"Our lab (or company) only uses Altium. Can we even try MODI Factory?"
Short answer — yes, and you can start right now.

MODI Factory currently supports KiCad and EasyEDA formats. Native Altium integration is on our roadmap, but you don't have to wait. By using KiCad as a one-time conversion bridge, you can run your existing designs through MODI Factory's AI placement and routing. No rework required.

You'll need just one thing: the latest version of KiCad (9 or newer recommended), free from kicad.org.

Conversion flow: Altium .SchDoc / .PcbDoc → open in KiCad → save as KiCad format → upload to MODI Factory

One key point up front: you don't need to "export" anything from Altium. The conversion happens on the KiCad side, which "imports" your Altium files. You don't even need an Altium license. Just the files.

Step 1. Prepare your source files

Grab your schematic (.SchDoc) and PCB layout (.PcbDoc) from your Altium project. KiCad 9.0.3+ can also import the entire project file (.PrjPcb) at once.

💡 MODI Factory's AI placement works based on your schematic data. It needs to know how components connect in order to decide which parts to place near each other, so be sure to include your .SchDoc.

Step 2. Import into KiCad

Launch KiCad and go to File → Import → Non-KiCad Project, then select your Altium project. The wizard converts both schematic and PCB together.

Step 3. Check layer mapping

During conversion, you'll map Altium layers to KiCad layers. Auto-Match Layers is accurate in most cases, but give it a quick visual check afterward.

Step 4. Save and verify

The result starts in an "Unsaved" state. Confirm that component placement and connections match the original, then save to generate your .kicad_sch/ .kicad_pcbfiles.

Step 5. Upload to MODI Factory

From here, it's identical to Tutorial ①. Upload the saved KiCad files and run AI placement.

💡 Good to know: Altium's design rules (trace widths, clearances, and other DRC settings) don't carry over to KiCad. But MODI Factory only needs your connectivity and component data, so this has zero impact on the placement and routing experience.

Using OrCAD or Allegro?

We're preparing a workaround for OrCAD and Allegro users too. At the moment, MODI Factory takes a schematic file alongside your layout for accurate placement, and converting these files to KiCad doesn't fully carry over that schematic data, so we're not quite ready to walk you through it yet.

But here's the good news: we're actively developing the ability to run automatic placement from a layout file alone, without a schematic. Once that's ready, the schematic becomes optional rather than required (include it for more precise results, or skip it and still get automatic placement). We'll publish a proper OrCAD/Allegro guide to match.

Wrapping up

To sum up: Altium users can access MODI Factory today, with no extra licenses, via a single pass through KiCad. Once MODI Factory supports Altium directly, you won't even need this bridge. Until then, we've prepared this workaround so your valuable design assets stay fully usable.

If any questions come up, check out the MODI Factory FAQ page or reach out anytime.

👉 Start using MODI Factory for free today