Summary

This first lesson in PCB design with KiCad covered:

1. Installing KiCad component libraries
2. Navigating electronic component datasheets
3. Picking and placing components using the ‘A’ and ‘P’ keybindings
4. Moving, editing, rotating, and copying components with ‘M’, ‘E’, ‘R’, and ‘C’
5. Deleting components with ‘DEL’
6. Connecting things with wires using ‘W’
7. Keeping things tidy using global labels (Ctrl-H)
8. Repeating the last action intelligently with ‘INS’
9. Adding a no-connect flag to a pin using ‘Q’
10. Automatically annotating (numbering) the components in a schematic
11. Using the Electrical Rules Check (ERC) to find potential errors
12. Assigning physical footprints to schematic components

Getting Help

Even if you’ve missed the session, you’ll be able to ask questions about whatever, whenever on our Discord. Feel free to drop your question in the #bootcamp channel or just message an instructor directly.

Useful Links

• The Source Tutorial
• KiCad Keyboard Shortcuts
• More KiCad Keyboard Shortcuts!
• How To Read A Schematic
• Really Detailed Exploration Of Decoupling
• Datasheet For Our Processor Family
• Datasheet For Our Linear Regulator
• ERC Errors & Power Flags
• The ‘Insert’ Key Tip

Recording

I think that this recording is half decent, but you’ll have to be the judge of that! Roast me in the feedback form!

Feedback

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