element14 Community
element14 Community
    Register Log In
  • Site
  • Search
  • Log In Register
  • Community Hub
    Community Hub
    • What's New on element14
    • Feedback and Support
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Personal Blogs
    • Members Area
    • Achievement Levels
  • Learn
    Learn
    • Ask an Expert
    • eBooks
    • element14 presents
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Spotlight
    • STEM Academy
    • Webinars, Training and Events
    • Learning Groups
  • Technologies
    Technologies
    • 3D Printing
    • FPGA
    • Industrial Automation
    • Internet of Things
    • Power & Energy
    • Sensors
    • Technology Groups
  • Challenges & Projects
    Challenges & Projects
    • Design Challenges
    • element14 presents Projects
    • Project14
    • Arduino Projects
    • Raspberry Pi Projects
    • Project Groups
  • Products
    Products
    • Arduino
    • Avnet & Tria Boards Community
    • Dev Tools
    • Manufacturers
    • Multicomp Pro
    • Product Groups
    • Raspberry Pi
    • RoadTests & Reviews
  • About Us
  • Store
    Store
    • Visit Your Store
    • Choose another store...
      • Europe
      •  Austria (German)
      •  Belgium (Dutch, French)
      •  Bulgaria (Bulgarian)
      •  Czech Republic (Czech)
      •  Denmark (Danish)
      •  Estonia (Estonian)
      •  Finland (Finnish)
      •  France (French)
      •  Germany (German)
      •  Hungary (Hungarian)
      •  Ireland
      •  Israel
      •  Italy (Italian)
      •  Latvia (Latvian)
      •  
      •  Lithuania (Lithuanian)
      •  Netherlands (Dutch)
      •  Norway (Norwegian)
      •  Poland (Polish)
      •  Portugal (Portuguese)
      •  Romania (Romanian)
      •  Russia (Russian)
      •  Slovakia (Slovak)
      •  Slovenia (Slovenian)
      •  Spain (Spanish)
      •  Sweden (Swedish)
      •  Switzerland(German, French)
      •  Turkey (Turkish)
      •  United Kingdom
      • Asia Pacific
      •  Australia
      •  China
      •  Hong Kong
      •  India
      • Japan
      •  Korea (Korean)
      •  Malaysia
      •  New Zealand
      •  Philippines
      •  Singapore
      •  Taiwan
      •  Thailand (Thai)
      • Vietnam
      • Americas
      •  Brazil (Portuguese)
      •  Canada
      •  Mexico (Spanish)
      •  United States
      Can't find the country/region you're looking for? Visit our export site or find a local distributor.
  • Translate
  • Profile
  • Settings
PCB Design, Prototyping and Production
  • Products
  • More
PCB Design, Prototyping and Production
PCB Blogs KiCAD 6.0 symbol development question
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • Documents
  • Leaderboard
  • Files
  • Members
  • Mentions
  • Sub-Groups
  • Tags
  • More
  • Cancel
  • New
Join PCB Design, Prototyping and Production to participate - click to join for free!
  • Share
  • More
  • Cancel
Group Actions
  • Group RSS
  • More
  • Cancel
Engagement
  • Author Author: colporteur
  • Date Created: 7 Sep 2022 9:42 PM Date Created
  • Views 2985 views
  • Likes 4 likes
  • Comments 16 comments
  • kicad
  • pcb design
  • syymbols
Related
Recommended

KiCAD 6.0 symbol development question

colporteur
colporteur
7 Sep 2022

I am moving from generating PCB layouts using Fritzing to KiCAD. It has been something I have been considering for a while. I have been investing some resources (time, money and energy) in learning KiCAD 6. I have just completed the module on constructing your own symbols. This has some appeal to me, I've done some research on the topic and would like to get feedback from member that have some experience with KiCAD.

Here is the scenario. I have recently started using a DR21A01 relay module. I would like to have a symbol to call the module in KiCAD. My first thought is someone must have already done this. It doesn't seem realistic that individuals using KiCAD are constructing a symbol for this module when they need it.

image

The site I purchased the units from has a schematic of the modules. None of the KiCAD symbols sites I have visited has a symbol for such a module. What am I missing? Are my expectation to high? Maybe a reputable site provides the resources to support the product. I tend to buy in markets that have the cheapest price. That doesn't necessarily mean you get all the things you need.  

I'm thinking components like this should have CAD modules that can be incorporated into designs. Yes/No?

Since I have limited experience with KiCAD I hoped those in our E14 community would share their knowledge. I did a search for an IR sensor modules I use often. Again nothing supported in a CAD. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place.

Do all KiCAD users just bang out their own. Seems rather labour intensive.

Chime in with your thoughts. I'm eager to learn.

  • Sign in to reply

Top Comments

  • fmilburn
    fmilburn over 3 years ago +1
    Having to develop schematic symbols and footprints is not uncommon, especially for inexpensive modules made in China. Schematic symbols can be developed pretty quickly once you get the hang of it, footprints…
  • baldengineer
    baldengineer over 3 years ago +1
    For any of these "modules", I would rarely expect an eCAD program to have a library footprint for them. That said, personally, I have never seen this module before. And I'm going to guess others haven…
  • colporteur
    colporteur over 3 years ago in reply to shabaz +1
    Your suggestion has much similarity to what I have been rolling around in my head as a solution. Getting overwhelmed, which I am at the moment, is something I'm trying to avoid. What can I do right now…
  • fmilburn
    fmilburn over 3 years ago

    Having to develop schematic symbols and footprints is not uncommon, especially for inexpensive modules made in China.  Schematic symbols can be developed pretty quickly once you get the hang of it, footprints may take a bit longer.  It is worth checking downloaded footprints if from an unknown source as they aren't always correct.

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up +1 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • More
    • Cancel
<
element14 Community

element14 is the first online community specifically for engineers. Connect with your peers and get expert answers to your questions.

  • Members
  • Learn
  • Technologies
  • Challenges & Projects
  • Products
  • Store
  • About Us
  • Feedback & Support
  • FAQs
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal and Copyright Notices
  • Sitemap
  • Cookies

An Avnet Company © 2026 Premier Farnell Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Premier Farnell Ltd, registered in England and Wales (no 00876412), registered office: Farnell House, Forge Lane, Leeds LS12 2NE.

ICP 备案号 10220084.

Follow element14

  • X
  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • YouTube