Creating a New KiCad Project

In this section, we will cover how to create a new project from scratch in KiCad. Understanding how to start a project correctly is essential for a smooth workflow and project organization. We will also explore how KiCad automatically sets up project files and folders, giving you a clean environment to begin your PCB design.

Creating a New Project from Scratch

KiCad offers two primary methods to start a new project: from scratch or from a template. In this lecture, we will focus on creating a new project from scratch. This is useful when you need full control over the project setup or when no suitable template is available for your specific design requirements.

Steps to Create a New Project:

Navigate to the File Menu:
- Open the KiCad Project Manager.
- Click on File → New Project → New Project.
Choose a Location for the Project:
- In the file explorer that pops up, select the directory where you want to save your project. It’s a good idea to create a dedicated directory for all your KiCad projects.
- For this example, we will save the project in a folder named Kicad Projects/Pro Third Edition.
Name Your Project:
- Enter a meaningful name for your project, such as example_new_project. This will help you easily identify the project later on.
Create a New Folder for the Project:
- Ensure that the option "Create a new folder for the project" is selected. KiCad will automatically create a folder with the project name and save all associated files within that folder. This keeps your project organized and makes it easier to manage multiple projects.
- If this option is not selected, you’ll need to create a folder manually before saving the project.
Save the Project:
- Once you’ve chosen the location and name, click the Save button. KiCad will now create the project folder with the necessary files for you to begin.

What Happens After Project Creation?

After saving, KiCad automatically generates several key files within your newly created project folder:

Project File (.kicad_pro):
- This file contains important project information, such as design settings, paths, and project configurations. It is used to open and manage the project from the KiCad Project Manager.
Schematic File (.kicad_sch):
- The schematic file is where you’ll create and manage the electrical schematic of your design. It is initially empty, waiting for you to begin placing components and creating connections.
PCB Layout File (.kicad_pcb):
- This file will contain your PCB layout once you’ve designed it. Like the schematic file, it starts empty and will be populated as you place components and route traces.

Inspecting the Project Files

KiCad stores its project files in human-readable text format. You can open these files in any text editor (e.g., Atom, Notepad++) to inspect their contents.

Project File (.kicad_pro):
- This file includes the basic project metadata, design settings, and configurations. For example:
```
(project
  (name "example_new_project")
  (version "2024-10-19")
  (settings ...)
)
```
- It contains high-level information like the design rules, board settings, and tool configurations.
Schematic File (.kicad_sch):
- The schematic file is initially a blank file that contains headers and basic formatting information, ready to be populated with components and connections. Example content:
```
(kicad_sch
  (version 20211014)
  (generator eeschema)
  ...
)
```
PCB File (.kicad_pcb):
- The PCB layout file is similar in structure to the schematic file and contains all the board-specific information once you start designing your PCB. Initially, it’s a blank canvas ready for component placement and routing. Example content:
```
(kicad_pcb
  (version 20211014)
  (host pcbnew)
  ...
)
```

Next Steps: Working in the Schematic Editor

With your project structure in place, you are now ready to begin designing your schematic. Here’s how to proceed:

Open the Schematic Editor:
- In the KiCad Project Manager, click the Schematic Editor button or go to Tools → Schematic Editor.
- The Schematic Editor is where you’ll add components, draw wires, and create the electrical connections necessary for your design.
Start Designing the Schematic:
- Begin by placing components like resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits from the symbol library.
- Connect the components using wires and labels to define the electrical connections in your design.

Preview: Creating a New Project from a Template

In the next section, we will explore how to create a new project using a template. Using templates can significantly speed up the project setup process, especially for designs that require specific configurations or layouts. Templates come pre-configured with standard components, layout preferences, and design rules, providing a solid starting point for your project.

Stay tuned for the next lecture, where we will go through the process of creating a project from a template and discuss how to customize and manage templates in KiCad.

This completes the step-by-step guide to creating a new project from scratch in KiCad. Following this process ensures that your project is organized and ready for schematic capture and PCB layout.