![]() So far we haven’t figured out how to combine them successfully. This is because KiCad will create two NC drill files, one for plated through-hole pads and one for non-plated. Here’s the drill configuration, make sure you have no non-plated pads. ![]() It includes the top and bottom copper, top and bottom solder stop mask, top and bottom Silk, and NC drill file. This is our configuration of the gerber export utility, setup to satisfy our PCB fab’s (Seeed Studio) requirements. Placing components at exact coordinates is rather complicated, and requires frequent grid alterations. ![]() The footprint creator Y axis is inverted, negative is up and positive is down.Īnother thing to note is that KiCad doesn’t have a command console. You have to trace each via to an already existing trace or pad and connect to it. Placing vias on polygons/planes is too complicated, such as vias to join ground planes. This gets very tedious with our team-based iterative design process. You have to create a new netlist, loading it into the PCB editor, and update the PCB connections. Minor adjustments to a schematic after starting the board are a nightmare. In Eagle just hold the middle mouse button to move the screen around, in KiCad you have to hold down the F4 button. This would be particularly helpful when routing signals like USB data lines. This makes it easier to avoid routing close to, or underneath, certain signals. KiCad gives you an option to view these, lets you see which signal you’re routing, as well as the surrounding traces. Maybe learn how to add custom 3D components, and possibly export the models to a rendering engine. We need to play around with it some more. They make it easy to inspect the silkscreen. All the features of the software are unlocked so there’s absolutely no limitations like we experience with Eagle.īuilt-in 3D previews are nice. Read our likes, dislikes, and general comments on using KiCad below.įirst and foremost it’s open source, which goes hand in hand with the open hardware we like to make. ![]() This came as a necessity because the free version of Eagle is restricted to 100mm x 80mm PCBs, and the current ATX breakout already uses all that space. Last week we used the open source circuit design and PCB layout program KiCad to design version 2 of the ATX Breakout Board. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |