Kicad Open Source EDA

Kicad is an open source (GPL) software for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and printed circuit board artwork. Designed and written by Jean-Pierre Charras, a researcher at LIS (Laboratoire des Images et des Signaux) and a teacher in IUT de Saint Martin d’Hères.(France), in the field of electrical engineering and image processing.

KiCad EDA Software Suite

The electrical rules check (ERC) automatically verifies your schematic connections. It checks for output pin conflicts, missing drivers and unconnected pins.

KiCad comes bundled with a vast library of symbols, footprints, and matching 3D models. They are community maintained so they never stop improving.

Make professional PCB layouts with up to 32 copper layers. This modern tool will help you lay out your board faster. As you draw your track, it pushes forward traces that are in the way. If that is not possible, your track will be rerouted around obstacles.

KiCad consists of ..

• kicad – the project manager
• eeschema – the schematic editor.
• cvpcb – the footprint selector for components used in the circuit design.
• pcbnew – the PCB layout program.
• gerbview – the Gerber (photoplotter documents) viewer.