You can find KiCad here.
Video tutorials:
This is a collection of the KiCad libraries I’ve used in my projects so far:
- Add graphics to your PCB using the new img2mod Image Converter for Kicad
- atmega8_168_328_dip.tgz, ATmega8_168_328_DIP
- atmega8_168_328_tqfp.tgz, ATmega8_168_328_TQFP
- madw__ledsee_8x8_rgb.tgz, 8×8 RGB LED matrix manufactured by LEDSEE.COM
- madw__lph_sw.tgz, mini switch type LPH by SCHURTER
- madw__so16.tgz custom SO16 footprint
- madw__hc49u-s.tgz custom quartz HC49U-S footprint (low profile)
- madw__tqfp_32_7x7.tgz custom TQFP_32_7x7 footprint
- Rotary-Encoders.pretty (footprints) [1][2]
- Nichia-LEDs.pretty (footprints) [1][2]
Useful information:
- KiCad Cloud – easily share symbols and footprints
- >> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/ <<
- KiCad libraries
- Parts + 3D models !
- Parts + 3D models !
- KiCad reference library ( mirrored from http://library.oshec.org/ )
- A good KiCad tutorial
- Getting the freerouting.net autorouter (good!) to use different track widths for different nets (e.g. VCC, GND, SIGNAL)
- ‘Mask clearance’ should always be smaller than ‘Clearance’. Rule of thumb: MK < 0.5*C ! Otherwise tracks may not be covered by the mask near pins, which easily creates tons of shorts if just a bit too much solder is used. Or just set MK to zero :-)
- Make sure your drill file is acceptable to the fab house you use! I’ve successfully ordered boards using these settings.
External tools:
- gerbmerge – merge gerber files. Useful for panelization.
- Panelizing gerber files with gerbmerge
- Online 3D gerber viewer