Design with KiCad

Explore KiCad's symbols, footprints, and 3D models, and learn how they map schematics to board layouts, including viewing 3D representations to plan component placement.

KiCad teaches printed circuit boards as non-conductive substrates that host components and tracks, provide electrical connections and isolation, and support components with copper layers, vias, footprints, and solder mask.

Explore common PCB types: FR four with TG numbers (3140, 5160, 7180) and 1.6 mm two-layer boards, aluminum-core for heat, and Rogers for high-frequency design, focusing on impedance and noise.

Explore PCB layers and copper tracks, from single or two-layer boards to multi-layer designs up to 16 layers, and learn how surface, bottom, and inner tracks connect components.

Explore tracks, vias, and plated through holes in a printed circuit board, including copper layers, etching, mounting holes, and how vias connect top and bottom layers.

Explore blind vias that connect the surface to an inner layer and buried vias that connect inner layers, alongside through vias in a four-layer board.

Explore surface mount (smt) and through hole (tht) components, their placement on top or bottom layers, and soldering considerations for home and small-shop pcb designs.

Explore PCB design beyond connecting parts by aligning with RoHS and IPC design standards, including IPC 2221, 2223, 1791, and 6012 for rigid and flexible boards.

Download KiCad installation files for Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu, access official documentation and release notes, and explore previous releases and version updates.

Install KiCad on macOS by downloading the stable release version 6 from kicad.org and following the installation procedure shown in the video, noting that macOS 10.15 is required.

Install KiCad 7.0.0 on Windows, accept default settings for libraries (schematic, footprint, 3d models), optionally install FreeCAD, and enable automatic plugin updates.

Learn to install KiCad on Ubuntu using the software manager or the terminal, add a PPA for version seven, update sources, and verify the installation.

Download the latest KiCad symbol, footprint, and 3D model libraries from kicad.org, unzip them into your project folder, and prepare to install and use them in upcoming videos.

Explore how KiCad's installed 3D models look by opening the 3D models folder, launching a 3D viewer, and inspecting components like batteries, LEDs, and resistor arrays.

Explore obtaining third-party KiCad libraries from KiCad.org and suppliers like Digikey and Sparkfun, then download, extract, and organize footprints and symbols for installation.

Install and add symbol and footprint libraries from GitHub into KiCad global libraries, then migrate legacy libraries to the KiCad six symbol format for use across projects.

Add footprints by selecting a footprint library, global or project-specific, and assign them to your KiCad project; ensure Digikey footprints are available and consider cross-system library portability.

Explore a KiCad demo project to see a multi-page schematic with hierarchy, footprints, symbols, and the 3D viewer, preparing you for the course's upcoming projects.

Explore the KiCad project manager, create and open projects from templates, and learn to switch between the schematic editor and PCB layout editor.

Open a KiCad demo project in the Project Manager to inspect the schematic, PCB, and symbols. Explore components and footprints, and preview the board with the 3D viewer.

Explore the KiCad project manager, file menu, and shortcuts for projects and archives, and configure text editor and paths for symbols, footprints, and 3D models; access help and GitLab.

Explore KiCad's project manager components, including schematic, symbol, PCB, and footprint editors, plus the Gerber viewer, image converter, calculator tools, drawing sheet editor, and plugin content manager.

Configure KiCad preferences to tune anti-aliasing, text editor, pdf viewer, and interface options, plus hotkeys and icon scale, while managing sessions, autosave, backups, and version control.

Explore KiCad preferences for mouse and touchpad, adjust pan and zoom behavior, center the screen during zoom, and customize drag and hotkey options for efficient schematic and pcb editing.

Explore how to use KiCad's drawing sheet editor to customize templates, set page information, and export sheet data across schematic and PCB projects.

Convert a bitmap logo into KiCad symbols or footprints with the image converter, then add them to symbol and footprint libraries, including silkscreen considerations for schematic and pcb layouts.

Explore KiCad's calculator tools for regulator resistor calculations, RF attenuators, resistor value standards and tolerances, and track width and spacing to support impedance, manufacturing, and board classes.

learn the schematic editor in KiCad by building a small voltage regulator circuit, using 7805 and 7809, exploring menus, datasheets, and footprints in Eeschema and pcbnew.

Explore a voltage regulator project with 7805/7809, including input and output capacitors and indicator LEDs. Learn to prepare an E schematic, assemble parts from the inventory, and plan output connectors.

Create a new KiCad project, define the voltage regulator schematic and the printed circuit board, and configure project details including title, date, revision, company, layout size, and export options.

Add and place circuit symbols in Eeschema, including 7805 and 7809 regulators, capacitors, resistors, and LEDs, then use copy-paste and U/R/C naming conventions to organize.

Move schematic components with click-to-select, drag, and rotate, then adjust the grid options to align parts precisely, using sizes like 1.27 mm and 0.25 mm.

Position and align the L7809 and L7805 regulators in KiCad, placing capacitors, resistors, and an LED, while practicing add, move, rotate, and grid alignment for clean schematic wiring.

Design with KiCad: add power supply and ground in eeschema by wiring a 12V input, ground, and 7809 output, and placing 0.33 µF and 0.1 µF capacitors.

Learn how KiCad's electrical rules check spotlights errors in your schematic, add power and ground flags, and fix connections to produce an error-free circuit from scratch.

Design with KiCad shows how to add connectors, such as screw terminals, wire power and ground, and use electrical rules checks and automatic annotation for a safe schematic.

Explore KiCad symbol properties in the schematic editor, assign footprints, view datasheet links, and manage pin numbers, names, and visibility while updating symbols from libraries.

Explore symbol sub-menus in KiCad, covering grid snapping, undo, rotate, copy, and mirror operations; edit reference designators, add values and footprints, and manage body styles and de Morgan representations.

Learn to edit and update symbols in KiCad using the symbol editor, manage datasheets, apply paste special options to assign unique reference designators, and navigate symbol shortcuts and grid measurements.

Learn to organize KiCad schematics with net labels, including global and hierarchical connections, and mastering wiring, duplication, and mirroring to ensure clean electrical nets.

Correct power warnings by matching nets to 12V, label connectors clearly, and create labeled sections for connectors, regulators, analog, and digital to keep KiCad schematics tidy.

Navigate KiCad's hierarchical sheets by using sheet properties to name sheets, link to another schematic file (a kicad_schematic), and connect components across pages via hierarchy, global, and one page labels.

Navigate the KiCad right toolbar in part 5, import hierarchical sheet pins, create and place hierarchical labels, and manage images, symbols, and rule checks for error-free designs.

navigate the upper toolbar in KiCad, using save, print, and page settings, plus plotting and find options to locate pins across sheets with postscript, pdf, svg, or dxf output.

Explore the footprint assignment tool and bulk edit fields for schematic symbols, adjust capacitor values, and generate a bill of materials in csv for the pcb project using pcbnew.

Master the upper toolbar by configuring schematic annotation styles, text properties, and electrical rules checks, and explore net classes, power nets, and basic scripting options for KiCad projects.

Explore KiCad menus, save and revision control practices, import and export schematics and netlists, and use editing and navigation tools to start your KiCad projects.

Explore KiCad's schematic editor preferences, including rendering options, grid and snap settings, visibility of hidden pins and fields, and automatic symbol field placement to streamline schematic design.

Learn to edit text and graphics properties, adjust orientation, text size, and line width, and apply filters for reference designators before moving to the footprint assignment and PCB editor.

Assign footprints to every schematic component using the footprint assignment tool, ensuring the PCB matches the parts. Filter footprint list by library and type, selecting through-hole or surface-mount options.

In KiCad, assign footprints to capacitors by selecting axial, radial, or disc types and matching sizes, using 3d models to verify, and create missing footprints later in the footprint editor.

Assign footprints to LEDs D1 and D2 and a 5.08 mm screw-terminal, view footprints and 3d models, and pick through-hole resistors such as 1 kΩ, ensuring consistent horizontal orientation.

Assign footprints for l7805 and l7809 in the to-220 through-hole package by checking the datasheet for correct options and matching against the 3d model.

learn how to create and edit a symbol in KiCad's symbol editor, including drawing a rectangle, adding pins with input and output types, naming conventions, and saving to a library.

Open pcbnew, update the board from schematic changes by relinking and replacing footprints, then check front copper, back copper, front silk screen, back silk screen, and edge cuts.

Explore moving, rotating and editing footprint properties in KiCad, including reference designator, silk screen and fabrication attributes, footprint lock, undo, and through-hole versus surface-mount options.

Adjust footprint properties, including clearance overrides and 3d model alignment, to ensure the distance between the PCB surface and the base of the Led is correct.

Adjust pad clearance and solder mask rules in KiCad, learn about solder paste application, and configure zone connections (solid or thermal relief) for improved signal integrity.

Place footprints close to their schematics counterparts, align U1C1D1, R2, and C3 near each other, and bring the 12V supply (J1) near the connected parts before finalizing borders.

Place and rotate components in KiCad to optimize rats nest connections, align to the 2.54 mm grid, and position parts at the edges while checking with the 3d view.

Evaluate component placement in KiCad by rotating parts, avoiding intersections, and using the rat's nest to optimize layout, while reserving edge positions for power and LEDs and considering heatsink clearance.

Align parts toward the board edges and draw the outline on the edge cuts layer to define PCB borders, then preview in the 3d viewer.

Learn to create curved PCB edges in KiCad using the draw arc tool, duplicating four arcs, snapping to grid, and fine-tuning placement to meet edge clearance standards.

Design with KiCad: learn to make curved edges by drawing arcs, place and rotate parts, refine with line and delete tools, and preview results in the 3D viewer.

Learn to run the design rule check in KiCad, fix edge cuts and unconnected nets, and add footprints like heatsinks and test points to complete the board.

Learn to use the root tracks tool to connect nets and ground, size traces by current with a calculator, and configure net classes with minimum widths and clearances in KiCad.

Connect the ground net on the back copper layer in KiCad and verify front and back copper via 3D viewer. Track net rooting as pads connect to reduce unrooted nets.

Learn KiCad routing by connecting pads and nets, performing design rule checks, managing front and back copper with vias, and verifying routes in a 3D view.

Run the design rule check to verify the board and address two warnings, including co-located drilled holes on front and back and 90-degree routing considerations.

Resolve design rule check warnings by inspecting unconnected ends, reconnecting front and back copper traces, confirming with 3D view, and running a DC check before final tidy up.

Explore vias and track tuning in KiCad, learning how via diameter and hole size affect copper on pads, impedance, and skew for differential pairs.

Create a filled zone connected to ground on the back copper layer and explore front layer fills for 12V. Adjust properties, clearances, and thermal relief while using keep out areas.

Explore KiCad's drawing and text tools to create boards with lines, arcs, rectangles, circles, and polygons, then view in 3D and place text on the back silk screen.

Utilize the remaining right toolbar tools in KiCad to add linear dimension measurements, apply a layer alignment target, and place an origin point for drill files and component placement.

Explore the left toolbar in KiCad, switch units, view rat's nest, and toggle layers, outlines, zones, pads, vias, and tracks for clearer board design.

Explore the top toolbar in KiCad, leveraging net classes, predefined widths, and vias to route from existing tracks, manage grid and zoom, and save edit board setup for Gerber outputs.

Run a design rule check, fix edge-cut issues, then plot Gerber and drill files from selected layers to the project folder and review them in the Gerber viewer.

Review the Gerber files in the viewer, inspect front and back copper layers and drill files, and verify solder mask, paste layers, and thermal reliefs before sending to the manufacturer.

Explore the board layer editor in KiCad, configure layers, assign front and back signals, manage power and ground, and handle multi-layer stack ups with up to nine layers.

Explore the physical stack up and impedance control, including dielectric constant and loss tangent, material defaults, and how silkscreen, copper, and prepreg choices are sent to manufacturers.

Choose copper finish options, such as immersion gold, consider castellated pads and edge connectors, and understand solder mask and solder paste implications for spacing and strength.

Set text and graphics properties, including default sizes and text fields, and apply design rules for solder mask, vias, zone fills, and copper clearances to streamline KiCad boards.

Learn to set up net classes in KiCad, adjust clearance, track width, and via size, and apply them to nets six A and 12 V with design rule checks.

Learn how KiCad's design rule checks assign errors and warnings to issues like shorts, tracks crossing, and clearance violations, and how to set defaults in the pcb editor.

Navigate the KiCad file menu to save, revise, export, or zip projects, import netlists or spectra sessions, and handle edge cuts, 3d exports, gerber outputs, drill files, and BOM.

Explore the edit and view menus in KiCad, mastering undo and paste special, scope-based property changes, layer visibility, and global deletion for efficient PCB design.

Master KiCad's place menu and auto place footprint workflows, then use the inspect net and design rule checker features to verify board constraints.

Explore KiCad's interactive router options, comparing the three modes: highlight collisions, show, and workaround. Select options like jump over obstacles, remove redundant tracks, optimize path connections, and support auto routing.

Explore KiCad pcb editor preferences, including rendering engine, grid options, net name visibility, pad numbers, clearance outlines, and routing-related display settings, plus edit options like rotate and flip.

Explore KiCad preferences for pad movement restrictions, snapping options, rat's nest visuals, and track editing modes, including 45-degree dragging, free dragging, and zone refill behavior.

Adjust KiCad color settings for inner copper, back copper, and back adhesive; double-click to change or reset, and review origin options from page, grid, or drill with the x axis.

Explore KiCad PCB layers, focusing on front copper, back copper, and two-layer boards; manage solder paste areas, front silk, back silk, solder mask, edge cuts, and fabrication notes.

Explore the KiCad footprint editor to edit existing footprints or create new ones, adjusting pads, sizes, orientation, and copper layers, and verify measurements with a digital caliper.

Execute the KiCad 6 design workflow: create a project, design schematics, assign footprints, perform electrical and design rule checks, update the PCB, and export Gerber and drill files for manufacturing.

Design your first KiCad motor controller board around the L298 and L297, explore front and back copper layers and silkscreens, and download the L298/L297 datasheets for reference.

Learn to read the L298N data sheet and apply footprint, decoupling, and fast diode recommendations for a two-phase bipolar stepper motor driver, with practical PCB design tips.

Learn to set up a KiCad project and add components to the Eeschema schematic, including Schottky diodes, capacitors, resistors, and L298/L297 for a two-phase bipolar stepper motor.

Download the l298n symbol, footprint, and 3d model from the snap website for KiCad. Log in, add libraries, and assign the footprint to the symbol while integrating the 3d model.

Design with KiCad guides wiring VZ to pin 4 and VSS to pin 9. Add decoupling capacitors and form the osc net with R1 22 kohm and C1 3.3 nF.

Connect screw terminal connectors J1, J2, and J4 in KiCad, wiring G1 to VZ and J2 to VSS, align motor windings to outputs, place Zener diodes, and save the schematic.

Wire zener diodes to the L298, align and name D1–D8, and connect them to ground, Vs, and Vss while tidying schematics and verifying ERC rules.

Master wiring L297 and L298 in KiCad by assigning S1 and S2, verifying nets and ground, and using net labels to tidy connections for the next lecture.

Connect remaining schematic nets in KiCad, label signals like V reference and home, verify pin connections, and resolve zero rule check errors.

Tidy up the schematics in KiCad by moving parts, aligning lines, and naming the motor and logic power supplies, connectors, and the main control unit.

Assign footprints to schematic symbols in KiCad using the footprint assignment tool, convert legacy entries to lib_id format, and map components to footprints before opening the PCB editor.

Place footprints relative to the schematic by updating the Pcbnew board, then move, rotate, unlock, and align parts, inspect the 3D view for missing models, and prepare for final placement.

Position footprints relative to each other to optimize ground connections and spacing, adjusting components like rs1, rs2, c1, c3, and r1 for compact routing.

Position footprints and connectors precisely in KiCad by adjusting component placement, aligning groups, and balancing space for routing, while setting board edges and curved edge considerations for the casing.

Rotate footprints in KiCad and test placement and intersections. Relate the layout to schematics, adjust control signals, and plan borders and mounting holes within a size constraint.

Explore edge cut shaping in KiCad by aligning connectors to the board edge and drawing edge cuts with the line tool to add mounting holes.

Use the arc tool to form curved edges, align to the 0.1 grid, duplicate with Ctrl D and rotate with Ctrl R, then check the 3D view and run DRC.

Finalize the board outline in KiCad by deleting outer lines, preserving curved edges, and ensuring lines are perfectly closed in the 3D view to meet four-millimeter edge distance standards.

Place mounting holes in KiCad by adding footprints, selecting a 2.5 mm size, and aligning them, while managing silkscreen and reference visibility and reviewing the 3D model.

Create and assign net classes in KiCad for motor windings and power supply, set class three (0.31 mm width, 0.31 mm clearance, 0.45 mm drill), and apply 12 V nets.

Connect the ground to the power supply on the back copper layer to carry returning current. Ensure track width is 0.4 and run the design rule check toward zero warnings.

In KiCad, route VZ and VSS on the front copper, then reroute via back copper to avoid collisions, verify connections, and reduce unrooted lines before wiring the motor windings.

Continue routing the board, fix design rule checker errors, optimize connections by flipping diodes, use front and back copper, and efficiently finish remaining unrooted lines.

Apply routing rules to finish tying together remaining tracks, decide front or back copper, and use show settings to reveal routing options while saving.

Route the remaining unrooted traces and connectors between the L2 98297 and J3 in KiCad, using the X root track shortcut and vias.

Continue routing the board, manage 15 pending routes, apply design rules, switch between back and front copper, place vias, and work around congested areas to finish remaining traces.

Route the remaining board connections in KiCad by placing vias and using routing options to finish the last unrooted tracks on the front and back copper.

Route the remainder of the board in KiCad by routing on back copper, deleting this, continuing, and pursuing a better route before the next lecture.

Route the remainder of the board in KiCad by routing on the back copper and on the front, placing traces step by step, and save progress as you proceed.

Add the L298 3D model to its footprint in KiCad, importing from SnapEDA, then position, rotate, and scale the model, verify in the 3D viewer, and tidy connector labels.

Finalize the board routing and run the design rule check to fix unconnected tracks, clearance violations, and courtyard overlaps; review the 3d model for the 9298.

Learn to label J1 and J3 connectors in KiCad using front silkscreen text for 5V, 12V, VSS and X, Y, Z references, with proper sizing and centering.

Design with KiCad teaches labeling the J-4 motor windings connector, mapping G4 pins, and adding back silkscreen text and a logo for a two-phase bipolar stepper motor controller.

Generate Gerber and drill files in KiCad after double-checking the schematic and PCB, save plot files and drill files in separate folders, and zip them for sending to your manufacturer.

View Gerber and drill files in the Gerber viewer via the project manager, inspect mounting holes, pads, and pins, and perform a final check before sending to two manufacturers.

Export a bill of materials as CSV from your KiCad project, then request quotes from PCBWay and LCPCB to manufacture a two-layer 1.6 mm FR-4 board.

Learn how to send boards to PCBWay for manufacturing, specify which parts are unique, choose assembly options, prepare the bill of materials, upload Gerber files, and submit a complete order.

Upload KiCad Gerber files to JLCPCB for a 80 by 90 mm two-layer board and preview copper sides. Log in, add to cart, and place the order to manufacture.

Design with KiCad guides you to revise the two-phase bipolar stepper motor project, increasing input to 46 V and winding current to 2 A, while practicing manual routing.

Use KiCad net classes and the calculator to design for higher voltages, adjust track width and spacing, update vias and footprints, and run the design rule checker.

Demonstrate KiCad board fabrication by comparing 3D viewer photos with the manufactured board, including surface mount and through-hole parts, while generating Gerber files and reviewing the BOM.

Practice creating schematics in Eeschema by replicating an Arduino Nano V3, including components, connections, and project information, with guidance on import, comments, and upcoming footprint assignment.

Explore footprint assignment tool for KiCad project, review footprints for capacitors, resistors, LEDs, and ICs, and use the same 30-component list with sizes 805 (2012 metric) and 603 (1608 metric).

Explore how to view schematics in pcbnew, update the pcb board, and understand rat's nest, nets, and auto routing to align mounting holes and edge connectors.

Download and install a free routing tool for auto routing, import DSN files via KiCad integration with free routing.org, and export Spectra sessions.

See how the auto router finishes routing on a KiCad board, leaving unrooted lines zero, and learn to use auto routing alongside free routing for revisions.