KiCad EE Library

KiCAD Library Setup

Library Naming Conventions

• must not be the same as built-in library
• prefix with unique designator for compatibility, eg EE_[NAME]
• should be as generic as possible, eg EE_Resistor_SMD, EE_Capacitor_SMD, EE_OpAmp ...

Schematic Library Setup

Schematic Libraries are located at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_EE_Library/lib_Files/[LibraryName].lib"

Add schematic library to library list:

1. open Schematic Library Editor
2. go to Preferences->Component Libraries
3. add library

Make a new library by "saving as" with a library open (out of date with nightly build!)

Part Field Properties

NOTE: add these through KiCad -> Preferences -> Template Field Names

Field	Description
*Reference:	reference designator
*Value:	unique name of the part, include all relevant data points except manufacturer
*Footprint:	filepath to footprint -> [FootprintLibrary(.pretty)]:[FootprintName], click "assign footprint" for wizard
*Datasheet:	URL for datasheet
PartValue:	displayed value of the part, eg Resistors -> resistance, Capacitors -> capacitance, IC's -> part number
Composition:	construction material, eg Resistors -> ThinFilm/ThickFilm, Capacitors -> C0G/PPS ...
Precision:	precision of part
PowerRating:	maximum power dissipation of part
VoltageRating:	maximum allowed voltage across the part
CurrentRating:	maximum allowed current through the part
Tempco:	temperature coefficient
PbFree:	is part lead-free, bool
RoHS:	is part RoHS compliant, bool
Manufacturer:	manufacturer of part
MPN:	Manufacturer Part Number
MouserPN:	Mouser Part Number
DigiKeyPN:	DigiKey Part Number
SmallBearPN:	Small Bear Electronics Part Number
MammothPN:	Mammoth Electronics Part Number
TaydaPN:	Tayda Part Number
MouserPrice:	price for 1 unit @ Mouser
DigiKeyPrice:	price for 1 unit @ DigiKey
SmallBearPrice:	price for 1 unit @ SmallBear
MammothPrice:	price for 1 unit @ Mammoth
TaydaPrice:	price for 1 unit @ Tayda
ALTMPN:	Alternative Manufacturer Part Number
ALTMouserPN:	ALT Part Mouser Part Number
ALTDigiKeyPN:	ALT Part DigiKey Part Number
ALTMouserPrice:	ALT Part price for 1 unit @ Mouser
ALTDigiKeyPrice:	ALT Part price for 1 unit @ DigiKey

NOTE: * = default

Footprint Setup

Local footprints are located at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_EE_Library/footprints/[LibraryName(.pretty)]/"

Add footprint Library to library list:

1. open PCB Footprint Editor
2. Preferences -> Footprint Libraries Manager
3. Append Library
4. use {KIUSRMOD} in path. NOTE: KIUSRMOD is defined using Preferences -> Configure Paths

3D Setup

3D packages exist at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_EE_Library/packages3d/[LibraryName(.3dshapes)]/"

each package has two 3D models: .step, .wrl

To set a part's 3D model:

1. open PCB Footprint Editor
2. open library and load footprint
3. open Footprint Properties -> 3D Settings
4. click Add 3D Shape and navigate to desired 3D model

built-in 3D models can be found at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_GIT_Library/kicad-packages3D/" which is downloaded from the KiCad git page

3D Exporting

To generate a 3D .dae board file: run "kicadStepDAE [BoardFileName]" from the BoardFileName's directory

"kicadStepDAE" is a script located in "/usr/local/bin" this script runs a FreeCAD macro on the supplied file name

The FreeCAD macro is called "kicad-StepUp-tools.FCMacro" and is located at "~/Library/Preferences/FreeCAD/Macro" This macro uses "~/ksu-config.ini" for its configuration settings

"~/ksu-config.ini" points to "~/Seed/Resources/KiCadLibrary/packages3d/" as the location for the local 3D models

The "kicad-StepUp-tools.FCMacro" opens the BoardFile in FreeCAD, loads each part's 3D model from the local file path declared in the configuration file, and exports the board file as both a .step and .dae