Public:KiCad - Revision history

Mw87: /* Export for Manufacturing */

2025-03-17T03:59:48Z

Export for Manufacturing

Lukeag3: /* Starting a Project */

2025-03-03T22:02:12Z

Starting a Project

Lukeag3 at 22:02, 9 June 2024

2024-06-09T22:02:02Z

Lukeag3: /* Library Setup */

2023-11-09T18:59:16Z

Library Setup

Lukeag3: /* Library Setup */

2023-11-09T18:58:46Z

Library Setup

Lukeag3: /* Library Setup */

2023-11-09T18:58:38Z

Library Setup

Lukeag3: /* Library Setup */

2023-11-09T18:58:24Z

Library Setup

Lukeag3: /* Starting a Project */

2023-11-09T18:55:32Z

Starting a Project

Lukeag3: /* Library Setup */

2023-11-09T18:55:09Z

Library Setup

Lukeag3: Update for seperate isc-hw-libs

2023-11-09T18:51:49Z

Update for seperate isc-hw-libs

@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 == Export for Manufacturing ==
 To manufacture your files you simply need to export the [https://bayareacircuits.com/are-you-providing-your-pcb-manufacturer-with-the-correct-files/ needed files]. That is, [[wikipedia:Gerber_format|the Gerber X2 Files]] for each relevant layer and the drill file for the board outline and holes (such as mounting). You will do this using KiCad Plot functionality.
-# You can follow [http://support.seeedstudio.com/knowledgebase/articles/1824574-how-to-generate-gerber-and-drill-files-from-kicad this tutorial] to export the files for your board.
+# You can follow [https://uofi.app.box.com/file/1805212146799 this] to export the files for your board.
 #* Make sure the drill file is exported in '''millimeters''', not mils or inches. Otherwise the Bay Area Circuits DFM will round and possible fail your board due to rounding.
 # Compress all of the files into a .zip file. This .zip is what will be sent to the manufacturer and what goes on Git. Do not upload the individual files. This .zip should be inside your project folder

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 Now you are good to go working on your project! Make sure to follow the [[Schematic Conventions]] and [[Layout Standards]].
 == Viewing Old Projects ==
@@ Line 58: / Line 65: @@
 * For KiCad v5 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v5 Projects]]
 * For KiCad v6 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v6 Projects]]
-* For KiCad v7 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v7 Projects|Viewing KiCad v7Projects]]
+* For KiCad v7 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v7 Projects]]
 * For Diptrace files you will need to install Diptrace to view. See [[Electrical Software Instructions]] for info on activation and install.
 * For KiCad Projects without library tables (we originally used Global Libraries)

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 If you have any trouble with this set-up you can get help on {{SlackLink|elec-cad}} or speak to other electrical team members.
-{{RemarksBox Info|Title=We use KiCad v7|Text=We are currently using KiCad v7. Major versions of KiCad are not cross-compatible. Make sure you use a KiCad v7 production release. Nightly Releases are also not compatible with production releases.}}
+{{RemarksBox Info|Title=We use KiCad v8|Text=We are currently using KiCad v8. Major versions of KiCad are not cross-compatible. Make sure you use a KiCad v8 production release. Nightly Releases are also not compatible with production releases.}}
-{{RemarksBox Warn|Title=Images may Differ|Text=Minor versions of KiCad v7 have had many cosmetic updates, the images below may look a bit different than what you see.}}
+{{RemarksBox Warn|Title=Images may Differ|Text=Minor versions of KiCad v8 have had many cosmetic updates, the images below may look a bit different than what you see.}}
 {{RemarksBox
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
    | width           = 100%
    | Title           = Use the Template for New Designs
-   | Text            = You must start your projects from the KiCad v7 template or they will not be accepted! This can be found in the Dev folder of our PCB repo. If you have started without the template you should create a new project from the template and copy your board into that (Note: in KiCad v7 this is a simple ctrl+c, ctrl+v). You can ask for help with this on {{SlackLink|elec-cad}}
+   | Text            = You must start your projects from the KiCad v8 template or they will not be accepted! This can be found in the Dev folder of our PCB repo. If you have started without the template you should create a new project from the template and copy your board into that (Note: in KiCad v8 this is a simple ctrl+c, ctrl+v). You can ask for help with this on {{SlackLink|elec-cad}}
 }}
 == First Time Setup ==
-A video tutorial for downloading and setting up [[GitHub]] as well as cloning the PCB repository can be found in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VV7DvNGEA8&list=PLYWKqdG09eYLCqh8V8gjJpYXOJ60yJ5xG&index=1 the first video of Rahul's KiCad tutorials playlist]. The video goes over KiCad v5, but the installation process is very similar to v7.
+A video tutorial for downloading and setting up [[GitHub]] as well as cloning the PCB repository can be found in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VV7DvNGEA8&list=PLYWKqdG09eYLCqh8V8gjJpYXOJ60yJ5xG&index=1 the first video of Rahul's KiCad tutorials playlist]. The video goes over KiCad v5, but the installation process is very similar to v8.
 === Install and Run ===
-# [https://www.kicad.org/download/ Download the latest '''7.0.7''' version] of KiCad for your operating system
+# [https://www.kicad.org/download/ Download the latest '''8.x.x''' version] of KiCad for your operating system
 #* Some OS's have special instuctions - follow them.
 #** Note that KiCad has historically had stability issues on OSX / MacOS. If you have access to Windows or Linux those are recommended.
 #* KiCad is available on many Linux package managers - make sure you do not get the nightly version.
 #* Otherwise KiCad installs like any other program
 # As you go through the install wizard you can use the default options
@@ Line 33: / Line 31: @@
 === Library Setup ===
-''Note: This applies to KiCad v6 and v7 projects on GitHub since'' {{GithubPRLink|repo=isc-hw-libs|number=84}}.''This should cover most projects, and all new projects. But if you need to view older projects please update them following the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v5 Projects]]''
+''Note: This applies to KiCad v6, v7, and v8 projects on GitHub since'' {{GithubPRLink|repo=isc-hw-libs|number=84}}.''This should cover most projects, and all new projects. But if you need to view older projects please update them following the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v5 Projects]]''
 Our libraries, as well as KiCad's own schematic symbol libraries, our libraries are now back to their own repo. Make sure you've followed the [[GitHub]] directions in order to get those libraries on your machine. They are in the the seperate [https://github.com/IlliniSolarCar/isc-hw-libs/ isc-hw-libs] repo. If you first open a schematic in KiCad, without setting this up, you'll probably see a lot of question marks (?) all around the schematic. To fix this follow the below instructions.
@@ Line 59: / Line 57: @@
 * For KiCad v4 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Upgrading a project from KiCad 4 to KiCad 5]]
 * For KiCad v5 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v5 Projects]]
-* For KiCad v6 Projects - follow the instrictions at [[Viewing KiCad v6 Projects]]
+* For KiCad v6 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v6 Projects]]
 * For Diptrace files you will need to install Diptrace to view. See [[Electrical Software Instructions]] for info on activation and install.
 * For KiCad Projects without library tables (we originally used Global Libraries)

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 # Click on ''Preferences --> Configure Paths...''
 # Add a new path (press "Add") with the name <code>ISC_SYMBOL_DIR</code> and insert the path to the isc-hw-libs repo: <code>PathOnYourComputer\isc-hw-libs</code>
-[[File:KiCad Libs Config.png|frame|145x145px|Your Environment Variable should look like this]]This should be all you need! Our libraries are now managed using project specific libraries specified by the library tables in the project (provided with the template project)
+[[File:KiCad Libs Config.png|none|frame|Your Environment Variable should look like this]]This should be all you need! Our libraries are now managed using project specific libraries specified by the library tables in the project (provided with the template project)
 === Starting a Project ===

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 # Click on ''Preferences --> Configure Paths...''
 # Add a new path (press "Add") with the name <code>ISC_SYMBOL_DIR</code> and insert the path to the isc-hw-libs repo: <code>PathOnYourComputer\isc-hw-libs</code>
-[[File:KiCad Libs Config.png|none|frame|145x145px|Your Environment Variable should look like this]]This should be all you need! Our libraries are now managed using project specific libraries specified by the library tables in the project (provided with the template project)
+[[File:KiCad Libs Config.png|frame|145x145px|Your Environment Variable should look like this]]This should be all you need! Our libraries are now managed using project specific libraries specified by the library tables in the project (provided with the template project)
 === Starting a Project ===

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 # Create a branch for your project in the PCB Repo (See [[GitHub/PCB]] for specific guidelines) <code>git checkout -b <branch></code>
-#* If you need to make new symbols or footprints see [[Adding_Symbols_%26_Footprints_to_KiCad]] you also need to create a branch in the [https://github.com/IlliniSolarCar/isc-hw-libs/ isc-hw-libs] repo. If you are unsure, you can always do this later when the need arises. (See [[GitHub/Libraries]] for more info)
+#* If you need to make new symbols or footprints see [[Adding Symbols %26 Footprints to KiCad]] you also need to create a branch in the [https://github.com/IlliniSolarCar/isc-hw-libs/ isc-hw-libs] repo. If you are unsure, you can always do this later when the need arises. (See [[GitHub/Libraries]] for more info)
 # Copy the latest template from the Dev Folder (make sure you <code>git checkout master</code> and <code>git pull</code>first) <code>PathOnYourComputer\PCB/Dev/Template_v0.0</code> to the location where your project will live
 # Rename your project following the naming conventions - you will need to rename the folder and every named file manually.

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ''Note: This applies to KiCad v6 and v7 projects on GitHub since'' {{GithubPRLink|repo=isc-hw-libs|number=84}}.''This should cover most projects, and all new projects. But if you need to view older projects please update them following the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v5 Projects]]''
-Our libraries, as well as KiCad's own schematic symbol libraries, have now been moved to a submodule of the main repo. Make sure you've followed the [[GitHub]] directions in order to get those libraries on your machine. They are in the Libraries folder of the PCB repository. If you first open a schematic in KiCad, without setting this up, you'll probably see a lot of question marks (?) all around the schematic. To fix this follow the below instructions.
+Our libraries, as well as KiCad's own schematic symbol libraries, our libraries are now back to their own repo. Make sure you've followed the [[GitHub]] directions in order to get those libraries on your machine. They are in the the seperate [https://github.com/IlliniSolarCar/isc-hw-libs/ isc-hw-libs] repo. If you first open a schematic in KiCad, without setting this up, you'll probably see a lot of question marks (?) all around the schematic. To fix this follow the below instructions.
 To setup the Libraries in General we need to let KiCad know where they are! To prevent our set-up from Interfering with your outside usage of KiCad we use ISC specific Environment Variables.
 # Open KiCad. Start these Instructions from the home screen
 # Click on ''Preferences --> Configure Paths...''
-# Add a new path (press "Add") with the name <code>ISC_SYMBOL_DIR</code> and insert the path to the Libraries in your repo: <code>PathOnYourComputer\PCB\Libraries</code>
+# Add a new path (press "Add") with the name <code>ISC_SYMBOL_DIR</code> and insert the path to the isc-hw-libs repo: <code>PathOnYourComputer\isc-hw-libs</code>
 [[File:Kicad symbol path.png|none|frame|Your Environment Variable should look like this]]This should be all you need! Our libraries are now managed using project specific libraries specified by the library tables in the project (provided with the template project)
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 # Create a branch for your project in the PCB Repo (See [[GitHub/PCB]] for specific guidelines) <code>git checkout -b <branch></code>
-#* If you need to make new symbols or footprints you also need to create a branch in the Libraries repo. If you are unsure, you can always do this later when the need arises. (See [[GitHub/Libraries]] for more info)
+#* If you need to make new symbols or footprints see [[Adding_Symbols_%26_Footprints_to_KiCad]] you also need to create a branch in the [https://github.com/IlliniSolarCar/isc-hw-libs/ isc-hw-libs] repo. If you are unsure, you can always do this later when the need arises. (See [[GitHub/Libraries]] for more info)
-# Copy the latest template from the Dev Folder to the location where your project will live
+# Copy the latest template from the Dev Folder (make sure you <code>git checkout master</code> and <code>git pull</code>first) <code>PathOnYourComputer\PCB/Dev/Template_v0.0</code> to the location where your project will live
 # Rename your project following the naming conventions - you will need to rename the folder and every named file manually.
 #* Do not rename the <code>.kicad_wks</code> file or others files not named for the template - otherwise your settings and/or libraries may not be set-up right
 # Make an initial commit to the PCB Repo to create your branch on Github. (Use <code>git push --set-upstream origin <branch> </code> for the first push)
 Now you are good to go working on your project! Make sure to follow the [[Schematic Conventions]] and [[Layout Standards]].
@@ Line 60: / Line 59: @@
 * For KiCad v4 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Upgrading a project from KiCad 4 to KiCad 5]]
 * For KiCad v5 Projects - follow the instructions at [[Viewing KiCad v5 Projects]]
 * For Diptrace files you will need to install Diptrace to view. See [[Electrical Software Instructions]] for info on activation and install.
 * For KiCad Projects without library tables (we originally used Global Libraries)
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 # Click on ''Preferences'' --> ''Configure Paths...''
 # Change <code>KICAD_SYMBOL_DIR</code> (click on it and then "Edit") to the path of the Libraries folder
-#* The Libraries folder should be <code><ISC folder>\PCB\Libraries</code>
+#* The Libraries folder should be <code><ISC folder>\isc-hw-libs</code>
 '''Schematic Symbols'''
@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 #* Make sure you are on the Global Libraries tab of the popup box
 # Select all (ctrl+A or cmd+A) the libraries that are there by default and remove them
-# Then click on ''Browse Libraries...''  -->  navigate to the folder called '''schematic''' in the Libraries folder in our repo  --> select all --> Click <nowiki>''</nowiki>Open<nowiki>''</nowiki>
+# Then click on ''Browse Libraries...''  -->  navigate to the folder called '''schematic''' in the isc-hw-libs repo  --> select all --> Click <nowiki>''</nowiki>Open<nowiki>''</nowiki>
 #* These are the custom ones we've made for solar car parts.
 #* Make sure you add these first; we override some of the default library symbols
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 #* Make sure you are on the Global Libraries tab of the popup box
 # Click ''Browse Libraries...''
-# Navigate to the Libraries folder inside the PCB repo
+# Navigate to the isc-hw-libs repo
-# Inside the Libraries folder is a folder called layout.pretty
+# Inside the isc-hw-libs repo is a folder called layout.pretty
 #* KiCad uses the .pretty extension on folder names to delineate footprint libraries
 # Select the layout.pretty folder and click ''OK''
@@ Line 100: / Line 100: @@
 The ''Tools -> Edit Symbol Fields'' table can act as a BOM Previewer within KiCad to view all of your parts and their info. You can also mass edit things (such as applying part numbers to a bunch of the same part)
-See the [[KiCad/BOM]] page for info on how to export the BOM for different usages!
+See the [[Adding a BOM to PartsBox]] for our current workflow and [[KiCad/BOM]] page for info on how to export the BOM for different usages!
 == Export for Manufacturing ==
@@ Line 109: / Line 109: @@
 # Once you have this .zip you can run the DFM report to make sure that passes
 # When the Board Run is ready the DFM report and zip file will be sent in.
-# For assembly you will also need the Bill of Materials (above) in [[Partsbox]]
+# For assembly you will also need the Bill of Materials (above) in [[Partsbox]], [[Adding a BOM to PartsBox]]
 == Plugins ==