📄️ Concepts, Best Practices, and Insights
KiCad provides a suite of applications that help both beginner and advanced PCB designers move seamlessly from schematic capture to PCB layout and manufacturing. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about KiCad’s key features, design principles, and best practices to get the most out of this software.
📄️ Project Manager
In this section, we delve into the KiCad Project Manager, the central hub for managing your PCB design projects. This guide will explain how the Project Manager operates, its interface, and how to utilize its tools effectively for intermediate and advanced PCB designers.
📄️ KiCad Applications
In this section, we will explore the individual applications within the KiCad software suite. Each application has a distinct role in the PCB design process, and mastering these tools is key to developing high-quality, professional-grade printed circuit boards. In this documentation, we’ll take a guided tour through the Schematic Editor, PCB Editor, Symbol Editor, Footprint Editor, and several additional tools within KiCad. We’ll also highlight best practices and advanced tips for each tool.
📄️ 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 KiCad Project from a Template
In this section, we’ll focus on creating a new project from a template in KiCad. Templates can significantly speed up your workflow, especially when designing PCBs that follow a common structure, such as Arduino shields, Raspberry Pi expansion boards, or other standardized designs. KiCad includes several built-in templates, and you can also create your own from past projects for reuse.
📄️ Configuring Paths
In this section, we'll focus on an essential aspect of KiCad’s configuration: setting and managing paths. The correct configuration of paths ensures that KiCad can locate important files like symbols, footprints, 3D models, and templates. Understanding how to manage these paths effectively will help you optimize your design workflow, especially if you are working with large projects or on systems with limited storage.
📄️ Lessons Learned
In this Lessons Learned chapter, we summarize the essential concepts, best practices, and key definitions that have emerged throughout the discussion on KiCad and PCB design. By reflecting on these topics, you'll solidify your understanding of the core principles of KiCad, how to structure projects effectively, and the advanced tools and workflows available to speed up your design process.