Kicad

acenovelty · 12th December 2005, 03:49 PM

Hello All,
Are there any users of Kicad out there?
I have just begun to use it and am wondering if my noobieness is the problem or is it somewhat clunky with modules etc.
The software loaded up just fine on my dual 1G Xeon. But it seems many things are obscure for use. Making your own part, importing parts and so on.

Regards

rinox · 17th December 2005, 09:03 PM

Hi.. kicad, is a good app if you think that it cost nothing, by the way it's not really for newbies and component's libraries are very small, you must make yourself your library.
If you plan to make a board max 10 x 8 cm and max two layers, you can use the free version of Eagle pcb cad (wich have a lot of component' s libraries available).

acenovelty · 17th December 2005, 11:42 PM

Actually a 20 x 16 cm board is about the smallest I have any use for.
Since my experience with all these software programs (including Eagle pcb cad) is either there is no library part or the footprint is only marginally close at best, one might as well make the part accurately and press on.
Not really searching for a free program specifically. IMO it is foolish to pay big money (any money) for marginal products and then have all the hassles anyway.
An admitted newbie with this type product. How does that relate to the quality of the product if a noob can find such errors right away? Hmmmmm. Managed to learn dos4 when it was new and the latest and greatest. Probably can handle this.
KiCad gets easier as I fix the library and part foot print. But when you quit the program, most things revert back to the install default.

Regards

AudioWizard · 18th December 2005, 08:39 PM

Kicad has too many shortcomings for my taste.

I used to use Proteus, then I switched to TinyCAD + FreePCB, which are free and pretty good.

acenovelty · 20th December 2005, 06:24 PM

If you fix the footprint in the library, it's just OK. Library editing doesn't seem to have a good way to preview the changes. Hard copy print, light box, match to known proper device.
Free always has a price.
Sample from pcbnew, the board editor. Not supported by a schematic. Just find and paste as if you have a magazine foil pic.

12th December 2005, 03:49 PM	#1
acenovelty diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: SF Bay Area	Kicad Hello All, Are there any users of Kicad out there? I have just begun to use it and am wondering if my noobieness is the problem or is it somewhat clunky with modules etc. The software loaded up just fine on my dual 1G Xeon. But it seems many things are obscure for use. Making your own part, importing parts and so on. Regards __________________ Two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead.

17th December 2005, 11:42 PM	#3
acenovelty diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: SF Bay Area	Actually a 20 x 16 cm board is about the smallest I have any use for. Since my experience with all these software programs (including Eagle pcb cad) is either there is no library part or the footprint is only marginally close at best, one might as well make the part accurately and press on. Not really searching for a free program specifically. IMO it is foolish to pay big money (any money) for marginal products and then have all the hassles anyway. An admitted newbie with this type product. How does that relate to the quality of the product if a noob can find such errors right away? Hmmmmm. Managed to learn dos4 when it was new and the latest and greatest. Probably can handle this. KiCad gets easier as I fix the library and part foot print. But when you quit the program, most things revert back to the install default. Regards __________________ Two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead.

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17th December 2005, 09:03 PM	#2
rinox diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Hi.. kicad, is a good app if you think that it cost nothing, by the way it's not really for newbies and component's libraries are very small, you must make yourself your library. If you plan to make a board max 10 x 8 cm and max two layers, you can use the free version of Eagle pcb cad (wich have a lot of component' s libraries available).

18th December 2005, 08:39 PM	#4
AudioWizard diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southern France	Kicad has too many shortcomings for my taste. I used to use Proteus, then I switched to TinyCAD + FreePCB, which are free and pretty good.

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