ppvisualize - a minimal, fast, structural-only breadboard placement preview
ppvisualize
[-o FILE] [--kicad-cli CMD]
[--debug] [--quiet] SCHEMATIC
ppvisualize {--help|--version}
ppvisualize renders a minimal, fast, structural-only SVG preview of auto_layout.py’s own placement decision for a real schematic: every anchor as a labeled box, every passive as a labeled dot, and a line showing which net attached each passive to what.
This is deliberately NOT a real breadboard diagram: no real component shapes, no hole discretization, no collision-aware label placement. It exists to answer one question fast — does the placement make structural sense — without depending on the fuller renderer’s own correctness. For an actual, physically accurate breadboard-style diagram, see pprender(1) instead; for the same underlying placement decision as plain text rather than a picture, see ppauto_layout(1).
-o FILE, --output FILE
Write the preview SVG to FILE instead of the default, auto_layout_preview.svg.
--kicad-cli CMD
The kicad-cli(1) command to invoke for netlist export. Defaults to $KICAD_CLI if set, otherwise plain kicad-cli on $PATH.
--version
Show this project’s own current version (read from VERSION) and exit.
--debug
Also print the same placement-decision text ppauto_layout(1) prints — the real data this preview draws from.
--quiet
Suppress the final "wrote ..." confirmation line on success.
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0 |
The schematic was loaded and the preview written successfully. | ||
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1 |
The schematic could not be loaded (missing file, or a kicad-cli(1) failure). | ||
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2 |
Invalid command-line usage. |
Render a quick structural preview:
ppvisualize power.kicad_sch
Render to a specific path, with the underlying placement decision printed alongside it:
ppvisualize --debug -o preview.svg power.kicad_sch
pprender(1), ppauto_layout(1), ppnetlist(1), in packpay’s own documentation set (see Index.org).
Péter Felecan <pfelecan@gmail.com>, with development assistance from Claude (Anthropic).
Copyright © 2026 Péter Felecan. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>. This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.