KiCad Overview

An open source electronics design software package.
https://www.kicad-pcb.org

Shawn Hymel from Digikey has a good overview tutorial playlist. Here's a summary for future reference.

video

Workflow:

• Design circuit
• Create symbols (in the Symbol Editor)
• Schematic Capture (in the Schematic Layout Editor)
• Create footprints (in the Footprint Editor)
• Generate Netlist
• Board Layout (in the PCB Layout Editor)

• In the Symbol Editor: File > New Library.
  • Save the .lib file local to your project (eg: projects folder) or available to multiple projects (eg: documents > KiCad > Libraries).
• Choose Global if the symbol can be used for multiple projects or Project if it's project-specific.

• In the Symbol Editor: File > New Symbol
• Select the library you just created
• Give the symbol a name & Reference designator code. Click OK
• Shortcuts: hover mouse over object and press:
  • m (move)
  • r (rotate)
  • e (edit)
  • x (delete)
  • insert-key (duplicate current pin). If the key doesn't work, change it to something else in preferences > Hotkeys > Repeat Pin. I set it to d.
• Click 'Add pins' icon on the right (or press p), and click anywhere on the page to add a pin. Enter the name and pin number.
• Pin conventions:
  • Pin names are in capitals
  • Starting a pin name with ~ gives the pin name a horizontal bar over the name, indicating the pin is active LOW.
  • Put pins 2 grid spaces apart for legibility.
• place all pins and orient them with the little circle on the outside.
• draw box (graphic rectangle icon) touching the straight ends of the pins.
• Symbol conventions
  • Origin should be in the center
  • The Reference designator goes to the top left of the symbol
  • The part name sits in the bottom right of the symbol box
• Save and close.