Overview
KiCad is a cross-platform and open-source Electronic Design Automation (EDA) suite. It includes a schematic editor, a PCB layout tool, a 3D viewer, and a Gerber file viewer. It’s a powerful tool for designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Installation
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo add-apt-repository --yes ppa:kicad/kicad-6.0-releases
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends kicad
# macOS
brew install --cask kicad
# Windows
# Download from https://www.kicad.org/download/windows/
General Hotkeys
| Hotkey | Action |
|---|
Ctrl+N | New Project |
Ctrl+O | Open Project |
Ctrl+S | Save File |
Ctrl+Z | Undo |
Ctrl+Y | Redo |
Ctrl+F | Find |
F1 | Help |
Alt+F4 | Exit |
Schematic Editor Hotkeys
General
| Hotkey | Action |
|---|
? | List all hotkeys |
Space | Start placing a component |
A | Add a symbol |
W | Wire |
B | Bus |
J | Junction |
L | Label |
T | Text |
K | No-Connection Flag |
V | Value |
F | Field |
U | Update PCB from Schematic |
Component Manipulation
| Hotkey | Action |
|---|
M | Move |
R | Rotate |
G | Drag |
C | Copy |
Del | Delete |
E | Edit |
Q | Edit Value |
PCB Editor Hotkeys
General
| Hotkey | Action |
|---|
? | List all hotkeys |
PageUp | Switch to Top Layer |
PageDown | Switch to Bottom Layer |
+ | Next Layer |
- | Previous Layer |
F5 | Switch to Top Layer |
F6 | Switch to Bottom Layer |
F7 | Switch to Inner Layer 1 |
F8 | Switch to Inner Layer 2 |
Tab | Highlight Net |
~ | Show/Hide Ratsnest |
Drawing
| Hotkey | Action |
|---|
X | Route Tracks |
V | Add Via |
D | Drag Track |
G | Drag Item |
Ctrl+M | Move Exactly |
F | Flip Item to Opposite Side |
Z | Add Filled Zone |
Ctrl+B | Refill All Zones |
3D Viewer
| Hotkey | Action |
|---|
Z | Zoom to Fit |
R | Reload 3D View |
O | Orthographic Projection |
P | Perspective Projection |
Tips and Tricks
- Use Projects: Always start with a project file (
.pro) to keep your schematic and PCB files linked. - Libraries: KiCad comes with a large library of symbols and footprints. You can also add your own or download them from the internet.
- Design Rules: Set up your design rules in the PCB editor to ensure your board can be manufactured.
- 3D Viewer: Use the 3D viewer to check for mechanical conflicts and to get a realistic view of your board.
- Custom Hotkeys: You can customize the hotkeys in the preferences to match your workflow.
See Also