Trace Footprints — AI Generation API

POST /api/generate/footprint proxies to POST /api/v3/components/generate/footprint. The backend runs a parametric IPC-7351B engine — it selects the land-pattern family and package dimensions from your description/datasheet, then computes and renders a .kicad_mod server-side (returning the IPC land-pattern name and a compliance report). The route validates input and maps the response to camelCase. Requires a bearer token and a plan that includes generation.

Request

string

required

Bearer <access_token>

string

required

5–5000 characters.

string

Optional package hint (e.g. QFN, SOIC).

string

Optional datasheet to ground generation.

Response — `GenerateFootprintResult`

boolean

string

From backend name.

string | null

Rendered .kicad_mod (backend kicad_mod).

number

From pad_count.

Array<{ number, type }>

Derived from trace_json.pads.

object

The structured payload (used for save).

…

Example

curl -X POST https://footprints.buildwithtrace.com/api/generate/footprint \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"description":"QFN-16 3x3mm 0.5mm pitch","package_type":"QFN"}'

import { generateFootprint } from "@/lib/api";
const { data, status } = await generateFootprint("QFN-16 3x3mm 0.5mm pitch", { package_type: "QFN" });
if (data.success) console.log(data.footprintName, data.padCount, data.kicadMod);

{ "success": true, "footprintName": "QFN-16_3x3mm_P0.5mm",
  "description": "QFN-16, 3x3mm, 0.5mm pitch", "kicadMod": "(footprint \"QFN-16…\" …)",
  "padCount": 16, "pads": [ { "number": "1", "type": "smd" } ],
  "traceJson": { /* … */ }, "source": "generated" }

Errors

Status	Meaning
`400`	Description too short/long
`401`	Missing/expired token
`402` / `403`	Plan/quota does not include generation
`502` / `500`	Backend / proxy error

AI-generated footprints are a starting point. Always verify pad geometry, courtyard, and spacing against the datasheet and your fab’s IPC rules before manufacturing.

After generating you can copy or download the .kicad_mod, or save it to the user’s account (pass type: "footprint").

Getting Started

Core Concepts

Guides

Generate Footprints

Request

Response — `GenerateFootprintResult`

Example

Errors

​Request

​Response — GenerateFootprintResult

​Example

​Errors

Request

Response — `GenerateFootprintResult`

Example

Errors