EAGLE updated their upcoming features page for v6, October of last year they promised a XML format was coming, they’re still on track. For open-source hardware, having an open export format for all the CAD tools has been something we’ve wanted, needed and will celebrate!

XML database structure redesign
•Read, edit and parse the data outside of the EAGLE tool. The new XML database structure provides the ability to write scripts that manipulate designs in the EAGLE format which will give users huge productivity benefits. You can make design changes, import information from other designs, and even translate from other formats. This is the first CAD database format to use ASCII text as a format and could become a standard in the industry for communicating designs – making EAGLE the most flexible, user friendly and productive PCB tool on the market.

Read more, PDF and notes from the the co-founder and lead dev, Klaus Schmidinger.