineering's dev shop, led by Viktor, the CTO, has successfully ported the software using WebGL and Emscripten. This development marks a major milestone in the evolution of electronic design automation.
The Road to Browser-Based KiCad
The journey to bringing KiCad to the browser was not without its challenges. Viktor, an ex-electrical engineer, initially thought that emulating the PCB canvas OpenGL code on the web would be the way to go. However, he soon discovered that it was faster and more efficient to write WebGL code that works with KiCad's Graphics Abstraction Layer. With the help of Claude, Viktor implemented the features and compared them to native code at every step.
The Impact of Browser-Based KiCad
The browser-based version of KiCad is expected to streamline design workflows and enhance collaboration among users. With the ability to access and use the software directly in the browser, users can work together more efficiently, regardless of their location. However, it is essential to note that the current version is still an MVP and ongoing work.
Conclusion
The release of KiCad in the browser is a significant development in the world of electronic design automation. Emergence Engineering's dev shop has demonstrated their expertise and dedication to bringing this software to the masses. As the project continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting features and improvements.
Sources
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