Design with KiCad (Basic)

Download KiCad from its official website, install it on Windows, and explore the main modules—schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D viewer—for a basic setup.

Explore the KiCad project manager interface, featuring a four-section layout with a project tree and launcher buttons, plus editors for schematics, pcb, and footprints.

Learn how to set up and configure KiCad before design, including configuring paths, managing symbol and footprint libraries, adjusting preferences, and setting language for project workflows.

Design a KiCad test board for the TI TPS 564257 regulator with 5–12 V input and 1.05 V output; plan center IC, inputs/outputs, 3.5 mm mounting holes, and test points.

Explore the KiCad symbol editor to create symbols, manage pins, set symbol properties, and perform ERC checks, while navigating symbol and footprint libraries and datasheet links.

Create a new library in KiCad's symbol editor, add a symbol for the inductor L1 from Wurth Electronic, and set the grid to 1.27 mm for reliable pin placement.

Place two pins on the inductor symbol as passive pins, copy arcs to form a half circle, draw lines for the iron core, and adjust the grid.

Add rich symbol information in KiCad by using the Symbol Properties dialog to enter inductance, current rating, datasheet link, and manufacturer, control field visibility, and save changes for BOM use.

Create a six-pin IC symbol in the KiCad symbol editor by configuring pin properties from the datasheet and arranging pins by function for readable schematics, with manufacturer and datasheet metadata.

Design with KiCad (Basic) teaches creating symbols in the KiCad editor. Practice builds symbols for an inductor and the PAM 2310 buck converter using datasheet pin assignments and symbol properties.

Learn to use the KiCad footprint editor to design footprints, manage layers and grids, and transfer footprints to PCBs through its integrated menus, toolbars, and appearance manager.

Discover how KiCad uses layers to define copper, silkscreen, solder mask, and negative layers like paste mask and stencil, with the appearance manager to control visibility and fiducials.

Plan footprint creation in design, detailing pad dimensions and spacing, and set the origin at center. Create a KiCad footprint for a 6.6 by 6.6 mm inductor with two pads.

Create a new footprint library and footprint for an inductor in KiCad; define a 7050 SMD footprint with pads, solder mask, paste mask, silkscreen lines, and outline layers.

Learn to add a 3D model to a footprint in KiCad, use the 3D viewer to verify alignment and enclosure clearance, and configure model placement from the footprint editor.

Learn how to connect a schematic symbol to its footprint in KiCad by selecting a footprint from the library, linking it in the symbol properties, and saving the changes.

Create an IC footprint with KiCad's footprint wizard, applying land pattern, solder mask, and paste rules from the datasheet. Add silkscreen, fab outline, and a 3d model.

Practice creating footprints for inductors and a dc converter in KiCad, design land patterns and pads, handle solder and paste masks, and link footprints to symbols with 3D models.

Explore how KiCad organizes schematics from single-sheet to multi-sheet designs, using flat, simple, and complex hierarchies with root and sub sheets, global labels, and hierarchical labels.

Create a new KiCad project by selecting a location, naming the project, and generating the project folder with schematics, PCB, BOM, and backups. Explore the project tree and editors.

Master KiCad's schematic editor interface, from project integration and hierarchical schematics to toolbars, annotations, and net labeling, with schematic exporting and BOM generation, simulation, and multi-sheet design workflows.

Learn to configure KiCad schematic design setups and drawing sheet details, including format, BOM field templates, ERC rules, net classes, bus aliases, text variables, and title block page setup.

Place and edit symbols in a KiCad schematic using reference design, add a converter IC and passive components, assign mpn and footprints, and use shortcuts to copy, move, rotate, flip.

Add wires to connect pins in the schematic, starting from the pin circle and ending at another, using the W hotkey or clicks; use junctions and net labels for accuracy.

Enhance KiCad schematics by adding mounting holes with footprints, labeling nets such as vin and gnd and en, pg, fb, sw, using dnp parts, and inserting informative text.

Perform an electrical rules check in KiCad to validate the schematic, using power flag symbols to drive VIN, VOUT, and GND and fix errors.

Design a KiCad schematic using a reference design for a dc step-down regulator from Diodes, including an inductor, connector, test pins, and symbols and footprints, then run ERC.

Explore the KiCad PCB Editor interface, access methods, and essential tools for layout design, including layers, nets, rat's nest, footprints, tracks, and design rule checks.

Master KiCad PCB setup by configuring the board stackup, design rules, and layer visibility, and selecting finish, paste, and silkscreen options to streamline layout and manufacturing.

Create a board outline in KiCad from scratch using mechanical requirements to define a 70 by 50 mm rectangle with 5 mm corner arcs and four 3.2 mm mounting holes.

Import schematic into pcb editor, place components, and use cross probing to link footprints and symbols; set 0.1 mm grid and adjust mounting holes per mechanical requirements.

Route and manage PCB tracks using net classes, set default and power nets, and plan copper zones to optimize power, ground, and high-current paths in a two-layer design.

Add copper zones to connect the VIN power net on the top layer. Adjust clearance, minimum width, and thermal relief, then extend GND zones to the bottom layer.

Place stitching vias to connect GND copper zones for EMC, create via arrays, hide designators, add silkscreen text, and run a DRC with a 3D view on a two-layer board.

Learn to design a PCB from schematic by setting up board parameters, outlining the board, placing components, routing with tracks and copper zones, and performing a design rule check.

Export KiCad schematics by printing, using the print dialog and preview to choose black-and-white or color outputs, color schemes, page size, orientation, margins, PDF; plot offers an alternative.

Learn to export schematics from KiCad using the plot function, select formats such as PDF, SVG, or DXF, and set options like page size and line width.

Export your pcb layout to pdf from KiCad by printing or plotting, selecting copper, mask, paste, and silkscreen layers, choosing color or black and white, and adjusting scale.

Export Gerber files from KiCad, including copper layers, solder mask, paste mask, silkscreen, edge.cut, and drill and component placement files, and preview with the Gerber viewer.

Export a bill of materials from KiCad using the interactive HTML BOM plugin. Install, configure fields such as description, MPN, and manufacturer, and generate a customizable BOM with board drawings.

Master KiCad through a four-part workflow—schematic symbol design, footprint creation, schematic capture, and PCB layout—plus exporting Gerber, BOM, and schematics.