grabowski
97096f519d
- Update README.md clone URL to https://git.b4l.co.th/B4L/b4l-project-template.git - Update KICAD-PROJECT-TEMPLATE.md clone URL to new repository location - Ensure all documentation references the correct repository URL
256 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
256 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
# KiCad 9 Project Template Guide
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This document provides a comprehensive guide for using this KiCad 9 project template effectively.
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## 🚀 Getting Started
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### 1. Clone or Download Template
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```bash
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# Option A: Clone the repository
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git clone https://git.b4l.co.th/B4L/b4l-project-template.git your-project-name
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cd your-project-name
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# Option B: Download as ZIP and extract to your desired location
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```
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### 2. Create Your KiCad Project
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1. Open KiCad 9
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2. **File → New Project**
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3. Navigate to your template directory
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4. Create project in the root directory (same level as README.md)
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5. Name your project (creates `.kicad_pro`, `.kicad_sch`, `.kicad_pcb` files)
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### 3. Configure KiCad Libraries
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1. **Preferences → Manage Symbol Libraries**
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- Add path: `${KIPRJMOD}/kicad/libraries/symbols/`
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2. **Preferences → Manage Footprint Libraries**
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- Add path: `${KIPRJMOD}/kicad/libraries/footprints/`
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3. **Preferences → Configure Paths**
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- Add 3D models path: `${KIPRJMOD}/kicad/libraries/3dmodels/`
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## 📁 Directory Structure Overview
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```
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your-project/
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├── your-project.kicad_pro # Main project file
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├── your-project.kicad_sch # Main schematic
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├── your-project.kicad_pcb # Main PCB layout
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├── README.md # Project documentation
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├── .gitignore # Git ignore rules
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├── LICENSE # Project license
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│
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├── kicad/ # KiCad-specific files
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│ ├── libraries/ # Custom libraries
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│ │ ├── symbols/ # Custom symbols (.kicad_sym)
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│ │ ├── footprints/ # Custom footprints (.pretty)
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│ │ └── 3dmodels/ # 3D models (.step, .wrl)
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│ ├── schematics/ # Hierarchical sheets
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│ ├── gerbers/ # Generated Gerbers (review)
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│ ├── plots/ # PDF plots
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│ └── backups/ # Auto backups (git ignored)
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│
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├── hardware/ # Hardware documentation
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│ ├── bom/ # Bill of Materials
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│ ├── datasheets/ # Component datasheets
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│ ├── simulations/ # SPICE simulations
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│ └── assembly/ # Assembly instructions
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│
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├── manufacturing/ # Production files
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│ ├── gerbers/ # Final production Gerbers
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│ ├── drill/ # Drill files
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│ ├── pick-and-place/ # SMT placement files
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│ └── assembly/ # Production assembly docs
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│
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├── docs/ # Project documentation
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│ ├── images/ # Documentation images
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│ ├── datasheets/ # Reference datasheets
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│ ├── user-manual/ # End-user documentation
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│ └── design-notes/ # Technical design docs
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│
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├── mechanical/ # Mechanical design
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├── firmware/ # Embedded code (if applicable)
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├── software/ # PC software and tools
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├── tests/ # Testing procedures
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├── tools/ # Development tools
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├── ci/ # Continuous integration
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├── certs/ # Certifications
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└── meta/ # Project metadata
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```
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## 🔄 Recommended Workflow
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### Phase 1: Design Setup
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1. **Requirements**: Document in `docs/design-notes/requirements.md`
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2. **Architecture**: Create system overview in `docs/design-notes/architecture.md`
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3. **Component Research**: Save datasheets to `docs/datasheets/`
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### Phase 2: Schematic Design
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1. **Main Schematic**: Design in root `.kicad_sch` file
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2. **Hierarchical Sheets**: Store in `kicad/schematics/`
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3. **Custom Symbols**: Create in `kicad/libraries/symbols/`
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4. **Design Review**: Document in `docs/design-notes/design-reviews/`
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### Phase 3: PCB Layout
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1. **PCB Design**: Layout in root `.kicad_pcb` file
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2. **Custom Footprints**: Create in `kicad/libraries/footprints/`
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3. **3D Models**: Add to `kicad/libraries/3dmodels/`
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4. **Review Plots**: Generate to `kicad/plots/`
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### Phase 4: Documentation
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1. **BOM Generation**: Export to `hardware/bom/`
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2. **Assembly Drawings**: Create in `hardware/assembly/`
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3. **User Manual**: Write in `docs/user-manual/`
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4. **Design Notes**: Update technical documentation
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### Phase 5: Manufacturing
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1. **Final Gerbers**: Generate to `manufacturing/gerbers/`
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2. **Drill Files**: Generate to `manufacturing/drill/`
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3. **Pick & Place**: Generate to `manufacturing/pick-and-place/`
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4. **Package**: Create manufacturer submission package
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## 🛠️ KiCad 9 Specific Features
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### Project Settings
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- Configure design rules in `.kicad_pro` file
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- Set up custom library paths using `${KIPRJMOD}` variable
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- Configure 3D viewer settings for custom models
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### Library Management
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- Use relative paths for portability
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- Organize libraries by function (MCU, connectors, etc.)
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- Version control custom libraries with project
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### File Generation
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- **Gerbers**: `File → Fabrication Outputs → Gerbers`
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- **Drill Files**: Generated with Gerbers
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- **Pick & Place**: `File → Fabrication Outputs → Component Placement`
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- **BOM**: `Tools → Generate Bill of Materials`
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## 📋 Quality Checklist
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### Design Review
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- [ ] Schematic review completed and documented
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- [ ] PCB layout review completed
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- [ ] Design rules check (DRC) passed
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- [ ] Electrical rules check (ERC) passed
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- [ ] 3D visualization reviewed
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### Manufacturing Files
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- [ ] Gerber files generated and reviewed
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- [ ] Drill files generated and verified
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- [ ] Pick and place files created (for SMT)
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- [ ] BOM exported and verified
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- [ ] Assembly drawings created
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### Documentation
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- [ ] README updated with project specifics
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- [ ] Design notes documented
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- [ ] User manual created (if applicable)
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- [ ] Assembly instructions written
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- [ ] Test procedures documented
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## 🔧 Git Workflow and File Naming
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This template follows **Semantic Versioning 2.0.0** and **Harvard Data Management file naming conventions**. See [FILE-NAMING-AND-VERSIONING.md](FILE-NAMING-AND-VERSIONING.md) for complete details.
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### File Naming Standards
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- **No spaces**: Use hyphens (-) instead of spaces
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- **Date format**: YYYY-MM-DD for chronological sorting
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- **Versioning**: Follow semantic versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH)
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- **Structure**: `[project-name]_[component-type]_[description]_[version]_[date].extension`
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### Examples
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```
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my-project_bom_v1.2.0_2024-08-04.csv
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my-project_gerbers_v1.0.0_2024-08-04.zip
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my-project_user-manual_v1.0.0_2024-08-04.pdf
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my-project_housing-main_v2.0.0.sldprt
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my-project_symbols_mcu_v1.0.0.kicad_sym
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```
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### Initial Setup
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```bash
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# After creating KiCad project
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git add .
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git commit -m "Initial KiCad project setup v1.0.0"
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git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Initial release - functional prototype"
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git remote add origin https://your-git-server.com/username/your-project.git
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git push -u origin main
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git push --tags
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```
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### Development Workflow
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```bash
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# Regular development cycle
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git add .
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git commit -m "Update component values - v1.0.1"
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git tag -a v1.0.1 -m "Bug fix - corrected resistor values"
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git push
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git push --tags
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# For major milestones
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git tag -a v2.0.0 -m "Major PCB redesign with new connector layout"
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git push --tags
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```
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### Semantic Versioning Strategy
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- **MAJOR**: PCB layout changes, connector changes, mechanical incompatibilities
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- **MINOR**: Component changes, new features, firmware updates
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- **PATCH**: Documentation updates, BOM corrections, minor fixes
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### Branch Strategy
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- `main`: Stable, tested designs
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- `develop`: Active development
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- `feature/xxx`: Specific features or improvements
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- `release/vx.x.x`: Release preparation
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## 🎯 Best Practices
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### File Organization
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- Keep main project files in root directory
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- Use consistent naming conventions
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- Organize files by function and lifecycle
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- Document file purposes in README files
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### Version Control
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- Commit frequently with descriptive messages
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- Tag releases and major milestones
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- Use `.gitignore` to exclude temporary files
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- Include generated files for important releases
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### Documentation
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- Update documentation with design changes
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- Use clear, descriptive language
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- Include diagrams and images where helpful
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- Version control all documentation
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### Library Management
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- Create custom libraries for project-specific components
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- Use descriptive names for symbols and footprints
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- Include 3D models for visualization
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- Document custom component specifications
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## 🆘 Troubleshooting
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### Common Issues
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- **Library not found**: Check library paths in preferences
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- **Missing 3D models**: Verify 3D model paths in footprints
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- **Gerber generation fails**: Check layer setup and output directory
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- **Git conflicts**: Use proper .gitignore for KiCad files
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### Getting Help
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- KiCad documentation: https://docs.kicad.org/
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- KiCad forums: https://forum.kicad.info/
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- Build4Life community: https://buildfor.life
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## 📞 Support
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For template-specific issues:
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- Repository: https://git.buildfor.life/grabowski/b4l-project-template
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- Issues: Use the repository issue tracker
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- Documentation: This file and individual README files
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---
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**Happy designing with KiCad 9!** 🎉
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