Open source KiCAD files for PCB development I have completed a prototype using the Esp32 DevKitC. I'm now looking for open source KiCAD files to use as a starting point for PCB development (sch, kicadpcb, net, pro). .kicadmod PCB footprint in KiCad 4+ format (looks like usually one footprint in one file).mod - PCB footprint prior to KiCad 4 (could be multiple footprints in one file).net is technically not a true source file since it's produced from.sch schematics but InteractiveHtmlBOM likes to use these files as input. Double-clicking on the Eeschema icon runs the schematic editor which in this case will open the file picprogrammer.sch. Double-clicking on the Pcbnew icon runs the layout editor, in this case opening the file picprogrammer.kicadpcb. Right clicking on any of the files in the project tree allows generic file manipulation.
Generating Gerbers
Kicad Schematic To Pcb
Select File -> Plot from the menu to open the gerber generation tool.
At the top of the pop-up window, you’ll see the folder location for your files, click browse. Make sure you’re in your project directory.
Make a new folder called Gerbers, select it and click select folder. Click Yes if asked to use a relative path.
On the left side, you’ll see which layers from our board design we want to turn into Gerber files.
Kicad Pcb Org
Select all the layers you need. For a simple PCB, you’ll need the
- Top and Bottom silkscreen layers
- Front and back copper
- Edge cuts
The In1 and In2 layers are only needed for four-layer boards.
Make sure the front and back copper layers are checked as well as the front and back silkscreen layers. Check front mask, back mask, and edge cuts.
The mask layers show where solder mask needs to go and the edge cuts layer is our board outline with the slot cut out at the top.
It also gives us which options we need to check.
Kicad Pcb Design Tutorial Pdf
Make sure that the “Exclude PCB edge layer from other layers” is checked. We want the part reference designators to show up on the board so leave that checked. But we don’t want the values to be printed, so uncheck “Plot footprint values”.
Click 'Plot' and the Gerber files will be generated and saved in the Gerbers folder.
Generating Drill file
Click “Generate Drill File“. Check the below options and leave everything else to default.
- 'Inches'
- 'Decimal format'
- 'Postscript'
Click “Generate Drill File” and you should see a message in the bottom text window indicating that new files were created.
Verify the Files
Next, click 'Close' to exit the Generate Drill File windows. All of the files should have appeared in your gerbers folder. Then select all of the files, zip them up, and upload the zip file to JLCPCB order page.
Open Kicad_pcb File Online
Kicad Pcb Tutorial
After uploading your files, you can verify the gerbers by using our Gerber Viewer.