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  • Author Author: shabaz
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Rapidly learning KiCad PCB Software within 5 days: And where I got to, a year on!

shabaz

It’s been almost exactly one year since I decided to try using KiCad, to migrate off EAGLE CAD.

I was a newcomer to KiCad, but it was possible to feel comfortable enough with KiCad 6 within a week, to the point of producing my first PCB with it.

The five days of steps I took to learn KiCad are documented here:

 KiCAD for non-KiCAD (e.g. ex-EAGLE) enthusiasts - a discussion 

There is also video documentation of my findings, it is 50 minutes long, and in effect can be used as training for anyone (like me) who is entirely new to KiCad:


It’s been a surprisingly popular video, with 59k views. I guess a lot of people want to learn how to use it.

The typical configuration settings (Design Rules) that are needed for China PCB manufacturers are documented in screenshots here:

 KiCad 6 Unofficial Quick Start Training / Guide Video 


My very first KiCad PCB (which was designed within the 5-days of learning) worked well, it is documented here:

 PicoSynthRF - A Python-based RF Signal Generator 

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There was just one bodge wire with that project, and I can live with that!

Fast-forward to almost a year later, and I’m comfortable using KiCad for 4-layer boards with a fair amount of control:

 100W USB Type-C Power Delivery Source: Getting Started 

image


Whenever I hit a KiCad issue that I couldn’t resolve, I raised it on either the element14 or the KiCad forums (depending on if I thought it was a bug to be raised or not) and I got same-day responses every time. Thank-you to everyone who helped me.

I also dabbled a bit with 3D (I am a complete newcomer to that too), and although I cannot create my own 3D parts, I'm now fairly OK with seeking 3D models online and using them where needed to complete renders of boards with components where needed. I was able to (just-about! please don't ask me any questions on this because I  was outside my comfort zone during this particular exercise) place a PCB inside an enclosure using KiCad and FreeCad.

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If you’re interested in using a new CAD package, KiCad could be a reasonable option. There are quite a few users of it on the element14 site, and the help I received was invaluable always, but especially in those first few days when I needed it most.

Thanks for reading!

  • I used Eagle several years ago to make a couple PCB designs.  I believe when working on my third board design I received an email from them stating they were getting rid of the already limited "free hobby use" option and wanted me to buy a subscription.  I decided to quit using Eagle, which put the third PCB on hold for years.  I was not up to learning to use another software package at the time.  I did work with a minor project in Kicad shortly after that, but didn't have anything else I wanted to work on since then.  The project went well, but it wasn't enough to get properly familiar with the software at the time.

    I used Easy EDA recently on a project I came across on Element 14.  With a bit of practice I felt Easy EDA was ok, but I am not very interested in using it.  After working on that project, I wanted to finally go back to give Kicad a try to finish that stalled board design.  

    I found that Eagle feels like it is better for doing the Schematic layout.  They seem to look better.  With Kicad the available component footprints are limited.  I have been getting practice making component footprints based on data sheets or manual measurements of components, which I also did in Easy EDA.

  • in reply to colporteur

    Glad you had a good experience with the training! It is excellent software, and I'm glad you decided to take it up too.

    In the past, a major demotivation for learning to use CAD software was the learning curve time. But with modern KiCAD, we are all proof that it doesn't need to take a long time at all, provided the information can be delivered or obtained in a decent way that suits the user.

  • in reply to embeddedguy

    Hi Ujjval,

    That's right, it will allow connections to all (any) layers with the default vias, no need for blind/buried for that.

  • in reply to DAB

    It is a challenge to overcome. The rewards may provide motivation..

  • I undertook the goal of migrating to KiCAD in September. My typical use of PCB design software was to map traces using Fritzing software to a screen board layout instead of graph paper. I had always skipped the step of producing a schematic. The project to automate a model railroad layout,  I'm Board...Cutting Board to Printed Circuit Board motivated me to invest in a PCB design software. Many moon ago I had used Eagle software but the limits on non-windows O/S left me wanting.

    The learning method I most favoured is instructor lead training. Second to that is a paper book. After some research I settled on https://techexplorations.com/pc/kicad-3d/ video course and electronic book bundle. I was just going to purchase the book but for $20 more the video material was provided.

    The course allowed me to establish a schedule that would ensure I would finish at a specific time and not have it drag on for weeks. I estimate within the first three days I was comfortable with KiCAD Version 6 and within the week I was working on the PCB's for my project and not using the course material projects.

    The course is built around a workflow approach to designing a PCB. From a very high-level perspective, the PCB design workflow only has two major steps:

    Step 1 is the schematic design using the schematic design editor (Eeschema);
    Step 2 is the layout design using the layout editor (Pcbnew).

    image

    The workflow approach works for the concrete-sequential person that I am. I feel I learned KiCAD to produce PCB's. I recently blew the dust off the software to design a small board from scratch. I was a bit rusty on some details but referencing the course material I managed to overcome my shortcomings. Bare in mind, I am only developing two sided boards.

    The course does cover the differences between KiCAD 5 & 6. This wasn't an issue for me since I never ventured into 5. From my success with using KiCAD I would recommend it to others. I confess I have a background in electronics and did PCB design early in my career using tape and etching pens. This is so much nicer than that approach:)

    I admit my decision to invest in the software was influenced by the commentary from some E14 community members.

    Break...Break...

    I do hope the seasonal downturn in site performance has long past. I have tried numerous times to comment on the original post but fail. Twice my content was hung in mid sentence and I had to abandon it.

    Well, it has happened a third time. First I received this short note.

    image

    Of course the content wasn't posted. I immediately when into "preservation mode"  I omitted the step of creating the post content outside the confines of the website. Augh Shite I'm going to lose all of it again.

    image

    I managed to get the text preserved. To think I was lulled into letting my guard down even hinting the site is reliable. Then I get kicked in the gonads once again. When will I learn. Well at least the swear jar is full of quarters.