# Former

A desktop application for generating 3D-printable solder paste stencils and snap-fit enclosures from KiCad/Gerber files.

![Former](static/showcase.png)

## Features

**Stencil Generation**
- Parses RS-274X Gerber solder paste layers
- Supports standard apertures (Circle, Rectangle, Obround) and Aperture Macros with rotation
- Generates optimized STL meshes for 3D printing
- Automatic cropping to PCB bounds

**Enclosure Generation**
- Generates snap-fit enclosures with lids and trays from KiCad `.gbrjob` projects
- Native OpenSCAD `.scad` export for parametric editing
- Interactive 3D layer viewer with per-layer colorization (KiCad color scheme)
- Visual cutout placement on any surface (top, bottom, sides) with live 3D preview
- Automatic USB port detection and cutout alignment from F.Fab/B.Fab layers
- Tray clip system with vertical relief slots
- Dado/engrave mode for surface text and logos

**Desktop App**
- Native macOS and Windows application (Wails v2)
- Project saving and loading with persistent cutout state
- CLI mode for scripted/batch workflows

## Install

### Requirements

- [Go](https://go.dev/dl/) 1.21+
- [Wails CLI](https://wails.io/docs/gettingstarted/installation): `go install github.com/wailsapp/wails/v2/cmd/wails@latest`
- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) 18+ (for frontend build)
- macOS: Xcode Command Line Tools (`xcode-select --install`)

### Build

**macOS:**
```bash
./build.sh
```

**Windows (native):**
```bat
build-windows.bat
```

**Cross-compile for Windows (from macOS/Linux):**
```bash
./build-windows.sh
```

The built application will be at `build/bin/Former.app` (macOS) or `build/bin/Former.exe` (Windows).

## CLI Usage

Former can also run headless from the command line:

```bash
./Former [options] <paste_layer.gbr> [outline.gbr]
```

### Options

| Flag | Default | Description |
|------|---------|-------------|
| `--height` | 0.16 | Stencil height in mm |
| `--wall-height` | 2.0 | Wall height in mm |
| `--wall-thickness` | 1.0 | Wall thickness in mm |
| `--dpi` | 1016 | Rendering DPI |
| `--keep-png` | false | Save intermediate PNG |

### Example

```bash
./Former --height=0.16 --keep-png my_board-F_Paste.gbr my_board-Edge_Cuts.gbr
```

## 3D Printing Tips

For fine-pitch SMD stencils (TSSOP, 0402, etc.):

- **Nozzle**: 0.2mm recommended
- **Layer height**: 0.16mm total (0.10mm first layer + 0.06mm second)
- **Build surface**: Smooth PEI sheet for flat stencil bottom

## Acknowledgments

Former began as a fork of [pcb-to-stencil](https://github.com/kennycoder/pcb-to-stencil) by [Nikolai Danylchyk](https://github.com/kennycoder), a Go tool for converting Gerber paste layers to STL stencils. The original Gerber parser and STL mesh generation formed the foundation that Former builds upon.

## License

MIT License — see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.