KiCad compatibility
GoatCAD reads and writes KiCad’s own files: schematics, boards, symbol and footprint libraries, library tables and project files. There is no import step and no private copy of the design.
Versions
| Written by | In GoatCAD |
|---|---|
| KiCad 10 | Opens and saves as is |
| KiCad 6, 7, 8, 9 | Opens; saving upgrades to KiCad 10 |
| Before KiCad 6 | Read-only. Save it in KiCad 6+ first. |
| Newer than KiCad 10 | Read-only |
Opening a file never changes it on disk. A file from an older KiCad shows a banner
saying it will be migrated to the KiCad 10 format when you save. For a schematic with
sheets, that first save upgrades every sheet and the .kicad_pro together, so the
project stays on one version.
After that save, KiCad 9 and earlier can no longer open the file. If you share a design with someone on an older KiCad, commit or back it up before saving it in GoatCAD.
Working alongside KiCad
Both tools can stay installed and open the same KiCad 10 project. GoatCAD adds no files of its own; see the file model.
If a file does not open cleanly, include the KiCad version that wrote it when you report the problem.