How do I import a schematics into Qorvo ie printers PDF scanners
I don’t want to recreate my schematic from scratch which is a full page of parts.
QSPice is a great tool. However, it doesn’t have a OCR (Optical ‘Component’ Recognition) feature. Maybe someone out there knows a OCR that you might use.
Have you tried sending the schematic to an AI and have it convert to QSpice component? If it can, let the forum know. It might be useful for others.
Len
@Ray1 ,
Here is some info supplied by the AI Gemini:
Converting a schematic directly from a PDF to a netlist is a complex task because PDF files generally contain only graphical data (lines and text) rather than the underlying electrical connectivity (intelligence) required for a netlist.
However, several emerging AI-driven tools and research projects are designed to bridge this gap:
1. Dedicated AI Tools & Frameworks
Several recent projects use deep learning and computer vision to “read” schematics and generate SPICE netlists:
- Netlistify: Developed by NVIDIA Research, this tool uses deep learning (specifically YOLOv8 and ResNet) to recognize components, their orientations, and their connectivity from schematic images.
- Masala-CHAI / Auto-SPICE: These are automated frameworks that leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-4o alongside custom object detection models to extract SPICE netlists from analog circuit diagrams found in textbooks and papers.
- CircuitSchematicImageInterpreter: A Python package available on GitHub that uses OCR and image processing to identify components (like resistors and capacitors) and generate network graphs or SPICE netlists.
2. General Approaches & Workarounds
If the automated tools above do not support your specific components or schematic style, engineers typically use these methods:
- Manual Redrawing (Tracing): Most professionals load the PDF as a background image in a tool like LTspice or gschem and manually place components over the image to ensure 100% accuracy.
- Netlist Converters: If your PDF was originally exported from an ECAD tool, you may be able to find the original design files and use a tool like Quadcept’s NET CHANGER or InnoFour’s Netlist Converter to convert between different netlist formats once you have the raw data.
3. Comparison of Methods
| Method | Accuracy | Effort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Frameworks | Variable | Low | High-volume extraction (e.g., research). |
| Python Scripts | High (for simple circuits) | Medium | Basic passive/analog circuits. |
| Manual Redraw | 100% (Human verified) | High | Critical, complex, or legacy designs. |
[!WARNING]
Even with advanced AI, a single misidentified connection or decimal point in a PDF can lead to a non-functional or dangerous circuit. Always manually verify any netlist generated by an automated tool.
Len