diff --git a/common/richio.cpp b/common/richio.cpp
index d888aa0607..4780e2c040 100644
--- a/common/richio.cpp
+++ b/common/richio.cpp
@@ -167,8 +167,8 @@ FILE_LINE_READER::FILE_LINE_READER( const wxString& aFileName,
 
     if( !m_fp )
     {
-        wxString msg = wxString::Format(
-            _( "Unable to open filename \"%s\" for reading" ), aFileName.GetData() );
+        wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Unable to open %s for reading." ),
+                                         aFileName.GetData() );
         THROW_IO_ERROR( msg );
     }
 
@@ -195,6 +195,22 @@ FILE_LINE_READER::~FILE_LINE_READER()
 }
 
 
+long int FILE_LINE_READER::FileLength()
+{
+    fseek( m_fp, 0, SEEK_END );
+    long int fileLength = ftell( m_fp );
+    rewind( m_fp );
+
+    return fileLength;
+}
+
+
+long int FILE_LINE_READER::CurPos()
+{
+    return ftell( m_fp );
+}
+
+
 char* FILE_LINE_READER::ReadLine()
 {
     m_length = 0;
diff --git a/common/single_top.cpp b/common/single_top.cpp
index 30da289073..4cf00b8514 100644
--- a/common/single_top.cpp
+++ b/common/single_top.cpp
@@ -369,14 +369,6 @@ bool PGM_SINGLE_TOP::OnPgmInit()
     App().SetTopWindow( frame );      // wxApp gets a face.
     App().SetAppDisplayName( frame->GetAboutTitle() );
 
-    // Allocate a slice of time to show the frame and update wxWidgets widgets
-    // (especially setting valid sizes) after creating frame and before calling
-    // OpenProjectFiles() that can update/use some widgets.
-    // The 2 calls to wxSafeYield are needed on wxGTK for best results.
-    wxSafeYield();
-    frame->Show();
-    wxSafeYield();
-
     // Individual frames may provide additional option/switch processing, but for compatibility,
     // any positional arguments are treated as a list of files to pass to OpenProjectFiles
     frame->ParseArgs( parser );
diff --git a/eeschema/files-io.cpp b/eeschema/files-io.cpp
index 81ebd3201e..e31e932854 100644
--- a/eeschema/files-io.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/files-io.cpp
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
 #include <tools/ee_inspection_tool.h>
 #include <paths.h>
 #include <wx_filename.h>  // For ::ResolvePossibleSymlinks
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 bool SCH_EDIT_FRAME::SaveEEFile( SCH_SHEET* aSheet, bool aSaveUnderNewName )
 {
@@ -400,6 +401,9 @@ bool SCH_EDIT_FRAME::OpenProjectFiles( const std::vector<wxString>& aFileSet, in
         SCH_PLUGIN* plugin = SCH_IO_MGR::FindPlugin( schFileType );
         SCH_PLUGIN::SCH_PLUGIN_RELEASER pi( plugin );
 
+        WX_PROGRESS_REPORTER progressReporter( this, _( "Loading Schematic" ), 1 );
+        pi->SetProgressReporter( &progressReporter );
+
         bool failedLoad = false;
         try
         {
@@ -1117,20 +1121,19 @@ bool SCH_EDIT_FRAME::importFile( const wxString& aFileName, int aFileType )
         try
         {
             SCH_PLUGIN::SCH_PLUGIN_RELEASER pi( SCH_IO_MGR::FindPlugin( fileType ) );
-            DIALOG_HTML_REPORTER*           reporter = new DIALOG_HTML_REPORTER( this );
+            DIALOG_HTML_REPORTER            errorReporter( this );
+            WX_PROGRESS_REPORTER            progressReporter( this, _( "Importing Schematic" ), 1 );
 
-            pi->SetReporter( reporter->m_Reporter );
+            pi->SetReporter( errorReporter.m_Reporter );
+            pi->SetProgressReporter( &progressReporter );
             Schematic().SetRoot( pi->Load( aFileName, &Schematic() ) );
 
-            if( reporter->m_Reporter->HasMessage() )
+            if( errorReporter.m_Reporter->HasMessage() )
             {
-                reporter->m_Reporter->Flush();  // Build HTML messages
-                reporter->ShowModal();
+                errorReporter.m_Reporter->Flush();  // Build HTML messages
+                errorReporter.ShowModal();
             }
 
-            pi->SetReporter( &WXLOG_REPORTER::GetInstance() );
-            delete reporter;
-
             // Non-KiCad schematics do not use a drawing-sheet (or if they do, it works differently
             // to KiCad), so set it to an empty one
             DS_DATA_MODEL& drawingSheet = DS_DATA_MODEL::GetTheInstance();
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_io_mgr.h b/eeschema/sch_io_mgr.h
index 7748c83f85..ab0033ace1 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_io_mgr.h
+++ b/eeschema/sch_io_mgr.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class KIWAY;
 class LIB_SYMBOL;
 class SYMBOL_LIB;
 class PROPERTIES;
+class PROGRESS_REPORTER;
 
 
 /**
@@ -164,6 +165,11 @@ public:
      */
     virtual void SetReporter( REPORTER* aReporter ) {}
 
+    /**
+     * Set an optional progress reporter.
+     */
+    virtual void SetProgressReporter( PROGRESS_REPORTER* aReporter ) {}
+
     /**
      * Return the file extension for the #SCH_PLUGIN.
      */
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.cpp b/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.cpp
index f940f7faf2..bbebd4f372 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 #include <wx/tokenzr.h>
 #include <wx/wfstream.h>
 #include <wx/xml/xml.h>
+#include <wx/msgdlg.h>
 
 #include <symbol_library.h>
 #include <plugins/eagle/eagle_parser.h>
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@
 #include <schematic.h>
 #include <symbol_lib_table.h>
 #include <wildcards_and_files_ext.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 
 // Eagle schematic axes are aligned with x increasing left to right and Y increasing bottom to top
@@ -351,7 +353,11 @@ static void eagleToKicadAlignment( EDA_TEXT* aText, int aEagleAlignment, int aRe
 }
 
 
-SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN()
+SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN() :
+    m_progressReporter( nullptr ),
+    m_doneCount( 0 ),
+    m_lastProgressCount( 0 ),
+    m_totalCount( 0 )
 {
     m_rootSheet    = nullptr;
     m_currentSheet = nullptr;
@@ -390,6 +396,25 @@ int SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::GetModifyHash() const
 }
 
 
+void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::checkpoint()
+{
+    const unsigned PROGRESS_DELTA = 5;
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        if( ++m_doneCount > m_lastProgressCount + PROGRESS_DELTA )
+        {
+            m_progressReporter->SetCurrentProgress(( (double) m_doneCount ) / m_totalCount );
+
+            if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+            m_lastProgressCount = m_doneCount;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 SCH_SHEET* SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, SCHEMATIC* aSchematic,
                                    SCH_SHEET* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties )
 {
@@ -399,13 +424,21 @@ SCH_SHEET* SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, SCHEMATIC* aSchema
     m_filename = aFileName;
     m_schematic = aSchematic;
 
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        m_progressReporter->Report( wxString::Format( _( "Loading %s..." ), aFileName ) );
+
+        if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+            THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+    }
+
     // Load the document
     wxXmlDocument xmlDocument;
     wxFFileInputStream stream( m_filename.GetFullPath() );
 
     if( !stream.IsOk() || !xmlDocument.Load( stream ) )
     {
-        THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Unable to read file \"%s\"" ),
+        THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Unable to read file '%s'." ),
                                           m_filename.GetFullPath() ) );
     }
 
@@ -562,8 +595,68 @@ void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadSchematic( wxXmlNode* aSchematicNode )
     if( !sheetNode )
         return;
 
+    auto count_nodes = []( wxXmlNode* aNode ) -> unsigned
+            {
+                unsigned count = 0;
+
+                while( aNode )
+                {
+                    count++;
+                    aNode = aNode->GetNext();
+                }
+
+                return count;
+            };
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        m_totalCount = 0;
+        m_doneCount = 0;
+
+        m_totalCount += count_nodes( partNode );
+
+        while( libraryNode )
+        {
+            NODE_MAP libraryChildren = MapChildren( libraryNode );
+            wxXmlNode* devicesetNode = getChildrenNodes( libraryChildren, "devicesets" );
+
+            while( devicesetNode )
+            {
+                NODE_MAP deviceSetChildren = MapChildren( devicesetNode );
+                wxXmlNode* deviceNode = getChildrenNodes( deviceSetChildren, "devices" );
+                wxXmlNode* gateNode = getChildrenNodes( deviceSetChildren, "gates" );
+
+                m_totalCount += count_nodes( deviceNode ) * count_nodes( gateNode );
+
+                devicesetNode = devicesetNode->GetNext();
+            }
+
+            libraryNode = libraryNode->GetNext();
+        }
+
+        // Rewind
+        libraryNode = getChildrenNodes( schematicChildren, "libraries" );
+
+        while( sheetNode )
+        {
+            NODE_MAP sheetChildren = MapChildren( sheetNode );
+
+            m_totalCount += count_nodes( getChildrenNodes( sheetChildren, "instances" ) );
+            m_totalCount += count_nodes( getChildrenNodes( sheetChildren, "busses" ) );
+            m_totalCount += count_nodes( getChildrenNodes( sheetChildren, "nets" ) );
+            m_totalCount += count_nodes( getChildrenNodes( sheetChildren, "plain" ) );
+
+            sheetNode = sheetNode->GetNext();
+        }
+
+        // Rewind
+        sheetNode = getChildrenNodes( schematicChildren, "sheets" );
+    }
+
     while( partNode )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         std::unique_ptr<EPART> epart = std::make_unique<EPART>( partNode );
 
         // N.B. Eagle parts are case-insensitive in matching but we keep the display case
@@ -585,7 +678,6 @@ void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadSchematic( wxXmlNode* aSchematicNode )
 
             libraryNode = libraryNode->GetNext();
         }
-
         m_pi->SaveLibrary( getLibFileName().GetFullPath() );
     }
 
@@ -734,6 +826,8 @@ void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadSheet( wxXmlNode* aSheetNode, int aSheetIndex )
 
     while( instanceNode )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         loadInstance( instanceNode );
         instanceNode = instanceNode->GetNext();
     }
@@ -746,6 +840,8 @@ void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadSheet( wxXmlNode* aSheetNode, int aSheetIndex )
 
     while( busNode )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         // Get the bus name
         wxString busName = translateEagleBusName( busNode->GetAttribute( "name" ) );
 
@@ -762,6 +858,8 @@ void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadSheet( wxXmlNode* aSheetNode, int aSheetIndex )
 
     while( netNode )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         // Get the net name and class
         wxString netName  = netNode->GetAttribute( "name" );
         wxString netClass = netNode->GetAttribute( "class" );
@@ -792,6 +890,8 @@ void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadSheet( wxXmlNode* aSheetNode, int aSheetIndex )
 
     while( plainNode )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         wxString nodeName = plainNode->GetName();
 
         if( nodeName == "text" )
@@ -1371,8 +1471,8 @@ void SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadInstance( wxXmlNode* aInstanceNode )
 }
 
 
-EAGLE_LIBRARY* SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLibrary(
-        wxXmlNode* aLibraryNode, EAGLE_LIBRARY* aEagleLibrary )
+EAGLE_LIBRARY* SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLibrary( wxXmlNode* aLibraryNode,
+                                              EAGLE_LIBRARY* aEagleLibrary )
 {
     NODE_MAP libraryChildren = MapChildren( aLibraryNode );
 
@@ -1396,8 +1496,8 @@ EAGLE_LIBRARY* SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLibrary(
 
         wxString prefix = edeviceset.prefix ? edeviceset.prefix.Get() : "";
 
-        NODE_MAP   aDeviceSetChildren = MapChildren( devicesetNode );
-        wxXmlNode* deviceNode         = getChildrenNodes( aDeviceSetChildren, "devices" );
+        NODE_MAP   deviceSetChildren = MapChildren( devicesetNode );
+        wxXmlNode* deviceNode        = getChildrenNodes( deviceSetChildren, "devices" );
 
         // For each device in the device set:
         while( deviceNode )
@@ -1418,8 +1518,8 @@ EAGLE_LIBRARY* SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLibrary(
             unique_ptr<LIB_SYMBOL> kpart( new LIB_SYMBOL( symbolName ) );
 
             // Process each gate in the deviceset for this device.
-            wxXmlNode* gateNode    = getChildrenNodes( aDeviceSetChildren, "gates" );
-            int        gates_count = countChildren( aDeviceSetChildren["gates"], "gate" );
+            wxXmlNode* gateNode    = getChildrenNodes( deviceSetChildren, "gates" );
+            int        gates_count = countChildren( deviceSetChildren["gates"], "gate" );
             kpart->SetUnitCount( gates_count );
             kpart->LockUnits( true );
 
@@ -1437,10 +1537,11 @@ EAGLE_LIBRARY* SCH_EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLibrary(
 
             while( gateNode )
             {
+                checkpoint();
+
                 EGATE egate = EGATE( gateNode );
 
                 aEagleLibrary->GateUnit[edeviceset.name + edevice.name + egate.name] = gateindex;
-
                 ispower = loadSymbol( aEagleLibrary->SymbolNodes[egate.symbol], kpart, &edevice,
                         gateindex, egate.name );
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.h b/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.h
index a56ece093e..5953d90065 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.h
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/eagle/sch_eagle_plugin.h
@@ -87,6 +87,11 @@ public:
 
     void SetReporter( REPORTER* aReporter ) override { m_reporter = aReporter; }
 
+    void SetProgressReporter( PROGRESS_REPORTER* aReporter ) override
+    {
+        m_progressReporter = aReporter;
+    }
+
     const wxString GetFileExtension() const override;
 
     const wxString GetLibraryFileExtension() const override;
@@ -99,8 +104,9 @@ public:
 
     bool CheckHeader( const wxString& aFileName ) override;
 
-
 private:
+    void checkpoint();
+
     void loadDrawing( wxXmlNode* aDrawingNode );
     void loadLayerDefs( wxXmlNode* aLayers );
     void loadSchematic( wxXmlNode* aSchematicNode );
@@ -120,15 +126,15 @@ private:
     SCH_LAYER_ID kiCadLayer( int aEagleLayer );
 
     std::pair<VECTOR2I, const SEG*> findNearestLinePoint( const wxPoint& aPoint,
-            const std::vector<SEG>& aLines ) const;
+                                                          const std::vector<SEG>& aLines ) const;
 
-    void                loadSegments( wxXmlNode* aSegmentsNode, const wxString& aNetName,
-                                      const wxString& aNetClass );
-    SCH_LINE*           loadWire( wxXmlNode* aWireNode );
-    SCH_TEXT*           loadLabel( wxXmlNode* aLabelNode, const wxString& aNetName );
-    SCH_JUNCTION*       loadJunction( wxXmlNode* aJunction );
-    SCH_TEXT*           loadPlainText( wxXmlNode* aSchText );
-    void                loadFrame( wxXmlNode* aFrameNode, std::vector<SCH_LINE*>& aLines );
+    void            loadSegments( wxXmlNode* aSegmentsNode, const wxString& aNetName,
+                                  const wxString& aNetClass );
+    SCH_LINE*       loadWire( wxXmlNode* aWireNode );
+    SCH_TEXT*       loadLabel( wxXmlNode* aLabelNode, const wxString& aNetName );
+    SCH_JUNCTION*   loadJunction( wxXmlNode* aJunction );
+    SCH_TEXT*       loadPlainText( wxXmlNode* aSchText );
+    void            loadFrame( wxXmlNode* aFrameNode, std::vector<SCH_LINE*>& aLines );
 
     bool            loadSymbol( wxXmlNode* aSymbolNode, std::unique_ptr<LIB_SYMBOL>& aSymbol,
                                 EDEVICE* aDevice, int aGateNumber, const wxString& aGateName );
@@ -228,8 +234,13 @@ private:
     EPART_MAP                         m_partlist;
     std::map<wxString, EAGLE_LIBRARY> m_eagleLibs;
 
-    SCH_PLUGIN::SCH_PLUGIN_RELEASER   m_pi;         ///< Plugin to create the KiCad symbol library.
-    std::unique_ptr< PROPERTIES >     m_properties; ///< Library plugin properties.
+    SCH_PLUGIN::SCH_PLUGIN_RELEASER   m_pi;                ///< PI to create KiCad symbol library.
+    std::unique_ptr< PROPERTIES >     m_properties;        ///< Library plugin properties.
+
+    PROGRESS_REPORTER*                m_progressReporter;  ///< optional; may be nullptr
+    unsigned                          m_doneCount;
+    unsigned                          m_lastProgressCount;
+    unsigned                          m_totalCount;        ///< for progress reporting
 
     std::map<wxString, int>           m_netCounts;
     std::map<int, SCH_LAYER_ID>       m_layerMap;
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp
index 36cb960048..e6dc47a714 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp
@@ -55,21 +55,48 @@
 #include <sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.h>
 #include <template_fieldnames.h>
 #include <trigo.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 
 using namespace TSCHEMATIC_T;
 
 
-SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::SCH_SEXPR_PARSER( LINE_READER* aLineReader ) :
+SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::SCH_SEXPR_PARSER( LINE_READER* aLineReader, PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter,
+                                    unsigned aLineCount ) :
     SCHEMATIC_LEXER( aLineReader ),
     m_requiredVersion( 0 ),
     m_fieldId( 0 ),
     m_unit( 1 ),
-    m_convert( 1 )
+    m_convert( 1 ),
+    m_progressReporter( aProgressReporter ),
+    m_lineReader( aLineReader ),
+    m_lastProgressLine( 0 ),
+    m_lineCount( aLineCount )
 {
 }
 
 
+void SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::checkpoint()
+{
+    const unsigned PROGRESS_DELTA = 250;
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        unsigned curLine = m_lineReader->LineNumber();
+
+        if( curLine > m_lastProgressLine + PROGRESS_DELTA )
+        {
+            m_progressReporter->SetCurrentProgress( ( (double) curLine ) / m_lineCount );
+
+            if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+            m_lastProgressLine = curLine;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 bool SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::parseBool()
 {
     T token = NextTok();
@@ -2090,6 +2117,8 @@ void SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::ParseSchematic( SCH_SHEET* aSheet, bool aIsCopyableOnly,
 
         token = NextTok();
 
+        checkpoint();
+
         if( !aIsCopyableOnly && token == T_page && m_requiredVersion <= 20200506 )
             token = T_paper;
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.h b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.h
index 048def9e64..dac41e65d4 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.h
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.h
@@ -84,6 +84,13 @@ class SCH_SEXPR_PARSER : public SCHEMATIC_LEXER
     int m_convert;          ///< The current body style being parsed.
     wxString m_symbolName;  ///< The current symbol name.
 
+    PROGRESS_REPORTER* m_progressReporter;  // optional; may be nullptr
+    const LINE_READER* m_lineReader;        // for progress reporting
+    unsigned           m_lastProgressLine;
+    unsigned           m_lineCount;         // for progress reporting
+
+    void checkpoint();
+
     void parseHeader( TSCHEMATIC_T::T aHeaderType, int aFileVersion );
 
     inline long parseHex()
@@ -184,7 +191,8 @@ class SCH_SEXPR_PARSER : public SCHEMATIC_LEXER
     void parseBusAlias( SCH_SCREEN* aScreen );
 
 public:
-    SCH_SEXPR_PARSER( LINE_READER* aLineReader = nullptr );
+    SCH_SEXPR_PARSER( LINE_READER* aLineReader = nullptr,
+                      PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr, unsigned aLineCount = 0 );
 
     void ParseLib( LIB_SYMBOL_MAP& aSymbolLibMap );
 
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.cpp b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.cpp
index 0dbdc0236d..1d81059677 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.cpp
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
 #include <ee_selection.h>
 #include <kicad_string.h>
 #include <wx_filename.h>       // for ::ResolvePossibleSymlinks()
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 
 using namespace TSCHEMATIC_T;
@@ -365,7 +366,8 @@ public:
 };
 
 
-SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN::SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN()
+SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN::SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN() :
+    m_progressReporter( nullptr )
 {
     init( NULL );
 }
@@ -387,6 +389,7 @@ void SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN::init( SCHEMATIC* aSchematic, const PROPERTIES* aPropertie
     m_nextFreeFieldId = 100; // number arbitrarily > MANDATORY_FIELDS or SHEET_MANDATORY_FIELDS
 }
 
+
 SCH_SHEET* SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, SCHEMATIC* aSchematic,
                                    SCH_SHEET* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties )
 {
@@ -518,10 +521,10 @@ void SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN::loadHierarchy( SCH_SHEET* aSheet )
 
             // This was moved out of the try{} block so that any sheets definitionsthat
             // the plugin fully parsed before the exception was raised will be loaded.
-            for( auto aItem : aSheet->GetScreen()->Items().OfType( SCH_SHEET_T ) )
+            for( SCH_ITEM* aItem : aSheet->GetScreen()->Items().OfType( SCH_SHEET_T ) )
             {
                 wxCHECK2( aItem->Type() == SCH_SHEET_T, /* do nothing */ );
-                auto sheet = static_cast<SCH_SHEET*>( aItem );
+                SCH_SHEET* sheet = static_cast<SCH_SHEET*>( aItem );
 
                 // Recursion starts here.
                 loadHierarchy( sheet );
@@ -538,7 +541,22 @@ void SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN::loadFile( const wxString& aFileName, SCH_SHEET* aSheet )
 {
     FILE_LINE_READER reader( aFileName );
 
-    SCH_SEXPR_PARSER parser( &reader );
+    size_t lineCount = 0;
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        m_progressReporter->Report( wxString::Format( _( "Loading %s..." ), aFileName ) );
+
+        if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+            THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+        while( reader.ReadLine() )
+            lineCount++;
+
+        reader.Rewind();
+    }
+
+    SCH_SEXPR_PARSER parser( &reader, m_progressReporter, lineCount );
 
     parser.ParseSchematic( aSheet );
 }
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.h b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.h
index 90ee4714bc..3506d86724 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.h
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_plugin.h
@@ -79,6 +79,11 @@ public:
         return wxT( "kicad_sym" );
     }
 
+    void SetProgressReporter( PROGRESS_REPORTER* aReporter ) override
+    {
+        m_progressReporter = aReporter;
+    }
+
     /**
      * The property used internally by the plugin to enable cache buffering which prevents
      * the library file from being written every time the cache is changed.  This is useful
@@ -152,16 +157,18 @@ private:
     bool isBuffering( const PROPERTIES* aProperties );
 
 protected:
-    int                  m_version;    ///< Version of file being loaded.
-    int                  m_nextFreeFieldId;
+    int                     m_version;          ///< Version of file being loaded.
+    int                     m_nextFreeFieldId;
 
-    wxString             m_error;      ///< For throwing exceptions or errors on partial loads.
+    wxString                m_error;            ///< For throwing exceptions or errors on partial
+                                                ///<  loads.
+    PROGRESS_REPORTER*      m_progressReporter;
 
-    wxString             m_path;       ///< Root project path for loading child sheets.
-    std::stack<wxString> m_currentPath;///< Stack to maintain nested sheet paths
-    SCH_SHEET*           m_rootSheet;  ///< The root sheet of the schematic being loaded..
-    SCHEMATIC*           m_schematic;  ///< Passed to Load(), the schematic object being loaded
-    OUTPUTFORMATTER*     m_out;        ///< The output formatter for saving SCH_SCREEN objects.
+    wxString                m_path;             ///< Root project path for loading child sheets.
+    std::stack<wxString>    m_currentPath;      ///< Stack to maintain nested sheet paths
+    SCH_SHEET*              m_rootSheet;        ///< The root sheet of the schematic being loaded.
+    SCHEMATIC*              m_schematic;
+    OUTPUTFORMATTER*        m_out;              ///< The formatter for saving SCH_SCREEN objects.
     SCH_SEXPR_PLUGIN_CACHE* m_cache;
 
     /// initialize PLUGIN like a constructor would.
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp b/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp
index 6315c0f164..198543210c 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@
 #include <properties.h>
 #include <trace_helpers.h>
 #include <trigo.h>
+#include <confirm.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
+#include <wx_filename.h>       // For ::ResolvePossibleSymlinks()
 
 #include <general.h>
 #include <sch_bitmap.h>
@@ -70,10 +73,8 @@
 #include <lib_text.h>
 #include <eeschema_id.h>       // for MAX_UNIT_COUNT_PER_PACKAGE definition
 #include <symbol_lib_table.h>  // for PropPowerSymsOnly definition.
-#include <confirm.h>
 #include <tool/selection.h>
 #include <default_values.h>    // For some default values
-#include <wx_filename.h>       // For ::ResolvePossibleSymlinks()
 
 
 #define Mils2Iu( x ) Mils2iu( x )
@@ -582,7 +583,11 @@ public:
 };
 
 
-SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN()
+SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN() :
+    m_progressReporter( nullptr ),
+    m_lineReader( nullptr ),
+    m_lastProgressLine( 0 ),
+    m_lineCount( 0 )
 {
     init( NULL );
 }
@@ -604,6 +609,27 @@ void SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::init( SCHEMATIC* aSchematic, const PROPERTIES* aProperti
 }
 
 
+void SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::checkpoint()
+{
+    const unsigned PROGRESS_DELTA = 250;
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        unsigned curLine = m_lineReader->LineNumber();
+
+        if( curLine > m_lastProgressLine + PROGRESS_DELTA )
+        {
+            m_progressReporter->SetCurrentProgress( ( (double) curLine ) / m_lineCount );
+
+            if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+            m_lastProgressLine = curLine;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 SCH_SHEET* SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, SCHEMATIC* aSchematic,
                                     SCH_SHEET* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties )
 {
@@ -753,6 +779,22 @@ void SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadFile( const wxString& aFileName, SCH_SCREEN* aScreen
 {
     FILE_LINE_READER reader( aFileName );
 
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        m_progressReporter->Report( wxString::Format( _( "Loading %s..." ), aFileName ) );
+
+        if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+            THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+        m_lineReader = &reader;
+        m_lineCount = 0;
+
+        while( reader.ReadLine() )
+            m_lineCount++;
+
+        reader.Rewind();
+    }
+
     loadHeader( reader, aScreen );
 
     LoadContent( reader, aScreen, m_version );
@@ -782,6 +824,8 @@ void SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::LoadContent( LINE_READER& aReader, SCH_SCREEN* aScreen,
 
     while( aReader.ReadLine() )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         char* line = aReader.Line();
 
         while( *line == ' ' )
@@ -842,6 +886,8 @@ void SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadHeader( LINE_READER& aReader, SCH_SCREEN* aScreen )
     // Skip all lines until the end of header "EELAYER END" is found
     while( aReader.ReadLine() )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         line = aReader.Line();
 
         while( *line == ' ' )
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.h b/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.h
index d35c608419..8a4b2a62ef 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.h
+++ b/eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.h
@@ -82,6 +82,11 @@ public:
         return wxT( "lib" );
     }
 
+    void SetProgressReporter( PROGRESS_REPORTER* aReporter ) override
+    {
+        m_progressReporter = aReporter;
+    }
+
     /**
      * The property used internally by the plugin to enable cache buffering which prevents
      * the library file from being written every time the cache is changed.  This is useful
@@ -140,6 +145,7 @@ public:
     static void FormatPart( LIB_SYMBOL* aSymbol, OUTPUTFORMATTER& aFormatter );
 
 private:
+    void checkpoint();
     void loadHierarchy( SCH_SHEET* aSheet );
     void loadHeader( LINE_READER& aReader, SCH_SCREEN* aScreen );
     void loadPageSettings( LINE_READER& aReader, SCH_SCREEN* aScreen );
@@ -170,17 +176,21 @@ private:
     bool isBuffering( const PROPERTIES* aProperties );
 
 protected:
-    int                  m_version;    ///< Version of file being loaded.
+    int                      m_version;          ///< Version of file being loaded.
 
-    /** For throwing exceptions or errors on partial schematic loads. */
-    wxString             m_error;
+    wxString                 m_error;            ///< For throwing exceptions or errors on partial
+                                                 ///<  schematic loads.
+    PROGRESS_REPORTER*       m_progressReporter; ///< optional; may be nullptr
+    LINE_READER*             m_lineReader;       ///< for progress reporting
+    unsigned                 m_lastProgressLine;
+    unsigned                 m_lineCount;        ///< for progress reporting
 
-    wxString             m_path;       ///< Root project path for loading child sheets.
-    std::stack<wxString> m_currentPath;///< Stack to maintain nested sheet paths
-    SCH_SHEET*           m_rootSheet;  ///< The root sheet of the schematic being loaded..
-    OUTPUTFORMATTER*     m_out;        ///< The output formatter for saving SCH_SCREEN objects.
+    wxString                 m_path;             ///< Root project path for loading child sheets.
+    std::stack<wxString>     m_currentPath;      ///< Stack to maintain nested sheet paths
+    SCH_SHEET*               m_rootSheet;        ///< The root sheet of the schematic being loaded.
+    OUTPUTFORMATTER*         m_out;              ///< The formatter for saving SCH_SCREEN objects.
     SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN_CACHE* m_cache;
-    SCHEMATIC*          m_schematic;   ///< Passed to Load(), the schematic object being loaded
+    SCHEMATIC*               m_schematic;
 
     /// initialize PLUGIN like a constructor would.
     void init( SCHEMATIC* aSchematic, const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr );
diff --git a/eeschema/symbol_async_loader.cpp b/eeschema/symbol_async_loader.cpp
index d0e4fa0347..f8c5360cbf 100644
--- a/eeschema/symbol_async_loader.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/symbol_async_loader.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ std::vector<SYMBOL_ASYNC_LOADER::LOADED_PAIR> SYMBOL_ASYNC_LOADER::worker()
         }
 
         if( m_reporter )
-            m_reporter->AdvancePhase( wxString::Format( _( "Loading library \"%s\"" ), nickname ) );
+            m_reporter->AdvancePhase( wxString::Format( _( "Loading library %s..." ), nickname ) );
     }
 
     return ret;
diff --git a/include/richio.h b/include/richio.h
index 0b207a2de2..cb1d0a7c36 100644
--- a/include/richio.h
+++ b/include/richio.h
@@ -225,6 +225,9 @@ public:
         m_lineNum = 0;
     }
 
+    long int FileLength();
+    long int CurPos();
+
 protected:
     bool    m_iOwn; ///< if I own the file, I'll promise to close it, else not.
     FILE*   m_fp;   ///< I may own this file, but might not.
diff --git a/kicad/tools/kicad_manager_control.cpp b/kicad/tools/kicad_manager_control.cpp
index bf8eb9f2c9..b58836a856 100644
--- a/kicad/tools/kicad_manager_control.cpp
+++ b/kicad/tools/kicad_manager_control.cpp
@@ -665,18 +665,13 @@ int KICAD_MANAGER_CONTROL::ShowPlayer( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
                 filepath = legacy_board.GetFullPath();
         }
 
-        // Show the frame (and update widgets to set valid sizes),
-        // after creating player and before calling OpenProjectFiles().
-        // Useful because loading a complex board and building its internal data can be
-        // time consuming
-        player->Show( true );
-        wxSafeYield();
-
         if( !filepath.IsEmpty() )
         {
             if( !player->OpenProjectFiles( std::vector<wxString>( 1, filepath ) ) )
                 return -1;
         }
+
+        player->Show( true );
     }
 
     // Needed on Windows, other platforms do not use it, but it creates no issue
diff --git a/pcbnew/dialogs/dialog_board_setup.cpp b/pcbnew/dialogs/dialog_board_setup.cpp
index 690cbebd67..0fb0a4eb96 100644
--- a/pcbnew/dialogs/dialog_board_setup.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/dialogs/dialog_board_setup.cpp
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 #include <settings/settings_manager.h>
 #include <widgets/infobar.h>
 #include <widgets/resettable_panel.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 #include <wildcards_and_files_ext.h>
 
 #include "dialog_board_setup.h"
@@ -192,7 +193,10 @@ void DIALOG_BOARD_SETUP::OnAuxiliaryAction( wxCommandEvent& event )
 
     try
     {
-        otherBoard = pi->Load( boardFn.GetFullPath(), nullptr, nullptr );
+        WX_PROGRESS_REPORTER progressReporter( this, _( "Loading PCB" ), 1 );
+
+        otherBoard = pi->Load( boardFn.GetFullPath(), nullptr, nullptr, nullptr,
+                               &progressReporter );
 
         if( importDlg.m_LayersOpt->GetValue() )
         {
diff --git a/pcbnew/dialogs/panel_pcbnew_color_settings.cpp b/pcbnew/dialogs/panel_pcbnew_color_settings.cpp
index b297d8a254..de5a5ae34e 100644
--- a/pcbnew/dialogs/panel_pcbnew_color_settings.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/dialogs/panel_pcbnew_color_settings.cpp
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ void PANEL_PCBNEW_COLOR_SETTINGS::createPreviewItems()
 
     try
     {
-        pi.DoLoad( reader, m_preview->GetBoard(), nullptr );
+        pi.DoLoad( reader, m_preview->GetBoard(), nullptr, nullptr, 0 );
     }
     catch( const IO_ERROR& )
     {
diff --git a/pcbnew/files.cpp b/pcbnew/files.cpp
index ecf603f7e3..d08a80e24b 100644
--- a/pcbnew/files.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/files.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 
 #include <confirm.h>
 #include <core/arraydim.h>
-#include <kicad_string.h>
 #include <gestfich.h>
 #include <pcb_edit_frame.h>
 #include <board_design_settings.h>
@@ -48,6 +47,7 @@
 #include <kiplatform/app.h>
 #include <widgets/appearance_controls.h>
 #include <widgets/infobar.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 #include <settings/settings_manager.h>
 #include <paths.h>
 #include <project/project_file.h>
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@
 #include <plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.h>
 #include <plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.h>
 #include <dialogs/dialog_imported_layers.h>
-#include <tool/tool_manager.h>
 #include <tools/pcb_actions.h>
 #include "footprint_info_impl.h"
 #include <wx_filename.h>  // For ::ResolvePossibleSymlinks()
@@ -691,12 +690,13 @@ bool PCB_EDIT_FRAME::OpenProjectFiles( const std::vector<wxString>& aFileSet, in
             props["page_width"]  = xbuf;
             props["page_height"] = ybuf;
 
+            WX_PROGRESS_REPORTER progressReporter( this, _( "Loading PCB" ), 1 );
 #if USE_INSTRUMENTATION
             // measure the time to load a BOARD.
             unsigned startTime = GetRunningMicroSecs();
 #endif
 
-            loadedBoard = pi->Load( fullFileName, NULL, &props, &Prj() );
+            loadedBoard = pi->Load( fullFileName, NULL, &props, &Prj(), &progressReporter );
 
 #if USE_INSTRUMENTATION
             unsigned stopTime = GetRunningMicroSecs();
diff --git a/pcbnew/io_mgr.cpp b/pcbnew/io_mgr.cpp
index 611730b557..4519457f8f 100644
--- a/pcbnew/io_mgr.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/io_mgr.cpp
@@ -156,14 +156,15 @@ IO_MGR::PCB_FILE_T IO_MGR::GuessPluginTypeFromLibPath( const wxString& aLibPath
 
 
 BOARD* IO_MGR::Load( PCB_FILE_T aFileType, const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                     const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                     const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                     PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     // release the PLUGIN even if an exception is thrown.
     PLUGIN::RELEASER pi( PluginFind( aFileType ) );
 
     if( (PLUGIN*) pi )  // test pi->plugin
     {
-        return pi->Load( aFileName, aAppendToMe, aProperties, aProject );  // virtual
+        return pi->Load( aFileName, aAppendToMe, aProperties, aProject, aProgressReporter );
     }
 
     THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( FMT_NOTFOUND, ShowType( aFileType ).GetData() ) );
diff --git a/pcbnew/io_mgr.h b/pcbnew/io_mgr.h
index bc1a20df58..bba94a19f6 100644
--- a/pcbnew/io_mgr.h
+++ b/pcbnew/io_mgr.h
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class PLUGIN;
 class FOOTPRINT;
 class PROPERTIES;
 class PROJECT;
+class PROGRESS_REPORTER;
 
 /**
  * A factory which returns an instance of a #PLUGIN.
@@ -210,7 +211,8 @@ public:
      */
     static BOARD* Load( PCB_FILE_T aFileType, const wxString& aFileName,
                         BOARD* aAppendToMe = nullptr, const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr,
-                        PROJECT* aProject = nullptr );
+                        PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                        PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr );
 
     /**
      * Write either a full \a aBoard to a storage file in a format that this implementation
@@ -296,6 +298,8 @@ public:
      *                    it to be optionally NULL.
      * @param aProject is the optional #PROJECT object primarily used by third party
      *                 importers.
+     * @param aProgressReporter an optional progress reporter
+     * @param aLineCount a line count (necessary if a progress reporter is supplied)
      * @return the successfully loaded board, or the same one as \a aAppendToMe if aAppendToMe
      *         was not NULL, and caller owns it.
      *
@@ -304,7 +308,8 @@ public:
      *                 possible.
      */
     virtual BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                         const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr );
+                         const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                         PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr );
 
     /**
      * Return a container with the cached library footprints generated in the last call to
diff --git a/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.cpp b/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.cpp
index efbfef00cc..f94a5fc477 100644
--- a/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.cpp
@@ -352,7 +352,8 @@ void CLIPBOARD_IO::Save( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aBoard,
 
 
 BOARD* CLIPBOARD_IO::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                           const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                           const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                           PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     std::string result;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.h b/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.h
index b3aba5ced4..140343258e 100644
--- a/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.h
+++ b/pcbnew/kicad_clipboard.h
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ public:
     BOARD_ITEM* Parse();
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr ) override;
+                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                 PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     void SetBoard( BOARD* aBoard );
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
index 950f117f53..222150d930 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_painter.cpp
@@ -1164,9 +1164,10 @@ void PCB_PAINTER::draw( const PAD* aPad, int aLayer )
 
                         m_gal->DrawPolygon( outline );
                     }
-
                     else
+                    {
                         m_gal->DrawPolygon( poly->Vertices() );
+                    }
 
                     // Now add on a rounded margin (using segments) if the margin > 0
                     if( margin.x > 0 )
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugin.cpp
index e2564fbadb..c5a9b7eaad 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugin.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ static void not_implemented( PLUGIN* aPlugin, const char* aCaller )
 
 
 BOARD* PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties,
-                     PROJECT* aProject )
+                     PROJECT* aProject, PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     not_implemented( this, __FUNCTION__ );
     return nullptr;
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.cpp
index 4446ef4924..9c03d0a21a 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ const wxString ALTIUM_CIRCUIT_MAKER_PLUGIN::GetFileExtension() const
 
 
 BOARD* ALTIUM_CIRCUIT_MAKER_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                                          const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                                          const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                                          PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     m_props = aProperties;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.h
index f7d356b2ef..938d678e9a 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_maker_plugin.h
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ public:
     const wxString PluginName() const override;
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties,
-                 PROJECT* aProject = nullptr ) override;
+                 PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                 PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     const wxString GetFileExtension() const override;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.cpp
index 1c23258f13..5be855d1d8 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ const wxString ALTIUM_CIRCUIT_STUDIO_PLUGIN::GetFileExtension() const
 
 
 BOARD* ALTIUM_CIRCUIT_STUDIO_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                                           const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                                           const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                                           PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     m_props = aProperties;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.h
index 7996ddd07a..94998f0bd3 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_circuit_studio_plugin.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ public:
     const wxString PluginName() const override;
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties,
-                 PROJECT* aProject ) override;
+                 PROJECT* aProject, PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     const wxString GetFileExtension() const override;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.cpp
index 8c8a3b6746..8796a9dcac 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ const wxString ALTIUM_DESIGNER_PLUGIN::GetFileExtension() const
 
 
 BOARD* ALTIUM_DESIGNER_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                                     const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                                     const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                                     PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     m_props = aProperties;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.h
index 14b20bd335..27528977e9 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_designer_plugin.h
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ public:
     const wxString PluginName() const override;
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties,
-                 PROJECT* aProject = nullptr) override;
+                 PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                 PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     const wxString GetFileExtension() const override;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.cpp
index 57f0b871df..e405c5cfb3 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.cpp
@@ -106,7 +106,8 @@ std::vector<FOOTPRINT*> CADSTAR_PCB_ARCHIVE_PLUGIN::GetImportedCachedLibraryFoot
 
 
 BOARD* CADSTAR_PCB_ARCHIVE_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                                         const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                                         const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                                         PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     m_props = aProperties;
     m_board = aAppendToMe ? aAppendToMe : new BOARD();
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.h
index 7a908f1b87..3c689de2fa 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/cadstar/cadstar_pcb_archive_plugin.h
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ public:
     const wxString PluginName() const override;
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr ) override;
+                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                 PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     const wxString GetFileExtension() const override;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.cpp
index e570e4feb5..1d49506dfc 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.cpp
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ Load() TODO's
 #include <properties.h>
 #include <trigo.h>
 #include <math/util.h>      // for KiROUND
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 #include <board.h>
 #include <board_design_settings.h>
@@ -207,12 +208,14 @@ static void setKeepoutSettingsToZone( ZONE* aZone, LAYER_NUM aLayer )
 }
 
 
-void ERULES::parse( wxXmlNode* aRules )
+void ERULES::parse( wxXmlNode* aRules, std::function<void()> aCheckpoint )
 {
     wxXmlNode* child = aRules->GetChildren();
 
     while( child )
     {
+        aCheckpoint();
+
         if( child->GetName() == "param" )
         {
             const wxString& name = child->GetAttribute( "name" );
@@ -273,9 +276,13 @@ void ERULES::parse( wxXmlNode* aRules )
 
 
 EAGLE_PLUGIN::EAGLE_PLUGIN() :
-    m_rules( new ERULES() ),
-    m_xpath( new XPATH() ),
-    m_mod_time( wxDateTime::Now() )
+        m_rules( new ERULES() ),
+        m_xpath( new XPATH() ),
+        m_progressReporter( nullptr ),
+        m_doneCount( 0 ),
+        m_lastProgressCount( 0 ),
+        m_totalCount( 0 ),
+        m_mod_time( wxDateTime::Now() )
 {
     using namespace std::placeholders;
 
@@ -305,6 +312,26 @@ const wxString EAGLE_PLUGIN::GetFileExtension() const
     return wxT( "brd" );
 }
 
+
+void EAGLE_PLUGIN::checkpoint()
+{
+    const unsigned PROGRESS_DELTA = 50;
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        if( ++m_doneCount > m_lastProgressCount + PROGRESS_DELTA )
+        {
+            m_progressReporter->SetCurrentProgress(( (double) m_doneCount ) / m_totalCount );
+
+            if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+            m_lastProgressCount = m_doneCount;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 wxSize inline EAGLE_PLUGIN::kicad_fontz( const ECOORD& d, int aTextThickness ) const
 {
     // Eagle includes stroke thickness in the text size, KiCAD does not
@@ -314,7 +341,8 @@ wxSize inline EAGLE_PLUGIN::kicad_fontz( const ECOORD& d, int aTextThickness ) c
 
 
 BOARD* EAGLE_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                           const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                           const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                           PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     LOCALE_IO       toggle;     // toggles on, then off, the C locale.
     wxXmlNode*      doc;
@@ -322,6 +350,7 @@ BOARD* EAGLE_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
     init( aProperties );
 
     m_board = aAppendToMe ? aAppendToMe : new BOARD();
+    m_progressReporter = aProgressReporter;
 
     // Give the filename to the board if it's new
     if( !aAppendToMe )
@@ -332,6 +361,14 @@ BOARD* EAGLE_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
 
     try
     {
+        if( m_progressReporter )
+        {
+            m_progressReporter->Report( wxString::Format( _( "Loading %s..." ), aFileName ) );
+
+            if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+        }
+
         wxFileName fn = aFileName;
         // Load the document
         wxFFileInputStream stream( fn.GetFullPath() );
@@ -339,7 +376,7 @@ BOARD* EAGLE_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
 
         if( !stream.IsOk() || !xmlDocument.Load( stream ) )
         {
-            THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Unable to read file \"%s\"" ),
+            THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Unable to read file '%s'" ),
                                               fn.GetFullPath() ) );
         }
 
@@ -414,9 +451,7 @@ std::vector<FOOTPRINT*> EAGLE_PLUGIN::GetImportedCachedLibraryFootprints()
     std::vector<FOOTPRINT*> retval;
 
     for( std::pair<wxString, FOOTPRINT*> fp : m_templates )
-    {
         retval.push_back( static_cast<FOOTPRINT*>( fp.second->Clone() ) );
-    }
 
     return retval;
 }
@@ -458,12 +493,53 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadAllSections( wxXmlNode* aDoc )
     wxXmlNode* board         = drawingChildren["board"];
     NODE_MAP boardChildren   = MapChildren( board );
 
+    auto count_children = [this]( wxXmlNode* aNode )
+            {
+                if( aNode )
+                {
+                    wxXmlNode* child = aNode->GetChildren();
+
+                    while( child )
+                    {
+                        m_totalCount++;
+                        child = child->GetNext();
+                    }
+                }
+            };
+
+    wxXmlNode* designrules = boardChildren["designrules"];
+    wxXmlNode* layers = drawingChildren["layers"];
+    wxXmlNode* plain = boardChildren["plain"];
+    wxXmlNode* signals = boardChildren["signals"];
+    wxXmlNode* libs = boardChildren["libraries"];
+    wxXmlNode* elems = boardChildren["elements"];
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        m_totalCount = 0;
+        m_doneCount = 0;
+
+        count_children( designrules );
+        count_children( layers );
+        count_children( plain );
+        count_children( signals );
+        count_children( elems );
+
+        while( libs )
+        {
+            count_children( MapChildren( libs )["packages"] );
+            libs = libs->GetNext();
+        }
+
+        // Rewind
+        libs = boardChildren["libraries"];
+    }
+
     m_xpath->push( "eagle.drawing" );
 
     {
         m_xpath->push( "board" );
 
-        wxXmlNode* designrules = boardChildren["designrules"];
         loadDesignRules( designrules );
 
         m_xpath->pop();
@@ -472,7 +548,6 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadAllSections( wxXmlNode* aDoc )
     {
         m_xpath->push( "layers" );
 
-        wxXmlNode* layers = drawingChildren["layers"];
         loadLayerDefs( layers );
         mapEagleLayersToKicad();
 
@@ -482,19 +557,12 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadAllSections( wxXmlNode* aDoc )
     {
         m_xpath->push( "board" );
 
-        wxXmlNode* plain = boardChildren["plain"];
         loadPlain( plain );
-
-        wxXmlNode*  signals = boardChildren["signals"];
         loadSignals( signals );
-
-        wxXmlNode*  libs = boardChildren["libraries"];
         loadLibraries( libs );
-
-        wxXmlNode* elems = boardChildren["elements"];
         loadElements( elems );
 
-        m_xpath->pop();     // "board"
+        m_xpath->pop();
     }
 
     m_xpath->pop();     // "eagle.drawing"
@@ -506,7 +574,7 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadDesignRules( wxXmlNode* aDesignRules )
     if( aDesignRules )
     {
         m_xpath->push( "designrules" );
-        m_rules->parse( aDesignRules );
+        m_rules->parse( aDesignRules, [this](){ checkpoint(); } );
         m_xpath->pop();     // "designrules"
     }
 }
@@ -533,9 +601,7 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLayerDefs( wxXmlNode* aLayers )
 
         // find the subset of layers that are copper and active
         if( elayer.number >= 1 && elayer.number <= 16 && ( !elayer.active || *elayer.active ) )
-        {
             cu.push_back( elayer );
-        }
 
         layerNode = layerNode->GetNext();
     }
@@ -546,9 +612,13 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLayerDefs( wxXmlNode* aLayers )
     for( EITER it = cu.begin();  it != cu.end();  ++it,  ++ki_layer_count )
     {
         if( ki_layer_count == 0 )
+        {
             m_cu_map[it->number] = F_Cu;
+        }
         else if( ki_layer_count == int( cu.size()-1 ) )
+        {
             m_cu_map[it->number] = B_Cu;
+        }
         else
         {
             // some eagle boards do not have contiguous layer number sequences.
@@ -592,6 +662,8 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadPlain( wxXmlNode* aGraphics )
     // (polygon | wire | text | circle | rectangle | frame | hole)*
     while( gr )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         wxString grName = gr->GetName();
 
         if( grName == "wire" )
@@ -945,6 +1017,8 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLibrary( wxXmlNode* aLib, const wxString* aLibName )
 
     while( package )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         m_xpath->push( "package", "name" );
 
         wxString pack_ref = package->GetAttribute( "name" );
@@ -1018,6 +1092,8 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadElements( wxXmlNode* aElements )
 
     while( element )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         if( element->GetName() != "element" )
         {
             // Get next item
@@ -1039,7 +1115,7 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadElements( wxXmlNode* aElements )
 
         if( it == m_templates.end() )
         {
-            wxString emsg = wxString::Format( _( "No \"%s\" package in library \"%s\"" ),
+            wxString emsg = wxString::Format( _( "No '%s' package in library '%s'." ),
                                               FROM_UTF8( e.package.c_str() ),
                                               FROM_UTF8( e.library.c_str() ) );
             THROW_IO_ERROR( emsg );
@@ -1742,7 +1818,7 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::packagePad( FOOTPRINT* aFootprint, wxXmlNode* aTree )
         // if shape is not present, our default is circle and that matches their default "round"
     }
 
-    if( e.diameter )
+    if( e.diameter && e.diameter->value > 0 )
     {
         int diameter = e.diameter->ToPcbUnits();
         pad->SetSize( wxSize( diameter, diameter ) );
@@ -2148,6 +2224,9 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::packageHole( FOOTPRINT* aFootprint, wxXmlNode* aTree, bool aC
 {
     EHOLE   e( aTree );
 
+    if( e.drill.value == 0 )
+        return;
+
     // we add a PAD_ATTRIB::NPTH pad to this footprint.
     PAD* pad = new PAD( aFootprint );
     aFootprint->Add( pad );
@@ -2188,7 +2267,7 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::packageSMD( FOOTPRINT* aFootprint, wxXmlNode* aTree ) const
     ESMD e( aTree );
     PCB_LAYER_ID layer = kicad_layer( e.layer );
 
-    if( !IsCopperLayer( layer ) )
+    if( !IsCopperLayer( layer ) || e.dx.value == 0 || e.dy.value == 0 )
         return;
 
     PAD* pad = new PAD( aFootprint );
@@ -2304,6 +2383,8 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadSignals( wxXmlNode* aSignals )
 
     while( net )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         bool    sawPad = false;
 
         zones.clear();
@@ -2557,7 +2638,13 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::mapEagleLayersToKicad()
         inputDescs.push_back( layerDesc );
     }
 
+    if( m_progressReporter && dynamic_cast<wxWindow*>( m_progressReporter ) )
+        dynamic_cast<wxWindow*>( m_progressReporter )->Hide();
+
     m_layer_map = m_layer_mapping_handler( inputDescs );
+
+    if( m_progressReporter && dynamic_cast<wxWindow*>( m_progressReporter ))
+        dynamic_cast<wxWindow*>( m_progressReporter )->Show();
 }
 
 PCB_LAYER_ID EAGLE_PLUGIN::kicad_layer( int aEagleLayer ) const
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.h
index 733521ae09..f01cc267f4 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.h
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ struct ERULES
         mdWireWire          ( 0 )
     {}
 
-    void parse( wxXmlNode* aRules );
+    void parse( wxXmlNode* aRules, std::function<void()> aCheckpoint );
 
     ///< percent over 100%.  0-> not elongated, 100->twice as wide as is tall
     ///< Goes into making a scaling factor for "long" pads.
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ public:
     const wxString PluginName() const override;
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr ) override;
+                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                 PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     std::vector<FOOTPRINT*> GetImportedCachedLibraryFootprints() override;
 
@@ -176,9 +177,11 @@ public:
 
 private:
     /// initialize PLUGIN like a constructor would, and futz with fresh BOARD if needed.
-    void    init( const PROPERTIES* aProperties );
+    void init( const PROPERTIES* aProperties );
 
-    void    clear_cu_map();
+    void checkpoint();
+
+    void clear_cu_map();
 
     /// Convert an Eagle distance to a KiCad distance.
     int kicad_y( const ECOORD& y ) const { return -y.ToPcbUnits(); }
@@ -299,6 +302,11 @@ private:
     const PROPERTIES* m_props;      ///< passed via Save() or Load(), no ownership, may be NULL.
     BOARD*      m_board;            ///< which BOARD is being worked on, no ownership here
 
+    PROGRESS_REPORTER*  m_progressReporter;  ///< optional; may be nullptr
+    unsigned            m_doneCount;
+    unsigned            m_lastProgressCount;
+    unsigned            m_totalCount;         ///< for progress reporting
+
     int         m_min_trace;        ///< smallest trace we find on Load(), in BIU.
     int         m_min_hole;         ///< smallest diameter hole we find on Load(), in BIU.
     int         m_min_via;          ///< smallest via we find on Load(), in BIU.
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.cpp
index 612d318fc9..09312909b0 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ const wxString FABMASTER_PLUGIN::GetFileExtension() const
 
 
 BOARD* FABMASTER_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString &aFileName, BOARD *aAppendToMe,
-                               const PROPERTIES *aProperties, PROJECT *aProject )
+                               const PROPERTIES *aProperties, PROJECT *aProject,
+                               PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     m_props = aProperties;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.h
index 4b875ddd87..e5b326ef3a 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/fabmaster/fabmaster_plugin.h
@@ -41,9 +41,11 @@ public:
 
     const wxString  PluginName() const override;
 
-    BOARD*          Load( const wxString&   aFileName,
-                          BOARD*            aAppendToMe,
-                          const PROPERTIES* aProperties = NULL, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr ) override;
+    BOARD*          Load( const wxString&    aFileName,
+                          BOARD*             aAppendToMe,
+                          const PROPERTIES*  aProperties = NULL,
+                          PROJECT*           aProject = nullptr,
+                          PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     const wxString  GetFileExtension() const override;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.cpp
index b6680e20ac..f330e0a5c2 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.cpp
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@
 #include <plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.h>
 #include <trace_helpers.h>
 #include <pcb_track.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 #include <wildcards_and_files_ext.h>
 #include <wx/dir.h>
 #include <wx/log.h>
@@ -2188,11 +2189,26 @@ PCB_IO::~PCB_IO()
 
 
 BOARD* PCB_IO::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties,
-                     PROJECT* aProject )
+                     PROJECT* aProject, PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     FILE_LINE_READER reader( aFileName );
 
-    BOARD* board = DoLoad( reader, aAppendToMe, aProperties );
+    unsigned lineCount = 0;
+
+    if( aProgressReporter )
+    {
+        aProgressReporter->Report( wxString::Format( _( "Loading %s..." ), aFileName ) );
+
+        if( !aProgressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+            THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+        while( reader.ReadLine() )
+            lineCount++;
+
+        reader.Rewind();
+    }
+
+    BOARD* board = DoLoad( reader, aAppendToMe, aProperties, aProgressReporter, lineCount );
 
     // Give the filename to the board if it's new
     if( !aAppendToMe )
@@ -2202,12 +2218,14 @@ BOARD* PCB_IO::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPER
 }
 
 
-BOARD* PCB_IO::DoLoad( LINE_READER& aReader, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties )
+BOARD* PCB_IO::DoLoad( LINE_READER& aReader, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties,
+                       PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter, unsigned aLineCount)
 {
     init( aProperties );
 
     m_parser->SetLineReader( &aReader );
     m_parser->SetBoard( aAppendToMe );
+    m_parser->SetProgressReporter( aProgressReporter, &aReader, aLineCount );
 
     BOARD* board;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.h
index 8095afbf56..330a6b2ac5 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.h
@@ -153,9 +153,11 @@ public:
                        const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr ) override;
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr ) override;
+                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                 PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
-    BOARD* DoLoad( LINE_READER& aReader, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties );
+    BOARD* DoLoad( LINE_READER& aReader, BOARD* aAppendToMe, const PROPERTIES* aProperties,
+                     PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter, unsigned aLineCount );
 
     void FootprintEnumerate( wxArrayString& aFootprintNames, const wxString& aLibraryPath,
                              bool aBestEfforts, const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr ) override;
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.cpp
index c2e68366a2..da89395b19 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.cpp
@@ -28,13 +28,11 @@
  */
 
 #include <cerrno>
-#include <common.h>
 #include <confirm.h>
 #include <macros.h>
 #include <title_block.h>
 #include <trigo.h>
 
-#include <advanced_config.h>
 #include <board.h>
 #include <board_design_settings.h>
 #include <pcb_dimension.h>
@@ -54,10 +52,10 @@
 #include <zones.h>
 #include <plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.h>
 #include <convert_basic_shapes_to_polygon.h>    // for RECT_CHAMFER_POSITIONS definition
-#include <template_fieldnames.h>
 #include <math/util.h>                           // KiROUND, Clamp
 #include <kicad_string.h>
 #include <wx/log.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 using namespace PCB_KEYS_T;
 
@@ -107,6 +105,27 @@ void PCB_PARSER::init()
 }
 
 
+void PCB_PARSER::checkpoint()
+{
+    const unsigned PROGRESS_DELTA = 250;
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        unsigned curLine = m_lineReader->LineNumber();
+
+        if( curLine > m_lastProgressLine + PROGRESS_DELTA )
+        {
+            m_progressReporter->SetCurrentProgress( ( (double) curLine ) / m_lineCount );
+
+            if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+            m_lastProgressLine = curLine;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 void PCB_PARSER::skipCurrent()
 {
     int curr_level = 0;
@@ -588,6 +607,8 @@ BOARD* PCB_PARSER::parseBOARD_unchecked()
 
     for( token = NextTok();  token != T_RIGHT;  token = NextTok() )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         if( token != T_LEFT )
             Expecting( T_LEFT );
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.h b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.h
index 23938765ee..9fa9527203 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.h
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ class PCB_VIA;
 class ZONE;
 class FP_3DMODEL;
 struct LAYER;
+class PROGRESS_REPORTER;
 
 
 /**
@@ -72,7 +73,11 @@ public:
     PCB_PARSER( LINE_READER* aReader = nullptr ) :
         PCB_LEXER( aReader ),
         m_board( nullptr ),
-        m_resetKIIDs( false )
+        m_resetKIIDs( false ),
+        m_progressReporter( nullptr ),
+        m_lineReader( nullptr ),
+        m_lastProgressLine( 0 ),
+        m_lineCount( 0 )
     {
         init();
     }
@@ -101,6 +106,15 @@ public:
             m_resetKIIDs = true;
     }
 
+    void SetProgressReporter( PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter, const LINE_READER* aLineReader,
+                              unsigned aLineCount )
+    {
+        m_progressReporter = aProgressReporter;
+        m_lineReader = aLineReader;
+        m_lastProgressLine = 0;
+        m_lineCount = aLineCount;
+    }
+
     BOARD_ITEM* Parse();
 
     /**
@@ -154,6 +168,8 @@ private:
      */
     void init();
 
+    void checkpoint();
+
     /**
      * Create a mapping from the (short-lived) bug where layer names were translated.
      *
@@ -342,6 +358,11 @@ private:
 
     bool                m_showLegacyZoneWarning;
 
+    PROGRESS_REPORTER*  m_progressReporter;  ///< optional; may be nullptr
+    const LINE_READER*  m_lineReader;        ///< for progress reporting
+    unsigned            m_lastProgressLine;
+    unsigned            m_lineCount;         ///< for progress reporting
+
     // Group membership info refers to other Uuids in the file.
     // We don't want to rely on group declarations being last in the file, so
     // we store info about the group declarations here during parsing and then resolve
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.cpp
index a8ab8d2ae1..47a9bddb8c 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.cpp
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@
 #include <trigo.h>
 #include <confirm.h>
 #include <math/util.h>      // for KiROUND
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 typedef LEGACY_PLUGIN::BIU      BIU;
 
@@ -194,6 +195,28 @@ static bool inline isSpace( int c ) { return strchr( delims, c ) != nullptr; }
 
 #define MASK(x)             (1<<(x))
 
+
+void LEGACY_PLUGIN::checkpoint()
+{
+    const unsigned PROGRESS_DELTA = 250;
+
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        unsigned curLine = m_reader->LineNumber();
+
+        if( curLine > m_lastProgressLine + PROGRESS_DELTA )
+        {
+            m_progressReporter->SetCurrentProgress( ( (double) curLine ) / m_lineCount );
+
+            if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+            m_lastProgressLine = curLine;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 //-----<BOARD Load Functions>---------------------------------------------------
 
 /// C string compare test for a specific length of characters.
@@ -378,7 +401,8 @@ static inline long hexParse( const char* next, const char** out = NULL )
 
 
 BOARD* LEGACY_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                            const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                            const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                            PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     LOCALE_IO   toggle;     // toggles on, then off, the C locale.
 
@@ -402,13 +426,30 @@ BOARD* LEGACY_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
 
     FILE_LINE_READER    reader( aFileName );
 
-    m_reader = &reader;          // member function accessibility
+    m_reader = &reader;
+    m_progressReporter = aProgressReporter;
 
     checkVersion();
 
+    if( m_progressReporter )
+    {
+        m_lineCount = 0;
+
+        m_progressReporter->Report( wxString::Format( _( "Loading %s..." ), aFileName ) );
+
+        if( !m_progressReporter->KeepRefreshing() )
+            THROW_IO_ERROR( ( "Open cancelled by user." ) );
+
+        while( reader.ReadLine() )
+            m_lineCount++;
+
+        reader.Rewind();
+    }
+
     loadAllSections( bool( aAppendToMe ) );
 
     (void)boardDeleter.release(); // give it up so we dont delete it on exit
+    m_progressReporter = nullptr;
     return m_board;
 }
 
@@ -426,6 +467,8 @@ void LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadAllSections( bool doAppend )
 
     while( ( line = READLINE( m_reader ) ) != NULL )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         // put the more frequent ones at the top, but realize TRACKs are loaded as a group
 
         if( TESTLINE( "$MODULE" ) )
@@ -2200,6 +2243,8 @@ void LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadTrackList( int aStructType )
 
     while( ( line = READLINE( m_reader ) ) != NULL )
     {
+        checkpoint();
+
         // read two lines per loop iteration, each loop is one TRACK or VIA
         // example first line:
         // e.g. "Po 0 23994 28800 24400 28800 150 -1"  for a track
@@ -3386,6 +3431,9 @@ LEGACY_PLUGIN::LEGACY_PLUGIN() :
     m_cu_count( 16 ),               // for FootprintLoad()
     m_board( nullptr ),
     m_props( nullptr ),
+    m_progressReporter( nullptr ),
+    m_lastProgressLine( 0 ),
+    m_lineCount( 0 ),
     m_reader( nullptr ),
     m_fp( nullptr ),
     m_cache( nullptr )
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.h
index 2a28b7b2e7..459e6f91ab 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.h
@@ -74,7 +74,8 @@ public:
     }
 
     BOARD* Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr ) override;
+                 const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr, PROJECT* aProject = nullptr,
+                 PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     void FootprintEnumerate( wxArrayString& aFootprintNames, const wxString& aLibraryPath,
                              bool aBestEfforts,
@@ -101,6 +102,11 @@ public:
     static LSET leg_mask2new( int cu_count, unsigned aMask );
 
 protected:
+    /// initialize PLUGIN like a constructor would, and futz with fresh BOARD if needed.
+    void init( const PROPERTIES* aProperties );
+
+    void checkpoint();
+
     ///< Converts net code using the mapping table if available,
     ///< otherwise returns unchanged net code
     inline int getNetCode( int aNetCode )
@@ -174,24 +180,25 @@ protected:
     void cacheLib( const wxString& aLibraryPath );
 
 protected:
-    int               m_cu_count;
+    int                m_cu_count;
 
-    wxString          m_error;      ///< for throwing exceptions
-    BOARD*            m_board;      ///< which BOARD, no ownership here
-    const PROPERTIES* m_props;      ///< passed via Save() or Load(), no ownership, may be NULL.
+    wxString           m_error;                  ///< for throwing exceptions
+    BOARD*             m_board;                  ///< which BOARD, no ownership here
+    const PROPERTIES*  m_props;                  ///< passed via Save() or Load(), no ownership,
+                                                 ///<  may be NULL.
+    PROGRESS_REPORTER* m_progressReporter;       ///< may be NULL, no ownership
+    unsigned           m_lastProgressLine;
+    unsigned           m_lineCount;              ///< for progress reporting
 
-    LINE_READER*      m_reader;     ///< no ownership here.
-    FILE*             m_fp;         ///< no ownership here.
+    LINE_READER*       m_reader;                 ///< no ownership here.
+    FILE*              m_fp;                     ///< no ownership here.
 
-    wxString          m_field;      ///< reused to stuff FOOTPRINT fields.
-    int               m_loading_format_version;   ///< which BOARD_FORMAT_VERSION am I Load()ing?
-    LP_CACHE*         m_cache;
-    bool              m_showLegacyZoneWarning;
+    wxString           m_field;                  ///< reused to stuff FOOTPRINT fields.
+    int                m_loading_format_version; ///< which BOARD_FORMAT_VERSION am I Load()ing?
+    LP_CACHE*          m_cache;
+    bool               m_showLegacyZoneWarning;
 
-    std::vector<int>  m_netCodes;   ///< net codes mapping for boards being loaded
-
-    /// initialize PLUGIN like a constructor would, and futz with fresh BOARD if needed.
-    void    init( const PROPERTIES* aProperties );
+    std::vector<int>   m_netCodes;               ///< net codes mapping for boards being loaded
 
     double  biuToDisk;              ///< convert from BIUs to disk engineering units
                                     ///< with this scale factor
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.cpp b/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.cpp
index 9356d00a43..b87a3ee2ad 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.cpp
@@ -66,7 +66,8 @@ const wxString PCAD_PLUGIN::GetFileExtension() const
 
 
 BOARD* PCAD_PLUGIN::Load( const wxString& aFileName, BOARD* aAppendToMe,
-                          const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject )
+                          const PROPERTIES* aProperties, PROJECT* aProject,
+                          PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter )
 {
     wxXmlDocument   xmlDoc;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.h b/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.h
index 8bd1a614d6..897374413a 100644
--- a/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.h
+++ b/pcbnew/plugins/pcad/pcad_plugin.h
@@ -40,10 +40,11 @@ public:
 
     const wxString  PluginName() const override;
 
-    BOARD*          Load( const wxString&   aFileName,
-                          BOARD*            aAppendToMe,
-                          const PROPERTIES* aProperties = nullptr,
-                          PROJECT*          aProject = nullptr ) override;
+    BOARD*          Load( const wxString&    aFileName,
+                          BOARD*             aAppendToMe,
+                          const PROPERTIES*  aProperties = nullptr,
+                          PROJECT*           aProject = nullptr,
+                          PROGRESS_REPORTER* aProgressReporter = nullptr ) override;
 
     const wxString  GetFileExtension() const override;
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp
index a6fb1763b6..acb8892b00 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 #include <view/view_controls.h>
 #include <footprint_viewer_frame.h>
 #include <footprint_edit_frame.h>
+#include <widgets/progress_reporter.h>
 
 using namespace std::placeholders;
 
@@ -1018,8 +1019,10 @@ int PCB_CONTROL::AppendBoard( PLUGIN& pi, wxString& fileName )
         props["page_width"]  = xbuf;
         props["page_height"] = ybuf;
 
+        WX_PROGRESS_REPORTER progressReporter( editFrame, _( "Loading PCB" ), 1 );
+
         editFrame->GetDesignSettings().GetNetClasses().Clear();
-        pi.Load( fileName, brd, &props );
+        pi.Load( fileName, brd, &props, nullptr, &progressReporter );
     }
     catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
     {