HowTo Setup KiCad

How To: Set Up KiCad

This guide explains how to set up KiCad for viewing and modifying Glitchy's PCB design files.

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Prerequisites

• Computer with internet access
• ~2GB disk space for installation
• Administrator/sudo access

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Installing KiCad

Step 1: Download KiCad

Visit the official KiCad website: https://www.kicad.org/

Download the installer for your operating system:

• Windows: .exe installer
• macOS: .dmg package
• Linux: Package manager or Flatpak

Step 2: Install

Follow the installation instructions for your platform. Accept all default options unless you have specific requirements.

Step 3: Verify Version

Glitchy's PCB was designed with KiCad 8.0. Ensure you're using version 8.0 or newer for full compatibility.

Check version: Help → About KiCad

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Recommended Plugins

Open the Plugin Manager from KiCad's main window: Plugin and Content Manager (icon in toolbar)

Interactive HTML BOM

ID: org.openscopeproject.InteractiveHtmlBom

Generates an interactive webpage showing:

• Complete bill of materials
• Component placement visualization
• Click-to-highlight functionality

Useful for hand-assembly and debugging.

Fabrication Toolkit (JLCPCB)

ID: com.github.bennymeg.JLC-Plugin-for-KiCad

Simplifies fabrication file generation for JLCPCB:

• Gerber file export
• BOM formatting
• Component placement files (CPL)

Solarized Dark Theme (Optional)

ID: com.github.pointhi.kicad-color-schemes.solarized-dark

A comfortable color scheme for extended use. Purely aesthetic.

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Opening Glitchy Project

Step 1: Locate Project Files

Navigate to: glitchy/PCB/

Step 2: Open Project

1. Launch KiCad
2. File → Open Project
3. Select the .kicad_pro file
4. Project opens with schematic and PCB

Step 3: View Schematic

Double-click the schematic file in the project tree, or:

• Tools → Schematic Editor

Step 4: View PCB Layout

Double-click the PCB file in the project tree, or:

• Tools → PCB Editor

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Additional Tools

EasyEDA2KiCad

Converts components from JLCPCB/EasyEDA library to KiCad format.

GitHub: https://github.com/uPesy/easyeda2kicad.py

Installation:

pip install easyeda2kicad

Usage:

easyeda2kicad --full --lcsc_id=C123456 --output ./my_lib

This saves time creating footprints and symbols for JLCPCB parts.

JLC Parts Search

Web-based JLCPCB component catalog with better search than the official site.

GitHub: https://github.com/yaqwsx/jlcparts

Hosted version: https://yaqwsx.github.io/jlcparts/

Features:

• Stock availability filtering
• Parametric search
• Price sorting

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Common Tasks

Generating Gerbers for Fabrication

1. Open PCB Editor
2. File → Fabrication Outputs → Gerbers
3. Configure output directory
4. Select layers (typically: F.Cu, B.Cu, F.SilkS, B.SilkS, F.Mask, B.Mask, Edge.Cuts)
5. Click Plot
6. Click Generate Drill Files

Generating BOM

With Interactive HTML BOM installed:

1. Open PCB Editor
2. Tools → Generate Interactive HTML BOM
3. Configure options
4. Click Generate

Exporting for JLCPCB

With Fabrication Toolkit installed:

1. Open PCB Editor
2. Tools → External Plugins → JLCPCB Fabrication Toolkit
3. Follow wizard prompts
4. Files ready for upload

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Troubleshooting

"Missing Library" Errors

1. Ensure you cloned the complete repository
2. Check library paths: Preferences → Manage Symbol Libraries
3. Add missing libraries from project folder

Components Display Incorrectly

1. Update KiCad to latest version
2. Reload libraries: Preferences → Manage Symbol Libraries → Rescan

Performance Issues

1. Disable 3D rendering while editing
2. Close unused windows
3. Increase RAM allocation if available

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See Also

• Reference: BOM
• Reference: Schematic
• Explanation: Circuit Design