Index: src_plugins/io_pads/read.c
===================================================================
--- src_plugins/io_pads/read.c	(revision 33767)
+++ src_plugins/io_pads/read.c	(revision 33768)
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <math.h>
 
+#include <genht/htsp.h>
+#include <genht/hash.h>
+#include <genht/ht_utils.h>
 #include <librnd/core/error.h>
 #include <librnd/core/safe_fs.h>
 #include <librnd/core/compat_misc.h>
@@ -51,6 +54,12 @@
 /* virtual layer ID for the non-existent board outline layer */
 #define PADS_LID_BOARD 257
 
+
+typedef struct pads_read_decal_s {
+	TODO("do we need swaps?")
+	char decal_name[1]; /* really as long as it needs to be */
+} pads_read_part_t;
+
 typedef struct pads_read_ctx_s {
 	pcb_board_t *pcb;
 	FILE *f;
@@ -58,6 +67,7 @@
 	double ver;
 	pcb_dlcr_t dlcr;
 	pcb_dlcr_layer_t *layer;
+	htsp_t parts;       /* translate part to partdecal and swaps; key=partname value=(pads_read_part_t *) */
 
 	/* location */
 	const char *fn;
@@ -287,6 +297,7 @@
 
 	pcb_dlcr_init(&rctx.dlcr);
 	rctx.dlcr.flip_y = 1;
+	htsp_init(&rctx.parts, strhash, strkeyeq);
 
 	/* read the header */
 	if (pads_parse_header(&rctx) != 0) {
@@ -301,6 +312,13 @@
 	pads_assign_layers(&rctx);
 	pcb_dlcr_create(pcb, &rctx.dlcr);
 	pcb_dlcr_uninit(&rctx.dlcr);
+
+	genht_uninit_deep(htsp, &rctx.parts, {
+		free(htent->key);
+		free(htent->value);
+	});
+
+
 	fclose(f);
 	return ret;
 }
Index: src_plugins/io_pads/read_high.c
===================================================================
--- src_plugins/io_pads/read_high.c	(revision 33767)
+++ src_plugins/io_pads/read_high.c	(revision 33768)
@@ -722,14 +722,15 @@
 
 static int pads_parse_part(pads_read_ctx_t *rctx)
 {
-	char refdes[64], ptype[64], glue[4], mirr[4];
+	pads_read_part_t *part;
+	char partname[64], decalname[64], glue[4], mirr[4];
 	long n, altdeclnum, clustid = -1, clsattr = 0, brotherid = -1, num_labels;
 	rnd_coord_t xo, yo;
 	double rot;
-	int res;
+	int dnl, res;
 
-	if ((res = pads_read_word(rctx, refdes, sizeof(refdes), 0)) <= 0) return res;
-	if ((res = pads_read_word(rctx, ptype, sizeof(ptype), 0)) <= 0) return res;
+	if ((res = pads_read_word(rctx, partname, sizeof(partname), 0)) <= 0) return res;
+	if ((res = pads_read_word(rctx, decalname, sizeof(decalname), 0)) <= 0) return res;
 	if ((res = pads_read_coord(rctx, &xo)) <= 0) return res;
 	if ((res = pads_read_coord(rctx, &yo)) <= 0) return res;
 	if ((res = pads_read_double(rctx, &rot)) <= 0) return res;
@@ -746,7 +747,18 @@
 
 	pads_eatup_till_nl(rctx);
 
-	rnd_trace("part: '%s' of '%s' num_labels=%ld\n", refdes, ptype, num_labels);
+	rnd_trace("part: '%s' of '%s' num_labels=%ld\n", partname, decalname, num_labels);
+	part = htsp_get(&rctx->parts, partname);
+	if (part != NULL) {
+		PADS_ERROR((RND_MSG_ERROR, "*PART* called '%s' is defined multiple times\n", partname));
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	dnl = strlen(decalname)+1;
+	part = calloc(sizeof(pads_read_part_t) + dnl, 1);
+	memcpy(part->decal_name, decalname, dnl);
+	htsp_set(&rctx->parts, rnd_strdup(partname), part);
+
 	for(n = 0; n < num_labels; n++)
 		if ((res = pads_parse_label(rctx, xo, yo)) <= 0) return res;
 	return 1;