Using built-in KiCad libraries in PCB Design - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Using built-in KiCad libraries

Goal

Understand how to use built-in KiCad libraries to select and place components for PCB design efficiently.

Sample Data: Components from Built-in KiCad Libraries

Component Name	Library	Footprint	Value	Category
R_0805	Resistors_SMD	Resistor_SMD:R_0805	10k	Resistor
C_0603	Capacitors_SMD	Capacitor_SMD:C_0603	1uF	Capacitor
LED_1206	LED_SMD	LED_SMD:LED_1206	Red	LED
U_ATMEGA328	Microcontrollers	Package_QFP:TQFP-32_7x7mm_P0.8mm	ATmega328	Microcontroller
JST_PH_2	Connectors	Connector_JST:JST_PH_2	2-pin	Connector
Q_NPN	Transistors	Transistor_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23	2N3904	Transistor

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Components Available
  Formula: Count of all components in sample data = 6
• Bar Chart: Number of Components by Category
  Data: Resistor=1, Capacitor=1, LED=1, Microcontroller=1, Connector=1, Transistor=1
• Table: Component Details
  Shows all columns from sample data for user to browse components
• Filter Slicer: Category Filter
  Allows user to select one or multiple categories to filter the table and bar chart

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
|      KPI Card        |    Category Filter   |
|  Total Components: 6 |  [Resistor] [Capacitor]  |
|                      |  [LED] [Microcontroller] |
+----------------------+  [Connector] [Transistor] +
|                      |                      |
|     Bar Chart        |      Component Table   |
| Components by Category|  Detailed component list|
|                      |                      |
+----------------------+----------------------+

Interactivity

The Category Filter slicer controls which categories are shown in the Bar Chart and Component Table. Selecting categories updates both visuals to show only components from those categories. The KPI Card remains static showing total components available.

Self Check

If you add a filter to select only the category 'Resistor', which components update?

• The Bar Chart updates to show only the 'Resistor' category with count 1.
• The Component Table updates to show only the resistor component row.
• The KPI Card remains showing total components as 6 (all components in library).

Key Result

Dashboard shows built-in KiCad library components by category with filtering and details.