KiCad Cheatsheet

KiCad Cheatsheet

Overview

KiCad is a free and open-source software suite for electronic design automation (EDA). It facilitates the design of schematics for electronic circuits and their conversion to printed circuit board (PCB) designs. KiCad is a powerful tool for hobbyists, students, and professionals alike.

Key Features

• Schematic Capture: Create and edit electronic schematics.
• PCB Layout: Design and route printed circuit boards.
• 3D Viewer: View your PCB design in 3D.
• Component Libraries: A large library of electronic components.
• Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Workflow

1. Create a Project: Start by creating a new project in KiCad.
2. Draw the Schematic: Use the schematic editor to draw your circuit.
3. Assign Footprints: Assign a physical footprint to each component in your schematic.
4. Layout the PCB: Use the PCB editor to place the components and route the traces.
5. Generate Gerber Files: Generate the Gerber files that are used to manufacture the PCB.

Common Hotkeys

Hotkey	Action
A	Add a component
W	Wire components
M	Move a component
R	Rotate a component
E	Edit a component
X	Route a trace
V	Add a via
F	Flip a component

Additional Resources

• KiCad Website
• KiCad Documentation
• KiCad Forums