KiCad

Notes

Tutorial here

Workflow:

• Draw Schematic
  • Create symbols if needed
• Assign Footprints to symbols
  • Create new footprints if needed
• File → Schematic Setup…​ → Electrical Rules → Violation Severity
• Tools → Update PCB from Schematic…​
• Design PCB
• Inspect → Design Rules Checker
• 3D View to check

Schematic Capture

Common footprints to use:

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PCB Layout

Shortcut keys:

• M : Move
• R : Rotate

Layers:

• Edge.Cuts : Outline of board
• F.Cu / B.Cu : Copper traces
• F.Silkscreen / B.Silkscreen
• F.Mask / B.Mask

Design of a new footprint:

• Exact part outline drawn on the F.Fab layer
• A slightly larger outline on the F.Silkscreen layer
• A courtyard on the F.Courtyard layer surrounding the entire footprint to prevent overlaps with other footprints.

When adding text to a silkscreen, variable subsitution is available, eg:

• ${TITLE}
• ${REVISION}

Add fill zones for groundplanes, etc, bases on net labels.

Export

• Export Gerber files
• Export drill file
• Zip up the exported files and send to fabrication house.