1.1. KiCad

1.1. KiCad

KiCad is an open-source software tool for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and PCB artwork. Beneath its singular surface, KiCad incorporates an elegant ensemble of the following software tools:

• KiCad : project manager
• Eeschema : schematic editor and component editor
• CvPcb : footprint selector helper (always run from Eeschema)
• Pcbnew : circuit board layout editor and footprint editor
• GerbView : Gerber viewer

3 utilities are included

• Bitmap2Component: component maker for logos. It creates a schematic component or a footprint from a bitmap picture.
• PcbCalculator: A calculator that is helpful to calculate components for regulators, track width versus current, transmission lines…
• PlEditor: Page Layout Editor.

These tools are usually run from the project manager, but can be also run as stand-alone tools.

At the time of writing, KiCad is considered mature and can be used for the successful development and maintenance of complex electronic boards.

KiCad does not present any board-size limitation and it can handle up to 32 copper layers, 14 technical layers and 4 auxiliary layers.

KiCad can create all the files necessary for building printed boards:

• Gerber files for photo-plotters
• drilling files
• component location files
• and a lot more.

Being open source (GPL licensed), KiCad represents the ideal tool for projects oriented towards the creation of electronic hardware with an open-source flavour.

KiCad is available for Linux, Windows and Apple OS X (still experimental, but is now working well).