KiCad file compatibility — VS Code and Chrome
Both editions use the shared saved-file parser and 2D rendering pipeline. KiCad installation is not required for ordinary viewing. This describes file compatibility, not a native KiCad plugin ABI.
| Saved source | VS Code | Chrome | Evidence and limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| KiCad 8 | Recognized constructs | Recognized constructs | Header/geometry/field tests and older-format fixtures from the official 8.0 QA corpus; native KiCad 8 pixel acceptance remains pending. |
| KiCad 9 | Recognized constructs | Recognized constructs | Generator-header and geometry tests; not full native KiCad 9 feature certification. |
| KiCad 10 | Recognized constructs | Recognized constructs | Header/geometry tests and native-reference fixtures exported with KiCad 10. |
| Newer generator versions | Warned preview | Warned preview | Synthetic future headers test warnings; no promise of future-version compatibility. |
| KiCad 7 and older; legacy .sch/.brd | Not advertised as supported | Not advertised as supported | Some older modern-format constructs can render; a complete version-specific acceptance matrix is not established. |
Supported drawing extensions are .kicad_sch and .kicad_pcb. A saved format date alone does not establish the KiCad major version. Unknown top-level constructs are disclosed as omitted; nested/new features may require additional implementation. Embedded file assets, component-class rules, schematic net-class rule areas and native schematic tables are not implemented, even for newer sources. External model assets depend on supported formats and accessible paths.
Viewing and comparison have rendering/connectivity limits. Saved ERC/DRC findings are displayed; native checks and simulation solvers are not run. Opening a source does not establish complete design fidelity or engineering validation.
Choose an edition
- VS Code Marketplace: review beside source code, keep review sidecars and compare marker-based Git conflicts visually. VS Code 1.95 or newer is declared by the package.
- Chrome companion: local file/folder and supported GitHub/GitLab page review. Chrome Web Store publication is pending; no public store URL is advertised yet.
Each edition works independently. Portable exports transfer supported review state; feature availability differs by host. KiCad, Microsoft and Google do not endorse this independent product.
3D copper surface fidelity
Trace centerlines and widths use rounded endpoint discs rather than extended rectangular ends. Copper arcs use bounded adaptive sampling (5 µm target sagitta, 512 segments per arc; capped copper arcs are reported). Filled zone surfaces use saved contours and opaque depth writing. Only through vias are drilled/rendered through the full substrate; blind/buried spans are omitted and reported until layer-specific depth is supported. Unsupported pad shapes and missing linked models remain disclosed. Camera clipping follows the projected enclosing geometry bounds to preserve fine surface depth while retaining nearby board corners.