Getting Started With KiCad.

[dragonbat13]

Alright, first of all I'm a complete newbie with KiCad. I know absolutely NOTHING about it or anything at all about building PCB boards. But I want to learn and figured I would share my process.

Right now I'm reading this:
https://docs.kicad.org/6.0/en/getting_s ... kicad.html

It's link is from the KiCad forum. I paid 15 dollars donation (not required, the program is totally free), and downloaded version 6 on my laptop on 11/3/2022.

I have been working on a vintage bassman and wanted full documentation on anything I do to it. So I started learning how to build a schematic by using an ab165 schematic from the fender amp field guide. You know, the one nobody can hardly read?

Anyway, that's where I'm at. I plan on posting my progress.

Reason I'm doing this is because I feel more members on here would try it out if there was a thread showing a work in progress.

The schematic I'm building is most likely done wrong, but just by doing what I've done I have learned a few really cool features on the program. I certainly wish I would have done in sooner.

Once I learn how to do it I will post some attachments of the stuff I've done so far.

Any members on here with beginners advice, feel free to chime in.

[xtian]

Subscribed.

[gktamps]

Yeah, I'm on the learning curve, too. Fortunately I have been able to get assistance from a friend who has designed some quite complex solid state boards as well as lots of smaller projects. Spent an hour on the phone with him and learned more than 10 hours of bumbling around the internet and YT.

[T Wilcox]

I use Kicad for both PCB designs and some Faceplate and backplates for the rack preamps I build.
This video is what got me started on using KiCad https://youtu.be/UOQezMJ560o
After doing a faceplate I figured there wasnt too much more to learn to design a pcb so I did that next.
When using eschema for schematics once you get familiar with the hotkeys like copy(C), paste(P), move(M) etc drawing a full schem becomes really quick
If you will be doing PCB's there is a bunch more to learn regarding finding or designing footprints and trace size
There are a ton of great videos online to teach how to use it as well as a facebook group with people that willing to help out
Let me know if there are any specific questions you have that I could help with

Todd

[kuDo]

Any members on here with beginners advice, feel free to chime in.

Hello,

I have started KiCad in februari 2022 last year.
I have created my first PCB for my JCM800. Although I still have a slight issue with the amp, the PCB I made is great!

I started with these lessons:
https://www.udemy.com/course/kicad-like-a-pro-3e/
It costs 15 euro's and it is all you need.

[imjonwain]

Yeah, it's a little tricky but honestly the learning curve isn't any worse than any other PCB software around. I use DxDesigner at work and either KiCad or my pre-autodesk Eagle license I have for home.

my only advice would be plan for your libraries, it's the most annoying part. If you check out the madbeanpedals forum there is a community library there for kicad put together that might have some useful symbols/footprints made that could save you time. But it is good to learn how to make them and get used to being a "librarian".