KiCad

Notes

Tutorial here

General 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

Shortcut keys:

• M : Move
• R : Rotate
• G : Drag
• P : Add power
• L : Add net label (wires with same label are implicitly connected)

Options:

• Use PWR_FLAG if necessary.
• Use netclasses to define specific design rules for different connections (eg widths for Pwr or Data).

Common footprints to use:

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PCB Layout

Shortcut keys:

• M : Move
• R : Rotate
• F : Flip to other side of board
• V : Add a via
• SHIFT-SPACE : toggle to 45 deg mode

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:

• "Add a filled zone" button -> define a closed shape
• Edit → Fill All Zones"
• These have to be manually updated when components are moved

Export

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