PCB Design with KiCad 8

Welcome to the PCB Design with KiCad 8 repository—a comprehensive guide for mastering the design of single, double, and multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs) using KiCad 8. This guide walks you through the entire PCB design process, from schematic creation to final layout, utilizing KiCad's powerful suite of tools and features.

• Explore the complete guide here: mdBook
• 

Course Overview

This guide is structured around the Udemy Course taught by Dr. Peter Dalmaris, offering a detailed, step-by-step journey through the PCB design process. Through hands-on, project-based learning, you'll gain expertise in:

• The complete PCB design workflow, from concept to production.
• Creating and managing schematics in KiCad.
• Associating schematic symbols with PCB footprints.
• Crafting professional PCB layouts.
• Mastering essential PCB design concepts such as edge cuts, copper pours, mounting holes, traces, solder masks, and silkscreen.
• Deep familiarity with KiCad's interface, tools, configurations, and project management.

Key Topics

1. PCB Design Process

• Step-by-step guide to designing single, double, and multi-layer PCBs.
• Understanding key PCB concepts: edge cuts, mounting holes, traces, and more.

2. Schematic Design

• Creating and managing schematics using KiCad's powerful schematic editor.
• Associating schematic symbols with their corresponding footprints.

3. PCB Layout Design

• Best practices for creating professional-grade PCB layouts.
• Implementing advanced techniques: copper fills, solder masks, silkscreens, and precise component placement.

4. Mastering KiCad Tools

• Detailed breakdown of KiCad’s apps, toolbars, and menus.
• Efficient project file management and configuration tips for optimal performance.

Project-Based Learning Approach

This guide emphasizes practical, hands-on experience. Each lesson is tied to real-world projects, ensuring that the concepts you learn can be directly applied to your own PCB designs. The focus is on reinforcing theoretical knowledge through real projects that simulate industry practices.

Course Reference

This guide draws inspiration from the Udemy course KiCad Like a Pro by Dr. Peter Dalmaris, ensuring that you're learning from one of the best resources available for KiCad 8.

ToDo's

• Introduction
• KiCad
• Schematic Design
• Layout
• Design Principles
• Workflows
• Symbols in Eeschema
• Footprints in Pcbnew
• Project: Power Supply
• Project: MCU Data Logger
• Recipes