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:
- ?
- ?
- ?
- ?
- ?
- ?
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.