# Upload your design files

Quilter leverages your schematic, board, and project files to collaborate with you and design the ideal PCB layout.

### Upload your design files

Once you've created a new job, you'll be asked to upload your input files for Quilter to parse.

<figure><img src="/files/zy0FAnySUUALaIUpFJSm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Only upload .zip files for Xpedition**

Quilter does not currently support uploading .zip files or nested directories, except for Xpedition
{% endhint %}

### Supported input files

#### Board files

**Board files define fixed design parameters.** \
Every layout job needs a "starter" board file that Quilter uses as a starting point for design exploration. This file is a required input that locks in the parameters of your layout and sets the boundaries for Quilter's exploration.\
\
Once Quilter finishes your layout job, it returns all completed designs in the same file format in which it received them. After downloading your design, you can open it directly in your CAD tool for further review.

#### **Schematics**

**Quilter uses schematics to automatically detect physics constraints.** \
With your schematic, Quilter identifies key signals and physics constraints within your design.\
\
Schematics also provide more context on how parts on the same net are connected, which helps Quilter inform component placement for groups and physics constraints for components like bypass capacitors, crystals, and switching regulators.

#### **Project files**

**Project files offer extra details** \
Project files aren't required, but they give Quilter more context about your project, which helps it accurately process complex schematics, DRC rules, and other information. They also make sure your schematic and Quilter-generated board files stay in sync after downloading layout candidates.

### Previewing input files

Once you've successfully uploaded, you'll see the following:

* The results of file parsing, including any errors
* A preview of your input board file
* A summary of your job details, such as the number of components and pins for Quilter to route within your design

<figure><img src="/files/2GIPfzo3dziadxKMpMta" alt=""><figcaption><p>File preview page</p></figcaption></figure>

Once you're confident that Quilter has processed your design files correctly, you can proceed.

### Replacing input files

If you run into a blocking error and need to upload new design files, click the "Replace Files" button in the bottom navigation bar. You'll be asked to upload new design files, and you'll need to re-upload all design files at once - not just the ones you want to replace.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Replacing files keeps existing (valid) constraints intact**\
When you replace files, Quilter tries to keep all valid physics constraints from your previous design files. If you want Quilter to create new constraints for your updated design files, start with a new layout job from scratch.
{% endhint %}


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