PinmapGen is an actively developed toolchain that transforms Fusion 360 Electronics or EAGLE designs into firmware-ready pinmaps. The CLI and emitters are stable for CSV exports, while schematic parsing, Fusion automation, and expanded MCU support continue to evolve.
- ✅ Fusion ULP helpers –
PinmapGen.ulpguides designers through exporting netlists without leaving the workspace - ✅ CSV & schematic ingestion – CLI accepts Fusion CSV exports and EAGLE
.schfiles - ✅ Multiple output formats – MicroPython, Arduino, JSON, Markdown, and optional Mermaid artifacts
- ✅ MCU profile library – RP2040, STM32G0, and ESP32 normalization with validation warnings
- ✅ Comprehensive docs – User guide, troubleshooting, and workflows maintained under
docs/
PinmapGen is a Python 3.11 toolchain that converts Fusion 360 Electronics exports into consistent firmware assets. Designers run a ULP to package project metadata and netlists; firmware engineers use the CLI to normalize pins, validate assignments, and generate libraries for their target platform.
- Highlights
- Who is this for?
- Installation
- Quick starts
- Generated outputs
- Command-line workflow
- Fusion 360 add-in workflow
- MCU support
- Troubleshooting
- Project roadmap
- Contributing
- License
- ✅ Streamlined exports – Fusion ULP prompts for metadata, runs the netlist export, and launches the CLI
- ✅ MCU-aware validation – Detects conflicting pin assignments, special-function usage, and likely differential pairs
- ✅ Multiple entry points – Command-line automation plus Fusion workspace integration via ULP
- ✅ Automation friendly – VS Code tasks, a polling watcher, and pytest suite for regression coverage
- Extensible profiles – Add new MCUs by subclassing
MCUProfileand registering with the CLI
| Role | What you get | Key docs |
|---|---|---|
| PCB designer (Fusion) | Guided pinmap export directly from the Electronics workspace via ULP | Fusion ULP user guide |
| Firmware engineer | CLI for generating and validating pinmaps from CAD exports | Usage guide |
| Educator / Lab lead | Repeatable workflows, warnings, classroom-ready outputs | Team workflows |
git clone https://github.com/zcohen-nerd/PinmapGen.git
cd PinmapGenpython -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\activate # Windows
# source .venv/bin/activate # Linux/macOS
pip install -e .- Copy the production ULP to Fusion's ULP directory:
copy fusion_addin/PinmapGen.ulp "%APPDATA%\Autodesk\Autodesk Fusion 360\API\ULPs\"- In Fusion Electronics workspace: Automation → Run ULP → PinmapGen
PinmapGen_Manual.ulp is available when file dialogs are restricted or you prefer to launch the CLI manually.
# Generate pinmaps from a CSV netlist (RP2040)
python -m tools.pinmapgen.cli \
--csv hardware/exports/sample_netlist.csv \
--mcu rp2040 \
--mcu-ref U1 \
--out-root build/pinmaps
# Watch a directory for new exports
python -m tools.pinmapgen.watch hardware/exports --mermaid- Open your design in the Electronics workspace
- Click Automation → Run ULP → Working
- Configure project name, MCU reference, and output directory
- Click Generate Pinmaps to export netlist and create all output formats
- Files open automatically in Explorer for easy handoff to firmware team
The ULP orchestrates the same CLI workflow without requiring command-line knowledge. See the Fusion ULP user guide for detailed instructions and screenshots.
pinmaps/
└── pinmap.json # Canonical machine-readable pinmap
firmware/
├── include/pinmap_arduino.h # Arduino/PlatformIO header
├── micropython/pinmap_micropython.py
└── docs/
├── PINOUT.md # Human-readable pinout
└── pinout.mmd # Mermaid diagram source
Each file includes generation metadata and role annotations. See
docs/output-formats.md for details.
The CLI accepts either EAGLE .sch files or CSV exports from Fusion.
python -m tools.pinmapgen.cli [OPTIONS]
Required arguments:
--sch PATH | --csv PATH Input schematic or CSV export
--mcu {rp2040,stm32g0,esp32}
--mcu-ref TEXT Reference designator (e.g., U1)
Useful flags:
--out-root PATH Output directory (default: current dir)
--mermaid Emit Mermaid diagram
--verbose, -v Print normalization summaryAdditional examples, including STM32G0 and ESP32 workflows, are documented in
docs/usage.md.
The ULP (User Language Program) integrates PinmapGen directly into the Electronics workspace without requiring add-in installation. After copying the ULP file:
- Access via Automation → Run ULP → PinmapGen in the Electronics workspace
- Confirm project metadata, MCU reference designator, and output directory
- Trigger the export; the ULP invokes the CLI and streams warnings back into Fusion
- Open the generated folder for quick review or firmware handoff
Refer to the Fusion ULP user guide for step-by-step walkthroughs, troubleshooting, and handoff best practices.
| MCU | Highlights | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RP2040 | GPIO normalization, USB diff pair detection, ADC role hints | Reference implementation used in automated tests |
| STM32G0 | Port-based pin naming, alternate function validation, boot pin warnings | Modelled on STM32G071 reference design |
| ESP32 | GPIO matrix awareness, strapping pin warnings, ADC2 Wi-Fi guard rails | Based on ESP32-WROOM-32 module |
Adding new MCUs only requires implementing an MCUProfile subclass and
registering it in the CLI. See docs/extending.md for a
walkthrough.
Common issues and solutions are documented in docs/troubleshooting.md. Highlights:
- "MCU 'U1' not found" → Confirm the reference designator in your CAD
- "Input-only pin used as output" → Adjust assignment or choose another pin supported by the MCU profile
- "Cannot write output" → Pick a writable folder and close open files
- ULP not found → Re-copy
PinmapGen.ulpto%APPDATA%\Autodesk\Autodesk Fusion 360\API\ULPs\and restart Fusion 360
A milestone-driven roadmap is maintained in MILESTONES.md.
Current focus: Milestone 6 – Classroom / Team Readiness.
We welcome pull requests and issues. Start with the
CONTRIBUTING.md guide, then:
- Create a feature branch:
git checkout -b feature/my-update - Make changes and run the test suite:
pytest(orpython -m pytest) - Commit with conventional commits if possible
- Submit a pull request with context and screenshots when relevant
Pre-commit hooks and GitHub Actions will validate that generated pinmaps are up to date.
PinmapGen is released under the PinmapGen Community License with dual-licensing:
- Free for Non-Commercial Use - Personal projects, education, open source
- Commercial License Required - Business use, client work, commercial products
See LICENSE for complete terms and commercial licensing information.