Tool Open source

TraceMaker

TraceMaker is an open-source autorouter and component placer for KiCad circuit boards. It reads a .kicad_pcb file, routes unrouted connections by drawing tracks and vias, and writes the result back to a KiCad file; its output is checked with KiCad's own design-rule checker. A live browser viewer can display routing progress, and the separate placer can improve an existing placement, steer placement for routability, nudge selected parts, or place a board from scratch while respecting locked parts, edge connectors, and keep-outs.

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Overview

The project provides a C++20 command-line application, a KiCad 10 action plugin, a design-rule checker, inspection and package-escape commands, and CPU, CUDA, and Apple Metal execution paths. It runs without a GPU; CUDA 12.x or Metal can accelerate parts of the computation. The repository reports support for KiCad 9 and 10 boards and includes benchmark and test tooling. It is released under GPL-3.0-or-later.

What TraceMaker is used for

1 use taken from transcripts — each links to the moment in the video.

  • Takes a KiCad circuit board with unfinished connections and draws the tracks and vias for you, optionally moving components to make routing easier, with a live viewer and validation against KiCad's own design rules.

Videos mentioning TraceMaker

1 in the library.