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KiCad

From Smithnet Wiki

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.