Kicad EDA is an open source (GPL) software package for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and printed circuit board artwork.
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votes
1answer
35 views
Kicad: How to add a Filled Zone around a Net with a single pin?
I am designing a PCB in Kicad and I need to add a filled zone around a single pin (pin needs to become part of the zone, not an island).
For some reason, when the "Copper Zone" tool provides me with ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Signal bus in Kicad
I would like to know how does one design a signal bus in schematic in KiCad. I only worked in Eagle before and I cannot figure it out. E.g. - I have 5 digital signals going to another part of circuit ...
3
votes
5answers
147 views
Elliptical board edges in KiCAD or CircuitPro?
I am trying to use KiCAD to design a PCB which must fit into an existing case. One side of the PCB needs to be shaped as a specific elliptical arc segment. I can figure out the parameters of the ...
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0answers
32 views
Save KiCad Design Rules as default
When I edit my KiCad design rules they get saved to the PCB layout for that project, but is there a way to save them as the default so that they are always that for every project?
2
votes
1answer
145 views
OSH Park setup for KiCad
Anyone know the exact setup needed to send KiCad files to OSH Park? Specifically how to set the trace widths correctly?
2
votes
1answer
203 views
Kicad Eeschema 'Power Symbol' with local scope?
AFAIK, Power symbols in Eeschema have global scope. What is the best way to achieve local scope power rails? The only one I can think of is using normal net labels or hierarchical label.
When does ...
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0answers
84 views
'Footprint Field' visibility options in Eeschema (Kicad)
I have added the footprint information to various components in Eeschema (e.g. added sm0402 to a resistor).
A purple label then appears indicating the that a footprint has been assigned.
Is there ...
2
votes
1answer
135 views
Put component designators on the PCB's silkscreen in KiCad
I'm doing my firs PCB design, and I've choose to use KiCad.
The problem that I'm encountering is that when I look at my board in 3D view, the components' designators does not appear to be on the ...
5
votes
3answers
321 views
Making a schematic in KiCad; how to represent connections from another circuit board?
I'm using KiCad to design a circuit for my latest project. This board includes a number of transistors whose bases are connected to off-board signals.
What's the proper way to represent this, so when ...
1
vote
1answer
291 views
How use 'Hierarchical Blocks' in Eagle?.. nesting schematics within schematics?
I want to design a schematic and board pair (e.g. 'submodule.sch' and 'submodule.brd'), and then use multiple instances of 'submodule' to make a new design: '8submodules' (which contains 8 instances ...
3
votes
3answers
375 views
How to find a footprint?
I have just started using KiCAD (with no other experience e.g. in Eagle). I was basically able to put together a schematic and layout a board but I am struggling with some footprints. How would I ...
3
votes
2answers
306 views
Classification of VDD and VSS pins
I am creating a library component for KiCAD using a convenient online app at: http://kicad.rohrbacher.net/quicklib.php. The component I am making is the Microchip PIC24EP512GU814 in LQFP ...
3
votes
2answers
174 views
How do I copy a hierarchical module in KiCAD?
I have a schematic where I'm using hierarchical sheets. I'll have five same sheets and I'd like a way to make one and somehow just copy it for the other four sheets.
Any ideas how to do that? I ...
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votes
2answers
296 views
What's the best way to fit many components onto a Eeschema schematic?
I'm using Eeschema right now with A4 paper size and I've noticed that many component symbols are simply too large to fit onto the schematic or at least the part selected by the template.
The two most ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
KiCAD vs gEDA vs other open source CAD? [closed]
I've been using Eagle for the past 10 years, but I recently started wondering about open sourced CAD tools, figuring if I'm mainly designing Open Source Hardware, might as well do it with an open ...
4
votes
1answer
302 views
Save schematic from KiCad / EESchema to png
I've just drawn my first circuit with KiCad / EESchema (on Kubuntu) to insert my circuit diagram into one of my answers. But I can't find a way to export to PNG (nor gif or jpg).
How can I export my ...
0
votes
1answer
288 views
How are SMD thermal pads handled in Kicad's eeschema?
I'm using Kicad to do a board with a MSOP-PowerPad which has a metal pad underneath the chip that should be soldered to the board. How are these thermal pads usually represented in eeschema?
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Can I include heatsink copper in a Kicad footprint?
I have some SMD parts that have a recommended copper pattern for heat spreading. Can I include this in a Kicad module? I don't see a convenient way to draw filled copper polygons that aren't pads. I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
ERC error “ErrType(3): Pin connected to some others pins but no pin to drive it”
The following simple circuit gives the following error message
when running ERC check:
...
3
votes
3answers
498 views
How to indicate different voltage levels in schematic drawing
If I have a circuit where I will use different voltages for different parts, how is this best done?
This can be done with power symbols
or using local labels
or global labels
(the default ...
2
votes
1answer
811 views
How do I look at all the footprints in a KiCAD library?
In the KiCAD PCBnew layout editor,
is there some way to see what a footprint looks like before I place it?
Or am I forced to select a footprint that has a plausible-sounding (ASCII text) name,
place ...
1
vote
2answers
3k views
How do I install a KiCad schematic or footprint library?
After I download a KiCad schematic library or footprint library --
such as the ones from http://kicadlib.org/ --
how do I use it in my schematic and layout?
Should I install that KiCad library file ...
