KiCAD Home Page

[last updated: 2022-08-24]

(go to:) Installation:
(go to:) Libraries
(go to:) edit a schematic
(go to:) create a component
(go to:) edit a component
(go to:) save component to new library
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• Disclaimer: These procedures are a continual work-in-progress. Every time I use kiCAD I discover errors or new things.
  Some of this is due to changes/upgrades as the software has evolved that I have not incorporated into these notes.
  But mostly caveat emptor for anything on a site developed by an untrained newbie deep into the learning curve.
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• Introduction:
  • kiCAD is an open-source and free software package that allows creating professional-looking schematics.
    It also allows creating circuit board (PCB) layouts.
  • Libraries are collections of data for components.
    There are 3 types of libraries:
    Symbol libraries, for creating schematics,
    Footprint libraries - for creating PCB layouts,
    3d model libraries - for visualizing the actual PCB

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• Open/Startup:
  • Open kiCad (usually double-click desktop icon)
  It will open to the project page, and will load the last project you edited.
  • Create a new project:
    • (on the upper menu bar) File > New Project > New Project
    • It opens a Create Project box. This is basically a Save-As box, where you name your project, and define where you want it saved in your file system.
      I highly recommend creating a separate folder for each project.
      Initially, 3 files will be created for each project:
      a .pro file, your main project file,
      a .sch file, which is the schematic capture file,
      and a .pcb file, which will be your pcb layout.
  • Edit an existing project:
    File > Open Project > [double-click on desired project folder] > [double-click on .pro file

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