escape_gallery_obsidian_vault/Notes/Electronics/KiCad.md

Basic

• Start with the schematic editor then move to the PCB

Adding Symbols, Footprints and 3D Models

Find the symbol and footprint on UltraLibrarian or another site.

• Symbol needs a file with a .kicad_sym extension
• Footprint needs a folder with a.pretty extension and with one or more files with .kicad_mod extensions in it
• The 3D model needs a STEP AP214 file with a .stp extension

Copy all the files into a folder in the project, e.g. Symbols/PART_NAME after you unzip them into the Downloads folder.

Symbol

Go to Schematics Editor and open Preferences > Manage Symbol Libraries. Click on Project Specific Libraries. Click on the ➕ button. Click on the 📁 icon in the new row, select the .kicad_sym file. Give it the row a Nickname that matches the part.

Footprint

Go to the PCB Editor. Go to Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries. Click on Project Specific Libraries. Click on ➕ button. Click on the 📁 icon in the new row, select the .pretty folder. Give the row a Nickname that matches the part.

3D Model

Elements

• A pin header is a set of pins that connects to PCB's together

References

• [Documentation](https://kicad.github.io/](https://kicad.github.io/)