KiCad Tools
KiCad Tools
Source Control
To be able to participate in development, proper source control tools and practices must be used; hence the below applications are required.
| Name | Type | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Git | Source Control | A distributed version control system for tracking changes in source code during development. | Required. |
| GitHub | Source Control | A web-based platform that provides hosting for software development version control using Git. | Required. |
| kiri | Source Control | A visual tool for reviewing schematics and layouts of KiCad projects that are version-controlled with Git. | Required. Used to visualize source diffs. |
Plugins
Install the following plugins from the “Plugin And Content Manager” within KiCad before starting development. The notes column indicates which are required.
| Name | Type | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HierarchicalPcb | Board Design | Tool for creating hierarchical PCB layouts, mirroring sub-schematics with unlimited nesting depth. | Required. |
| freerouting | Board Design | Advanced PCB auto-router compatible with any design software using a Specctra or Electra DSN interface. | Required. |
| kicad-parts-placer-pcm | Board Design | KiCad Plugin for Automatic Parts Placement. | Required. |
| uConfig | Preprocessing | Optional, not in KiCad PCM. Datasheet pinout extractor from PDF and library Stylizer for KiCad. | Only when there is no existing online for that part. |
| kicad-via-patterns | Board Design | KiCad plugin for placing via patterns respecting clearance rules and trace width. | Optionally for when when numerous vias are required. |
| RF-tools-KiCAD | Board Design | KiCad RF tools: footprints wizard, round tracks, mask expander, via fencing. | Not in KiCad PCM. Specially for high-frequency boards. |
| KiBuzzard | Board Design | Adaptation of the Eagle-based plugin Buzzard for KiCad, enabling easy creation of labels in various fonts with inverted backgrounds. | Specially for aesthetics. |
| InteractiveHtmlBom | Documentation | Interactive HTML BOM generation plugin for KiCad and other PCB design software. | Goal is to use as part of KiBot |
| PcbDraw | Documentation | Converts KiCad boards into nicely looking 2D drawings suitable for pinout diagrams. | Not in KiCad PCM. Goal is to use as part of KiBot |
External Tools
Many of these tools are for advanced/rarely used methods and/or high-level project management and technical communication and it is hence not required to install / use these if you are working purely on design.
| Name | Type | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| altium2kicad | Preprocessing | Altium to KiCad converter for PCB and schematics. | |
| Gingerbread | Board Design | Tool for converting vector artwork to KiCad PCB files that lives in your browser. | |
| gerber2blend | Analysis | Tool for exporting PCB fabrication (Gerber) files into Blender models created by AntMicro. | |
| gerber2ems | Analysis | Tool for simulating trace signal integrity from PCB production files using openEMS. | |
| KiBot | Documentation | Program for generating fabrication and documentation files for KiCad projects, with support for CI/CD environments. | Requested addition of InteractiveHtmlBom as issue on repo. |
| kicanvas | Documentation | KiCad schematic and PCB web viewer. | Access via kicanvas.org. |