Emergence Engineering has developed a browser-based version of KiCad, a PCB EDA suite. This project enhances accessibility for users without requiring local installation, facilitating easier experimentation and onboarding in PCB design.
Emergence Engineering has released a browser-based version of KiCad, allowing users to engage with the PCB EDA suite online. Users can try a demo project or upload their own, primarily supporting Firefox, with Chrome compatibility and Safari in progress.
The development involved emulating KiCad's graphics functionality using WebGL, which proved more efficient than previous emulation attempts. The team also utilized Emscripten to port multithreaded applications, which are critical for features like design rule checks.
Significant optimizations were made, reducing the application size by moving certain modules to lazy-loaded WebAssembly components. This lowered the bundle from 180 MB to 130 MB, enhancing load times substantially.
The project is still under development, addressing bugs while aiming to enhance the overall user experience. By bringing KiCad to the browser, Emergence Engineering opens new avenues for collaboration and learning in PCB design.
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Emergence Engineering has developed a browser-based version of KiCad, a PCB EDA suite. This project enhances accessibility for users without requiring local installation, facilitating easier experimentation and onboarding in PCB design.