KiCad tool suite overview in PCB Design - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is KiCad?

KiCad is a free, open-source software suite used for electronic design automation (EDA). It helps design printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic schematics.

beginner

Name the main components of the KiCad tool suite.

The main components are: Eeschema (schematic editor), Pcbnew (PCB layout editor), GerbView (Gerber file viewer), and the integrated project manager.

beginner

What is Eeschema used for in KiCad?

Eeschema is used to create and edit electronic schematics, which are the circuit diagrams showing how components connect.

beginner

What role does Pcbnew play in KiCad?

Pcbnew is the PCB layout editor where you place components and route electrical connections to design the physical circuit board.

beginner

Why is GerbView important in the KiCad workflow?

GerbView lets you view and verify Gerber files, which are the manufacturing files used to produce the PCB.

Which KiCad tool is used to create electronic schematics?

A Pcbnew

B Eeschema

C GerbView

D Project Manager

Eeschema is the schematic editor in KiCad used to draw circuit diagrams.

What does Pcbnew help you design?

A Schematic diagrams

B Gerber files

C PCB layouts

D Component libraries

Pcbnew is the PCB layout editor where you arrange components and routes on the circuit board.

GerbView is mainly used to:

A View manufacturing files

B Create PCB layouts

C Manage projects

D Edit schematics

GerbView allows you to view Gerber files, which are used for manufacturing PCBs.

KiCad is best described as:

A A programming IDE

B A paid PCB design software

C A hardware testing tool

D An open-source EDA tool suite

KiCad is a free and open-source electronic design automation software.

Which KiCad component helps organize your project files?

A Project Manager

B Pcbnew

C Eeschema

D GerbView

The Project Manager in KiCad helps organize and manage all project files.

Explain the main tools in the KiCad suite and their purposes.

Think about the flow from circuit design to manufacturing.

Describe how KiCad supports the PCB design process from start to finish.

Consider the steps an engineer takes to design and produce a circuit board.

Practice

1. Which part of KiCad is used to draw the electronic circuit diagram?

easy

A. Eeschema

B. Pcbnew

C. GerbView

D. CvPcb

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand KiCad components

   KiCad has different tools for different tasks: Eeschema for schematics, Pcbnew for PCB layout, GerbView for viewing manufacturing files, and CvPcb for footprint assignment.

2. Step 2: Identify schematic drawing tool

   The schematic diagram is drawn in Eeschema, which is the schematic editor.

3. Final Answer:

   Eeschema -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Schematic drawing = Eeschema [OK]

Hint: Remember: Eeschema = schematic editor [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Pcbnew with schematic editor
• Thinking GerbView is for drawing circuits
• Mixing CvPcb with schematic drawing

2. Which KiCad tool is responsible for assigning footprints to schematic components?

easy

A. CvPcb

B. GerbView

C. Pcbnew

D. Eeschema

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall KiCad tool functions

   GerbView views manufacturing files, Pcbnew is for PCB layout, Eeschema is schematic editor, CvPcb assigns footprints.

2. Step 2: Match footprint assignment task

   Assigning footprints to schematic symbols is done in CvPcb.

3. Final Answer:

   CvPcb -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Footprint assignment = CvPcb [OK]

Hint: Footprints go with CvPcb tool [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Pcbnew for footprint assignment
• Confusing GerbView with footprint tool
• Mixing Eeschema with footprint assignment

3. What will happen if you open a project in KiCad and launch Pcbnew?

medium

A. You will view Gerber files for manufacturing

B. You will draw the schematic diagram

C. You will assign footprints to components

D. You will edit the printed circuit board layout

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Pcbnew's role

   Pcbnew is the KiCad tool used for designing the physical layout of the printed circuit board (PCB).

2. Step 2: Understand other options

   Drawing schematics is done in Eeschema, footprint assignment in CvPcb, and Gerber file viewing in GerbView.

3. Final Answer:

   You will edit the printed circuit board layout -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Pcbnew = PCB layout editor [OK]

Hint: Pcbnew edits PCB layout, not schematics [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Pcbnew edits schematics
• Confusing footprint assignment with Pcbnew
• Mixing Gerber viewing with Pcbnew

4. You tried to open a Gerber file in KiCad's Eeschema. What is the problem?

medium

A. Gerber files open only in Pcbnew

B. Eeschema cannot open Gerber files; use GerbView instead

C. Gerber files are schematic files and open in Eeschema

D. You must convert Gerber files to footprints first

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand file types and tools

   Gerber files are manufacturing files viewed in GerbView, not schematic files.

2. Step 2: Identify correct tool for Gerber files

   Eeschema is for schematics and cannot open Gerber files; GerbView is the correct tool.

3. Final Answer:

   Eeschema cannot open Gerber files; use GerbView instead -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Gerber files open in GerbView [OK]

Hint: Gerber files need GerbView, not Eeschema [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to open Gerber in Pcbnew
• Thinking Gerber files are schematic files
• Believing conversion to footprints is needed

5. You want to prepare your PCB design for manufacturing using KiCad. Which sequence of tools should you use?

hard

A. GerbView -> Pcbnew -> CvPcb -> Eeschema

B. Pcbnew -> Eeschema -> CvPcb -> GerbView

C. Eeschema -> CvPcb -> Pcbnew -> GerbView

D. CvPcb -> GerbView -> Eeschema -> Pcbnew

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the design flow in KiCad

   First, draw the schematic in Eeschema, then assign footprints in CvPcb, next design the PCB layout in Pcbnew, and finally check manufacturing files in GerbView.

2. Step 2: Match the correct sequence

   Eeschema -> CvPcb -> Pcbnew -> GerbView follows the correct order: schematic -> footprint -> PCB layout -> manufacturing files.

3. Final Answer:

   Eeschema -> CvPcb -> Pcbnew -> GerbView -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Design flow = Eeschema, CvPcb, Pcbnew, GerbView [OK]

Hint: Follow design flow: schematic, footprint, layout, then manufacturing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Starting with Pcbnew before schematic
• Viewing Gerber files before PCB layout
• Assigning footprints after PCB layout