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 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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.