KiCad PCB EDA Suite: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 16:44, 9 April 2024

Wayne Stambaugh, current leader of the KiCad project saying KiCad.

KiCad EDA is a free and open source electronic design automation software for editing circuit schematics, PCB layouts and component libraries, with Gerber and drill output, without restrictions such as board size or number of pins.^[1]

Features

First released in 1992, KiCad is considered mature and is used for the successful development and maintenance of complex electronic boards.^[2] It doesn't impose limitations such as board size or number of pins, etc. and can handle multiple layers. Being open source it's an ideal tool for Open-source hardware projects. KiCad is available for Linux, Windows and Apple OS X (experimental, but working).^[1]^[3]

Quick start hints

To help get quickly familiar with KiCad's user interface (UI). Enter ? for a pop up a list of hot keys. Using these is more efficient than mousing.
Open-source software might not be as polished as proprietary. If the program behaves strangely, check for known bugs.
Save components to a library specific to your project. Otherwise when KiCad's libraries change your project's components will be affected.
Read Getting Started in KiCad
...

KiCad project manager

KiCad is the project manager window. This gives access to eight stand-alone software tools: Eeschema, Schematic Library Editor, Pcbnew, PCB Footprint Editor, GerbView, Bitmap2Component, PCB Calculator and Pl Editor.^[3]

Eeschema

Eeschema is the schematic editor and component editor window.^[3]

CvPcb

CvPcb the footprint selector helper is always run from Eeschema.^[3] Check every component and footprint before use, to ensure that they match the features required.^[4]

Pcbnew

Pcbnew is the circuit board layout editor and footprint editor.^[3]

Other tools

Other tools in KiCad include GerbView a Gerber and drill viewer, Bitmap2Component, PCB Calculator and Pl Editor.^[3]

Libraries

When you draw a schematic save a copy of your library or copy the file whatever-cache.lib to whatever.lib in the project folder. Then add this folder in preferences, component libraries, (click the add button at the top of the pop up window not the one below). Select the library and move it to the top of the list. KiCad searches these in sequence and will use whichever component it finds first. From now on ensure that every symbol you use gets added to and used only from this library. Any changes to the default libraries won't affect your project and it can be shared without library conflicts.^[5]

Version control

KiCAD files are plain text and all version control systems (VCS), such as Git can handle text and binary files but binary ones cannot be merged.^[6]

Basic workflow

The basic workflow in KiCad is:

Create a project in the project manager window.
Create a schematic with eeschema.
Assign footprints to symbols with cvpcb, generate the netlist.
Create a board with pcbnew, importing the netlist.
Test the board using the Design Rule Check.
Generate production files.^[7]

References

^ ^a ^b About KiCad
^ Made With KiCad
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Getting started, KiCad documentation]
^ Re: [kicad-users Kicad symbol "Pin Number" "Pin Name"], kicad-users mailing list, Jun 2011
^ KiCad best practices: library management by Anool Mahidharia, Hackaday, 18 May 2017
^ Version control systems for hardware projects?
^ Getting Started, KiCad EDA

External links

KiCad documentation
Official schematic and 3D library repository, also here is the KiCad Library Convention (i.e. the standards for schematic-symbols and footprints).
KiCad forum, the premier source of information about KiCad and RSS feed
kicad-users mailing list, Yahoo
Kicad useful links
r/KiCad
List of desirable features for a FOSS PCB design tool, CERN Open Hardware
Version 6 Road Map
KiCad, Wikipedia
Special techniques for Kicad by Robin Whittle, Apr. 2016
sethhillbrand/kicad_templates, GitHub. Custom Templates for OshPark, PCBWay, JLCPCB; preferred track widths, DRC settings, etc.

Video tutorials

Intro to KiCad, Digi-Key
Getting to Blinky 4.0, video tutorial by Chris Gammell
KiCAD Quick-Start Tutorial by Windsor Schmidt
my first pcb kicad 6 by Eric Perronin in French
KiCad - From Design to Manufacture by Notes and Volts - in four parts

Further libraries

Check component pin-outs, silk screens, etc. are correct before sending for manufacture.

Collection of everyone's KiCAD footprints available online and some scripts to manage them.
digikey-kicad-library
SnapEDA, symbol and footprint library
KiCad component libraries with footprints and 3D modules, CC-BY-SA or GPL licenced
Kicad libraries converted from Eagle
libraries by Renie S. Marquet
CUI’s library of ready-made 3D models and PCB footprints
KiCad libraries, archived
4ms-kicad-lib, 4ms symbol and footprint libraries
Schematic Symbols & PCB Footprints, SamacSys
- Library Loader, SamacSys
Analog Output's library of common footprints and components, for Kosmo and Eurorack
Analog Output's library of footprints for front panels made of PCB material, for Kosmo and Eurorack

Utilities

Interactive HTML BOM plugin for KiCad, also indicates component placement
Boms-Away!, BOM/component manager for KiCad
KiCad Librarian, utility to manage and maintain schematic symbol and footprint libraries
KiCad Third-Party Tools
KiCost, script for generating part-cost spreadsheets
KiField, module and utilities for manipulating part fields in KiCad files.
KiPart, tool to generate electronic component libraries from CSV files. Looks very useful but the documentation is dificult to follow.
Kitnic 1-click BOM browser extension
PcbDraw, converts Pcbnew board into a clear 2D drawing
QEDA, tool to simplify creating electronic component libraries. Easy to install and use but the documentation is incomplete.
Quick KiCad library component builder
svg2mod, to convert SVG (Inkscape) drawing to KiCad footprint
Trace Width Calculator, Advanced Circuits
uConfig, datasheet pinout extractor from PDF and library Stylizer for Kicad.
ULP scripts to convert schematics, symbols and footprints from Eagle to KiCad
Robotips/uConfig, datasheet pinout extractor and library Stylizer
BezierTrack KiCad plugin
mitxela/kicad-round-tracks, track rounding plugin for KiCad
ian-ross/kicad-plugins, reproduce schematic layout in PCB layout
JLC-Plugin-for-KiCad
4ms-kicad-script, includes makefp to create a Eurorack faceplate from a PCB.

KiCad format SDIY files

Some useful examples, not a comprehensive list.

KiCad Synth DIY Synthblocks

GitHub

smrl/vactrol_sequencer, vactrol-based video sequencer schematics/gerbers
russellmcc/russell_kicad
nebs/eurocad, A set of KiCad components and footprints used in Eurorack modules.
AudioMorphology/Europi, Opensource sequencer software for Raspberry Pi equipped with Eurorack-compatible hardware
dchwebb includes some Eurorack components, footprints and 3d models

Gerber file viewers

GerbView
GerbLook, render, display and share images of your PCB design.
Gerbv, a Gerber (RS-274X) viewer

[abt-1] About KiCad

[2] Made With KiCad

[doc-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Getting started, KiCad documentation]

[4] Re: [kicad-users Kicad symbol "Pin Number" "Pin Name"], kicad-users mailing list, Jun 2011

[hd-5] KiCad best practices: library management by Anool Mahidharia, Hackaday, 18 May 2017

[6] Version control systems for hardware projects?

[gs-7] Getting Started, KiCad EDA

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''KiCad''' (pronounced ''KeeCad''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlxpHWB_vb8 Wayne Stambaugh (Project Leader)]</ref>.) is a free and [[open source]] [[EDA]] (electronic design automation) software for editing circuit schematics, PCB layouts and component libraries, with Gerber and drill output.<ref name="abt">[http://kicad-pcb.org/about/kicad/ About KiCad]</ref>
+[[File:Wayne_Stambaugh_at_FOSDEM_2018_saying_KiCad.mp3|thumb|right|Wayne Stambaugh, current leader of the KiCad project saying KiCad.]]'''KiCad EDA''' is a free and [[open source]] [[EDA|electronic design automation]] software for editing circuit schematics, PCB layouts and component libraries, with Gerber and drill output, without restrictions such as board size or number of pins.<ref name="abt">[http://kicad.org/about/kicad/ About KiCad]</ref>
-Use the [http://downloads.kicad-pcb.org/windows/nightly/ KicCad nightly build] instead of v4.0x , it's now stable enough and nearing release.
 == Features ==
-First released in 1992, KiCad is considered mature and is used for the successful development and maintenance of complex electronic boards.<ref>[http://kicad-pcb.org/made-with-kicad/ Made With KiCad]</ref> It doesn't impose limitations such as board size or number of pins, etc. and can handle multiple layers. Being open source it's an ideal tool for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_hardware Open-source hardware] projects. KiCad is available for Linux, Windows and Apple OS X (experimental, but working).<ref name="abt" /><ref name="doc">[http://docs.kicad-pcb.org/en/getting_started_in_kicad.html Getting started], KiCad documentation]</ref>
+First released in 1992, KiCad is considered mature and is used for the successful development and maintenance of complex electronic boards.<ref>[http://kicad.org/made-with-kicad/ Made With KiCad]</ref> It doesn't impose limitations such as board size or number of pins, etc. and can handle multiple layers. Being open source it's an ideal tool for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_hardware Open-source hardware] projects. KiCad is available for Linux, Windows and Apple OS X (experimental, but working).<ref name="abt" /><ref name="doc">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160418234411/http://docs.kicad.org/en/getting_started_in_kicad.html Getting started], KiCad documentation]</ref>
 == Quick start hints ==<!-- keep this brief -->
 * To help get quickly familiar with KiCad's user interface (UI). Enter ? for a pop up a list of hot keys. Using these is more efficient than mousing.
 * Open-source software might not be as polished as proprietary. If the program behaves strangely, [https://bugs.launchpad.net/kicad check for known bugs].
 * Save components to a library specific to your project. Otherwise when KiCad's libraries change your project's components will be affected.
-* Read ''[http://docs.kicad-pcb.org/4.0.7/en/getting_started_in_kicad.pdf Getting Started in KiCad]''
+* Read ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20180127162022/http://docs.kicad.org/4.0.7/en/getting_started_in_kicad.pdf Getting Started in KiCad]''
 * ...
 == KiCad project manager ==
-KiCad is the project manager window. This gives access to eight stand-alone software tools: Eeschema, Schematic Library Editor, Pcbnew, PCB Footprint Editor, GerbView, Bitmap2Component, PCB Calculator and Pl Editor.<ref name="doc" />
+KiCad is the project manager window. This gives access to eight stand-alone software [[tools]]: Eeschema, Schematic Library Editor, Pcbnew, PCB Footprint Editor, GerbView, Bitmap2Component, PCB Calculator and Pl Editor.<ref name="doc" />
 === Eeschema ===
 Eeschema is the schematic editor and component editor window.<ref name="doc" />
@@ Line 37: / Line 35: @@
 * Create a board with pcbnew, importing the netlist.
 * Test the board using the Design Rule Check.
-* Generate production files.<ref name="gs">[http://kicad-pcb.org/help/getting-started/ Getting Started], KiCad EDA</ref>
+* Generate production files.<ref name="gs">[http://kicad.org/help/getting-started/ Getting Started], KiCad EDA</ref>
+== See also ==
+* [[PCB layout and design]]
+* [[Git (and Python) workflow when contributing to the official KiCad libraries]]
 == References ==
 {{reflist}}
+== Further reading ==
+* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20190613215149/https://www.elektor.com/kicad-like-a-pro KiCad Like a Pro]'' by Peter Dalmaris, Issuu, 2019, {{ISBN|978-1-907920-74-5}}
 == External links ==
-* [http://kicad-pcb.org/help/ KiCad documentation]
+* [http://kicad.org/help/ KiCad documentation]
-* [https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-library Official schematic and 3D library  repository], also here is the [http://kicad-pcb.org/libraries/klc/ KiCad Library Convention] (i.e. the standards for schematic-symbols and footprints).
+* [https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-library Official schematic and 3D library  repository], also here is the [http://kicad.org/libraries/klc/ KiCad Library Convention] (i.e. the standards for schematic-symbols and footprints).
 * [https://forum.kicad.info/ KiCad forum], the premier source of information about KiCad and [https://forum.kicad.info/latest.rss RSS feed]
 * [https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kicad-users/info kicad-users] mailing list, Yahoo
-* [http://www.kicadlib.org/Kicad_related_links.html Kicad useful links]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160413183553/http://www.kicadlib.org/Kicad_related_links.html Kicad useful links]
 * [https://www.reddit.com/r/KiCad r/KiCad]
 * [http://www.ohwr.org/projects/ohr-meta/wiki/Foss-pcb List of desirable features for a FOSS PCB design tool], CERN Open Hardware
-* [http://kicad-source-mirror.readthedocs.io/en/latest/Documentation/development/road-map-r6/ Version 6 Road Map]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170708195417/http://kicad-source-mirror.readthedocs.io/en/latest/Documentation/development/road-map-r6/ Version 6 Road Map]
 * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KiCad KiCad], Wikipedia
+* [http://www.firstpr.com.au/kicad/ Special techniques for Kicad] by Robin Whittle, Apr. 2016
+* [https://github.com/sethhillbrand/kicad_templates sethhillbrand/kicad_templates], [[GitHub]]. Custom Templates for OshPark, PCBWay, JLCPCB; preferred track widths, DRC settings, etc.
 === Video tutorials ===
 * [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEBQazB0HUyR24ckSZ5u05TZHV9khgA1O Intro to KiCad], Digi-Key
 * ''[https://contextualelectronics.com/getting-to-blinky-4-0/ Getting to Blinky 4.0]'', video tutorial by Chris Gammell
 * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK3rDhJqMu0 KiCAD Quick-Start Tutorial] by Windsor Schmidt
+* [https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuQznwVAhY2XyLtk11MdgLkLk3thxQi8K my first pcb kicad 6] by Eric Perronin in French
+* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuek-NyDaWo KiCad - From Design to Manufacture] by Notes and Volts - in four parts
 === Further libraries ===
 Check component pin-outs, silk screens, etc. are correct before sending for manufacture.
+* Collection of [https://github.com/monostable/kicad_footprints#kicad-footprint-collection everyone's KiCAD footprints] available online and some scripts to manage them.
 * [https://github.com/digikey/digikey-kicad-library digikey-kicad-library]
 * [https://www.snapeda.com/home/ SnapEDA], symbol and footprint library
 * [http://smisioto.no-ip.org/elettronica/kicad/kicad-en.htm KiCad component libraries with footprints and 3D modules], CC-BY-SA or GPL licenced
-<!-- [http://www.kicadlib.org/ KiCad libraries] -->
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160829002938/http://library.oshec.org/ Kicad libraries converted from Eagle]
 * [http://www.reniemarquet.com/bibliotecas_en.html libraries] by Renie S. Marquet
-* Collection of [https://github.com/monostable/kicad_footprints#kicad-footprint-collection everyone's KiCAD footprints] available online and some scripts to manage them.
 * [https://www.cui.com/resources/cad-model-library CUI’s library of ready-made 3D models and PCB footprints]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161017003431/http://www.kicadlib.org/  KiCad libraries], archived
+* [https://github.com/4ms/4ms-kicad-lib 4ms-kicad-lib], 4ms symbol and footprint libraries
+* [https://www.samacsys.com/pcb-part-libraries/ Schematic Symbols & PCB Footprints], SamacSys
+** [https://componentsearchengine.com/ga/downloads.php Library Loader], SamacSys
+* [https://gitlab.com/rsholmes/aoKicad Analog Output's library of common footprints and components], for [[Kosmo]] and Eurorack
+* [https://gitlab.com/rsholmes/Kosmo_panel Analog Output's library of footprints for front panels made of PCB material], for Kosmo and Eurorack
 === Utilities ===
+* [https://github.com/openscopeproject/InteractiveHtmlBom Interactive HTML BOM plugin for KiCad], also indicates component placement
-* [https://github.com/xesscorp/kicad-3rd-party-tools KiCad Third-Party Tools]
 * [https://github.com/Jeff-Ciesielski/Boms-Away Boms-Away!], BOM/component manager for KiCad
+* [http://www.compuphase.com/electronics/kicadlibrarian_en.htm KiCad Librarian], utility to manage and maintain schematic symbol and footprint libraries
-* [http://kicad.rohrbacher.net/quicklib.php Quick KiCad library component builder]
+* [https://github.com/xesscorp/kicad-3rd-party-tools KiCad Third-Party Tools]
+* [https://github.com/xesscorp/KiCost KiCost], script for generating part-cost spreadsheets
 * [https://pypi.python.org/pypi/kifield KiField], module and utilities for manipulating part fields in KiCad files.
-* [http://www.compuphase.com/electronics/kicadlibrarian_en.htm KiCad Librarian]
 * [https://github.com/xesscorp/kipart KiPart], tool to generate electronic component libraries from CSV files. Looks very useful but the documentation is dificult to follow.
+* [https://1clickbom.com/#roadmap Kitnic 1-click BOM] browser extension
+* [https://github.com/pointhi/PcbDraw PcbDraw], converts Pcbnew board into a clear 2D drawing
 * [http://qeda.org/ QEDA], tool to simplify creating electronic component libraries. Easy to install and use but the documentation is incomplete.
+* [http://kicad.rohrbacher.net/quicklib.php Quick KiCad library component builder]
-* [https://github.com/xesscorp/KiCost KiCost], script for generating part-cost spreadsheets
-* [http://www.firstpr.com.au/pcb-diy/ Special techniques for Kicad] by Robin Whittle, Apr. 2016
-* [https://github.com/lachlanA/eagle-to-kicad ULP scripts to convert schematics, symbols and footprints from Eagle to KiCad]
 * [https://github.com/mtl/svg2mod svg2mod], to convert SVG ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkscape Inkscape]) drawing to KiCad footprint
-* [https://1clickbom.com/#roadmap Kitnic 1-click BOM] browser extension
 * [http://www.4pcb.com/trace-width-calculator.html Trace Width Calculator], Advanced Circuits
+* [https://github.com/Robotips/uConfig uConfig], [[datasheet]] pinout extractor from PDF and library Stylizer for Kicad.
+* [https://github.com/lachlanA/eagle-to-kicad ULP scripts to convert schematics, symbols and footprints from Eagle to KiCad]
+* [https://github.com/Robotips/uConfig Robotips/uConfig], datasheet pinout extractor and library Stylizer
+* [https://github.com/jamescarruthers/BezierTrack BezierTrack KiCad plugin]
+* [https://github.com/mitxela/kicad-round-tracks mitxela/kicad-round-tracks], track rounding plugin for KiCad
+* [https://github.com/ian-ross/kicad-plugins ian-ross/kicad-plugins], reproduce schematic layout in PCB layout
+* [https://github.com/bennymeg/JLC-Plugin-for-KiCad JLC-Plugin-for-KiCad]
+* [https://github.com/4ms/4ms-kicad-script 4ms-kicad-script], includes ''makefp'' to create a Eurorack faceplate from a PCB.
 === KiCad format SDIY files ===
@@ Line 87: / Line 109: @@
 * [http://www.noniandjim.com/Jim/SynthKiCadBlocks/SynthBlocks.html KiCad Synth DIY Synthblocks]
 === GitHub ===
-* [https://github.com/smrl/vactrol_sequencer smrl/vactrol_sequencer], vactrol-based video sequencer schematics/gerbers
+* [https://github.com/smrl/vactrol_sequencer smrl/vactrol_sequencer], [[vactrol]]-based video [[sequencer]] schematics/gerbers
 * [https://github.com/russellmcc/russell_kicad russellmcc/russell_kicad]
-* [https://github.com/nebs/eurocad nebs/eurocad], A set of KiCad components and footprints I use in Eurorack modules.
+* [https://github.com/nebs/eurocad nebs/eurocad], A set of KiCad components and footprints used in [[Eurorack]] modules.
 * [https://github.com/AudioMorphology/Europi AudioMorphology/Europi], Opensource sequencer software for Raspberry Pi equipped with Eurorack-compatible hardware
+* [https://github.com/dchwebb?tab=repositories dchwebb] includes some Eurorack components, footprints and 3d models
 === Gerber file viewers  ===
 * [http://www.gerbview.com GerbView]
-* [http://gerblook.org/ GerbLook], render, display and share images of your PCB design.
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180417124528/http://www.gerblook.org/ GerbLook], render, display and share images of your PCB design.
 * [http://gerbv.gpleda.org/ Gerbv], a Gerber (RS-274X) viewer

KiCad PCB EDA Suite: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:44, 9 April 2024

Contents

Features

Quick start hints

KiCad project manager

Eeschema

CvPcb

Pcbnew

Other tools

Libraries

Version control

Basic workflow

See also

References

Further reading

External links

Video tutorials

Further libraries

Utilities

KiCad format SDIY files

GitHub

Gerber file viewers

Navigation menu

KiCad PCB EDA Suite: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:44, 9 April 2024

Features

Quick start hints

KiCad project manager

Eeschema

CvPcb

Pcbnew

Other tools

Libraries

Version control

Basic workflow

See also

References

Further reading

External links

Video tutorials

Further libraries

Utilities

KiCad format SDIY files

GitHub

Gerber file viewers

Navigation menu

Search