grabowski
046f66f6eb
- Add dedicated /kicad/ directory with organized subdirectories for libraries, schematics, gerbers, plots, and backups - Create comprehensive KiCad 9 library structure (symbols, footprints, 3D models) - Add manufacturing-ready directories for production files (gerbers, drill, pick-and-place) - Update all README files with KiCad-specific documentation and workflows - Add KiCad-optimized .gitignore file for proper version control - Create KICAD-PROJECT-TEMPLATE.md comprehensive usage guide - Add hardware assembly documentation and BOM management - Include detailed manufacturing file generation instructions - Add docs structure with design-notes and user-manual directories - Provide complete workflow from design to manufacturing with quality checklists
/kicad/libraries/symbols
Custom schematic symbols for your KiCad project.
File Format
- Store symbols as
.kicad_symfiles - Each file can contain multiple related symbols
Naming Convention
- Use descriptive names:
ProjectName_ComponentType.kicad_sym - Examples:
MyProject_MCU.kicad_symMyProject_Connectors.kicad_symMyProject_PowerManagement.kicad_sym
Symbol Creation Guidelines
- Include all necessary pins with proper electrical types
- Add symbol properties (Reference, Value, Footprint, Datasheet)
- Use standard KiCad symbol conventions
- Include documentation strings
- Set appropriate pin numbers and names
Adding to Project
- Open KiCad Project Manager
- Go to Preferences → Manage Symbol Libraries
- Click Add and browse to this directory
- Select your
.kicad_symfile - Set library nickname and path (use relative paths)
Example Library Structure
symbols/
├── MyProject_MCU.kicad_sym # Microcontrollers
├── MyProject_Connectors.kicad_sym # Custom connectors
├── MyProject_Sensors.kicad_sym # Sensor symbols
└── MyProject_Power.kicad_sym # Power management ICs