Group Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: shabaz
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 8635 views
  • Likes 19 likes
  • Comments 18 comments
Related
Recommended

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 

image


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.

image

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!

Parents

  • Good luck with KiCad and your circuits. I saw that video of your online and it was informative.

    I am also learning KiCad and have designed some circuits(basics). It is really nice software for everyone who wanna do PCB designs.

    I still prefer EAGLE for schematic design and then export to KiCad for PCB layout. Right now I am only limited to 2-layer boards as the multilayer boards are expensive to design and manufacture especially with blind/burried vias.! 
    What do you think?

  • in reply to embeddedguy

    Any extra steps will push the price up, but I guess blind or buried vias wouldn't be needed usually on a 4-layer board (since there's only one signal or two signal layers being used there), but in any case then you'd be paying for so many steps if the board really required such vias (and then you'd also probably want some vias filled, that's another step) so the price will naturally shoot up. However, 4-layer (and 8-layer as Andrew mentions!) is currently quite cheap with some manufacturers (e.g. China ones) provided normal vias are used.

  • in reply to shabaz

    Nice information. I thought that with through hole vias it is only possible to connect top and bottom layers only, but with your answer I am sure that should be a way to connect mid layers with..Grimacing

Comment Children