Actions reference
Below is a list of every available action in Pcbnew: a command that can be assigned to a hotkey. Hotkeys that are shared between all KiCad applications are listed in the KiCad manual and are not included here.
PCB Editor
Action | Default Hotkey | Description |
---|---|---|
Align to Bottom | Aligns selected items to the bottom edge | |
Align to Vertical Center | Aligns selected items to the vertical center | |
Align to Horizontal Center | Aligns selected items to the horizontal center | |
Align to Left | Aligns selected items to the left edge | |
Align to Right | Aligns selected items to the right edge | |
Align to Top | Aligns selected items to the top edge | |
Distribute Horizontally | Distributes selected items along the horizontal axis | |
Distribute Vertically | Distributes selected items along the vertical axis | |
Place Off-Board Footprints | Performs automatic placement of components outside board area | |
Place Selected Footprints | Performs automatic placement of selected components | |
Flip Board View | View board from the opposite side | |
Sketch Graphic Items | Show graphic items in outline mode | |
Decrease Layer Opacity | { | Make the current layer more transparent |
Increase Layer Opacity | } | Make the current layer less transparent |
Switch to Component (F.Cu) layer | PgUp | |
Switch to Inner layer 1 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 2 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 3 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 4 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 5 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 6 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 7 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 8 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 9 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 10 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 11 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 12 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 13 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 14 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 15 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 16 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 17 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 18 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 19 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 20 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 21 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 22 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 23 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 24 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 25 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 26 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 27 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 28 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 29 | ||
Switch to Inner layer 30 | ||
Switch to Copper (B.Cu) layer | PgDn | |
Switch to Next Layer | + | |
Switch to Previous Layer | - | |
Toggle Layer | V | Switch between layers in active layer pair |
Net Inspector | Show the net inspector | |
Highlight Ratsnest | Show ratsnest of selected item(s) | |
Sketch Pads | Show pads in outline mode | |
Curved Ratsnest Lines | Show ratsnest with curved lines | |
Repair Board | Run various diagnostics and attempt to repair board | |
Show Appearance Manager | Show/hide the appearance manager | |
Show pad numbers | Show pad numbers | |
Scripting Console | Show the Python scripting console | |
Show Ratsnest | Show board ratsnest | |
Sketch Text Items | Show footprint texts in line mode | |
Sketch Tracks | K | Show tracks in outline mode |
Sketch Vias | Show vias in outline mode | |
Wireframe Zones | Show only zone boundaries | |
Fill Zones | Show filled areas of zones | |
Sketch Zones | Show solid areas of zones in outline mode | |
Toggle Zone Display | A | Cycle between showing filled zones, wireframed zones and sketched zones |
Automatically zoom to fit | Zoom to fit when changing footprint | |
Convert to Arc | Converts selected line segment to an arc | |
Convert to Rule Area | Creates a rule area from the selection | |
Convert to Lines | Creates graphic lines from the selection | |
Convert to Polygon | Creates a graphic polygon from the selection | |
Convert to Tracks | Converts selected graphic lines to tracks | |
Convert to Zone | Creates a copper zone from the selection | |
Design Rules Checker | Show the design rules checker window | |
Open in Footprint Editor | Ctrl+E | Opens the selected footprint in the Footprint Editor |
Append Board… | Open another board and append its contents to this board | |
Board Setup… | Edit board setup including layers, design rules and various defaults | |
Clear Net Highlighting | ~ | Clear any existing net highlighting |
Drill/Place File Origin | Place origin point for drill files and component placement files | |
Export Specctra DSN… | Export Specctra DSN routing info | |
BOM… | Create bill of materials from board | |
IPC-D-356 Netlist File… | Generate IPC-D-356 netlist file | |
Drill Files (.drl)… | Generate Excellon drill file(s) | |
Gerbers (.gbr)… | Generate Gerbers for fabrication | |
Component Placement (.pos)… | Generate component placement file(s) for pick and place | |
Footprint Report (.rpt)… | Create report of all footprints from current board | |
Group | Group the selected items so that they are treated as a single item | |
Enter Group | Enter the group to edit items | |
Leave Group | Leave the current group | |
Hide Net | Hide the ratsnest for the selected net | |
Highlight Net | Highlight the selected net | |
Highlight Net |
| Toggle net highlighting |
Switch Track Width to Previous | Shift+W | Change track width to previous pre-defined size |
Switch Track Width to Next | W | Change track width to next pre-defined size |
Ungroup | Ungroup any selected groups | |
Unlock | Allow items to be moved and/or resized on the canvas | |
Decrease Via Size | \ | Change via size to previous pre-defined size |
Increase Via Size | ‘ | Change via size to next pre-defined size |
Duplicate Zone onto Layer… | Duplicate zone outline onto a different layer | |
Merge Zones | Merge zones | |
Change Footprint… | Assign a different footprint from the library | |
Change Footprints… | Assign different footprints from the library | |
Cleanup Graphics… | Cleanup redundant items, etc. | |
Cleanup Tracks & Vias… | Cleanup redundant items, shorting items, etc. | |
Edit Text & Graphics Properties… | Edit Text and graphics properties globally across board | |
Edit Track & Via Properties… | Edit track and via properties globally across board | |
Global Deletions… | Delete tracks, footprints and graphic items from board | |
Remove Unused Pads… | Remove or restore the unconnected inner layers on through hole pads and vias | |
Swap Layers… | Move tracks or drawings from one layer to another | |
Update Footprint… | Update footprint to include any changes from the library | |
Update Footprints from Library… | Update footprints to include any changes from the library | |
Clearance Resolution… | Show clearance resolution for the active layer between two selected objects | |
Constraints Resolution… | Show constraints resolution for the selected object | |
Show Board Statistics | Shows board statistics | |
Add Aligned Dimension | Ctrl+Shift+H | Add an aligned linear dimension |
Draw Arc | Ctrl+Shift+A | Draw an arc |
Switch Arc Posture | / | Switch the arc posture |
Add Center Dimension | Add a center dimension | |
Draw Circle | Ctrl+Shift+C | Draw a circle |
Close Outline | Close the in progress outline | |
Decrease Line Width | Ctrl+- | Decrease the line width |
Delete Last Point | Back | Delete the last point added to the current item |
Draw Graphic Polygon | Ctrl+Shift+P | Draw a graphic polygon |
Increase Line Width | Ctrl++ | Increase the line width |
Add Leader | Add a leader dimension | |
Draw Line | Ctrl+Shift+L | Draw a line |
Limit Lines to 45 deg | Limit graphic lines to H, V and 45 degrees | |
Add Orthogonal Dimension | Add an orthogonal dimension | |
Add Board Characteristics | Add a board characteristics table on a graphic layer | |
Import Graphics… | Ctrl+Shift+F | Import 2D drawing file |
Add Stackup Table | Add a board stackup table on a graphic layer | |
Draw Rectangle | Draw a rectangle | |
Add Rule Area | Ctrl+Shift+K | Add a rule area (keepout) |
Place the Footprint Anchor | Ctrl+Shift+N | Set the coordinate origin point (anchor) of the footprint |
Add a Similar Zone | Ctrl+Shift+. | Add a zone with the same settings as an existing zone |
Add Text | Ctrl+Shift+T | Add a text item |
Add Vias | Ctrl+Shift+V | Add free-standing vias |
Add Filled Zone | Ctrl+Shift+Z | Add a filled zone |
Add a Zone Cutout | Shift+C | Add a cutout area of an existing zone |
Get and Move Footprint | T | Selects a footprint by reference designator and places it under the cursor for moving |
Change Track Width | Updates selected track & via sizes | |
Create Array… | Ctrl+T | Create array |
Delete Full Track | Shift+Del | Deletes selected item(s) and copper connections |
Duplicate and Increment | Ctrl+Shift+D | Duplicates the selected item(s), incrementing pad numbers |
Fillet Tracks | Adds arcs tangent to the selected straight track segments | |
Change Side / Flip | F | Flips selected item(s) to opposite side of board |
Mirror | Mirrors selected item | |
Move Exactly… | Ctrl+M | Moves the selected item(s) by an exact amount |
Properties… | E | Displays item properties dialog |
Rotate Counterclockwise | R | Rotates selected item(s) counterclockwise |
Rotate Clockwise | Shift+R | Rotates selected item(s) clockwise |
Copy with Reference | Copy selected item(s) to clipboard with a specified starting point | |
Move | M | Moves the selected item(s) |
Move with Reference | Moves the selected item(s) with a specified starting point | |
Auto-finish Track | F | Automatically finishes laying the current track. |
Break Track | Splits the track segment into two segments connected at the cursor position. | |
Custom Track/Via Size… | Q | Shows a dialog for changing the track width and via size. |
Route Differential Pair | 6 | Route differential pairs |
Differential Pair Dimensions… | Open Differential Pair Dimension settings | |
Drag (45 degree mode) | D | Drags the track segment while keeping connected tracks at 45 degrees. |
Drag (free angle) | G | Drags the nearest joint in the track without restricting the track angle. |
Finish Track | End | Stops laying the current track. |
Router Highlight Mode | Switch router to highlight mode | |
Place Blind/Buried Via | Alt+Shift+V | Adds a blind or buried via at the end of currently routed track. |
Place Microvia | Ctrl+V | Adds a microvia at the end of currently routed track. |
Place Through Via | V | Adds a through-hole via at the end of currently routed track. |
Select Layer and Place Blind/Buried Via… | Alt+< | Select a layer, then add a blind or buried via at the end of currently routed track. |
Select Layer and Place Through Via… | < | Select a layer, then add a through-hole via at the end of currently routed track. |
Set Layer Pair… | Change active layer pair for routing | |
Interactive Router Settings… | Ctrl+Shift+, | Open Interactive Router settings |
Router Shove Mode | Switch router to shove mode | |
Route Single Track | X | Route tracks |
Switch Track Posture | / | Switches posture of the currently routed track. |
Track Corner Mode | Ctrl+/ | Switches between sharp and rounded corners when routing tracks. |
Undo last segment | Back | Stops laying the current track. |
Router Walkaround Mode | Switch router to walkaround mode | |
Deselect All Tracks in Net | Deselects all tracks & vias belonging to the same net. | |
Filter Selected Items… | Remove items from the selection by type | |
Select/Expand Connection | U | Selects a connection or expands an existing selection to junctions, pads, or entire connections |
Select All Tracks in Net | Selects all tracks & vias belonging to the same net. | |
Sheet | Selects all footprints and tracks in the schematic sheet | |
Items in Same Hierarchical Sheet | Selects all footprints and tracks in the same schematic sheet | |
Decrease Amplitude | 4 | Decrease meander amplitude by one step. |
Increase Amplitude | 3 | Increase meander amplitude by one step. |
End Track | End | Stops laying the current meander. |
Length Tuning Settings… | Ctrl+L | Sets the length tuning parameters for currently routed item. |
Decrease Spacing | 2 | Decrease meander spacing by one step. |
Increase Spacing | 1 | Increase meander spacing by one step. |
New Track | X | Starts laying a new track. |
Tune length of a differential pair | 8 | Tune length of a differential pair |
Tune skew of a differential pair | 9 | Tune skew of a differential pair |
Tune length of a single track | 7 | Tune length of a single track |
Add Microwave Polygonal Shape | Create a microwave polygonal shape from a list of vertices | |
Add Microwave Gap | Create gap of specified length for microwave applications | |
Add Microwave Line | Create line of specified length for microwave applications | |
Add Microwave Stub | Create stub of specified length for microwave applications | |
Add Microwave Arc Stub | Create stub (arc) of specified size for microwave applications | |
Footprint Checker | Show the footprint checker window | |
Copy Footprint | ||
Create Footprint… | Create a new footprint using the Footprint Wizard | |
Cut Footprint | ||
Delete Footprint from Library | ||
Edit Footprint | Show selected footprint on editor canvas | |
Export Footprint… | Export footprint to file | |
Footprint Properties… | Edit footprint properties | |
Hide Footprint Tree | ||
Import Footprint… | Import footprint from file | |
New Footprint… | Ctrl+N | Create a new, empty footprint |
Paste Footprint | ||
Repair Footprint | Run various diagnostics and attempt to repair footprint | |
Show Footprint Tree | ||
Paste Default Pad Properties to Selected | Replace the current pad’s properties with those copied earlier | |
Copy Pad Properties to Default | Copy current pad’s properties | |
Push Pad Properties to Other Pads… | Copy the current pad’s properties to other pads | |
Default Pad Properties… | Edit the pad properties used when creating new pads | |
Renumber Pads… | Renumber pads by clicking on them in the desired order | |
Edit Pad as Graphic Shapes | Ctrl+E | Ungroups a custom-shaped pad for editing as individual graphic shapes |
Add Pad | Add a pad | |
Finish Pad Edit | Ctrl+E | Regroups all touching graphic shapes into the edited pad |
Create Corner | Ins | Create a corner |
Remove Corner | Remove corner | |
Position Relative To… | Shift+P | Positions the selected item(s) by an exact amount relative to another |
Geographical Reannotate… | Reannotate PCB in geographical order | |
Refresh Plugins | Reload all python plugins and refresh plugin menus | |
Open Plugin Directory | Opens the directory in the default system file manager | |
Fill | Fill zone(s) | |
Fill All | B | Fill all zones |
Unfill | Unfill zone(s) | |
Unfill All | Ctrl+B | Unfill all zones |
3D Viewer
Action | Default Hotkey | Description |
---|---|---|
Add Floor | Adds a floor plane below the board (slow) | |
Anti-aliasing | Render with improved quality on final render (slow) | |
Toggle SMD 3D models | S | Toggle 3D models with ‘Surface mount’ attribute |
Toggle Through Hole 3D models | T | Toggle 3D models with ‘Through hole’ attribute |
Toggle Virtual 3D models | V | Toggle 3D models with ‘Virtual’ attribute |
Flip Board | Flip the board view | |
Home view | Home | Home view |
CAD Color Style | Use a CAD color style based on the diffuse color of the material | |
Use Diffuse Only | Use only the diffuse color property from model 3D model file | |
Use All Properties | Use all material properties from each 3D model file | |
Move board Down | Down | Move board Down |
Move board Left | Left | Move board Left |
Move board Right | Right | Move board Right |
Move board Up | Up | Move board Up |
No 3D Grid | No 3D Grid | |
Center pivot rotation | Space | Center pivot rotation (middle mouse click) |
Post-processing | Apply Screen Space Ambient Occlusion and Global Illumination reflections on final render (slow) | |
Procedural Textures | Apply procedural textures to materials (slow) | |
Render Shadows | Render Shadows | |
Reset view | R | Reset view |
Rotate 45 degrees over Z axis | Tab | |
Rotate X Clockwise | Rotate X Clockwise | |
Rotate X Counterclockwise | Rotate X Counterclockwise | |
Rotate Y Clockwise | Rotate Y Clockwise | |
Rotate Y Counterclockwise | Rotate Y Counterclockwise | |
Rotate Z Clockwise | Rotate Z Clockwise | |
Rotate Z Counterclockwise | Rotate Z Counterclockwise | |
3D Grid 1mm | 3D Grid 1mm | |
3D Grid 2.5mm | 3D Grid 2.5mm | |
3D Grid 5mm | 3D Grid 5mm | |
3D Grid 10mm | 3D Grid 10mm | |
Show 3D Axis | Show 3D Axis | |
Show Model Bounding Boxes | Show Model Bounding Boxes | |
Reflections | Render materials with reflective properties on final render (slow) | |
Refractions | Render materials with refractive properties on final render (slow) | |
Toggle adhesive display | Toggle display of adhesive layers | |
Toggle board body display | Toggle board body display | |
Toggle comments display | Toggle display of comments and drawings layers | |
Toggle ECO display | Toggle display of ECO layers | |
Toggle orthographic projection | Enable/disable orthographic projection | |
Toggle realistic mode | Toggle realistic mode | |
Toggle silkscreen display | Toggle display of silkscreen layers | |
Toggle solder mask display | Toggle display of solder mask layers | |
Toggle solder paste display | Toggle display of solder paste layers | |
Toggle zone display | Toggle zone display | |
View Back | Shift+Y | View Back |
View Bottom | Shift+Z | View Bottom |
View Front | Y | View Front |
View Left | Shift+X | View Left |
View Right | X | View Right |
View Top | Z | View Top |