PADS 5.2 PCB Import - Part not being recognized

Description

Note that this is the first issue we are reporting regarding a KiCad PCB import of a PADS v5.2 design. We're sure there are more. All of this being said because supporting this old a version of PADS might not be of interest? Please let us know and we'll stop creating issues (or continue creating them).

On another note, we can report that last night's build (Version: 10.0.0-rc1.1-421-gf166bd84b6, release build) allows importation of PADS 5.2 schematics with but one issue for us remaining (/kicad#23158).

This new issue is regarding parts being dropped from a PCB parts import. The expected import should be substantially similar to the exported parts view shown below. (These exports/imports are being limited to parts on the top layer to simplify the problem, but the bottom layer also has parts issues.)

image.png

This image shows the corresponding KiCad imported top layer parts missing J2, J4, U1-4...:

image.png

Steps to reproduce

  1. A file was exported from PADS with the following export sections/attributes:

attrib.jpg

Exported file:

partsandattr.asc

  1. This file was imported to KiCad: file->import->Non-KiCad... with Auto Matching Layers selected.

KiCad Version

Application: KiCad PCB Editor x64 on x64

Version: 10.0.0-rc1.1-421-gf166bd84b6, release build

Libraries:
	wxWidgets 3.3.2 
	FreeType 2.13.3
	HarfBuzz 12.3.0
	FontConfig 2.17.1
	libcurl/8.18.0 Schannel zlib/1.3.1

Platform: Windows 11 (build 26220), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
OpenGL: Intel, Intel(R) UHD Graphics 770, 4.6.0 - Build 32.0.101.7084

Build Info:
	Date: Feb 24 2026 06:59:14
	wxWidgets: 3.3.2 (wchar_t,STL containers)
	Boost: 1.90.0
	OCC: 7.9.2
	Curl: 8.18.0
	ngspice: 45.2
	Compiler: Visual C++ 1944 without C++ ABI
	KICAD_IPC_API=ON
	KICAD_USE_PCH=OFF

Locale: 
	Lang: en_US
	Enc: UTF-8
	Num: 1,234.5
	Encoded кΩ丈: D0BACEA9E4B888 (sys), D0BACEA9E4B888 (utf8)