Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

YouTube

KiCad for Beginners - Step by Step Tutorial to Get Started - 2025

Make Stuff via YouTube

Overview

Coursera Flash Sale
40% Off Coursera Plus for 3 Months!
Grab it
Learn to design printed circuit boards from scratch using KiCad, the free and open-source electronic CAD software, in this comprehensive 24-minute tutorial. Begin by downloading and installing KiCad, then explore the project window interface and create your first new project. Master the schematic editor by setting up pages, adding grid lines, configuring crosshairs and hidden pins, inserting logos or images, and enabling auto-save functionality. Discover essential KiCad shortcuts to accelerate your workflow while creating detailed schematics, implementing global labels for better organization, and properly annotating your designs. Progress to assigning footprints to components and exporting bills of materials (BOM) for manufacturing purposes. Transition into PCB layout creation by learning to add edge cuts and borders, incorporate mounting holes, and integrate missing 3D models for realistic visualization. Develop routing skills to connect components effectively, implement filled zones for proper grounding, and organize labels for clear documentation. Complete your PCB design process by exporting Gerber files ready for professional manufacturing, gaining all the fundamental skills needed to create functional printed circuit boards using this powerful open-source tool.

Syllabus

0:00 - Intro
0:10 - Downloading & Installing
0:41 - Project Window Overview
1:07 - Creating New Project
1:38 - Schematic Editor Overview
2:05 - Page Setup
2:55 - Adding Grid Lines
3:13 - Page Measurement
3:34 - Crosshairs & Hidden Pins
3:50 - Adding Logo or Image
4:15 - Auto Save
4:36 - Creating Schematic in KiCad
5:32 - Shortcuts in Kicad
8:08 - Global Labels in Kicad
9:14 - Annotating Schematic in KiCad
9:31 - Assigning Footprints to Components in KiCad
11:05 - Exporting Bill of Materials BOM in KiCad
11:43 - PCB Layout Creation in KiCad
13:27 - Adding Edge Cut or Border in KiCad
13:50 - Adding Mounting Holes
14:17 - Adding Missing 3D Models in KiCad
17:44 - Routing in KiCad
20:05 - Adding Filled Zone in KiCad
20:53 - Adding and Organising Labels
22:10 - Exporting Gerber files in KiCAD

Taught by

Make Stuff

Reviews

Start your review of KiCad for Beginners - Step by Step Tutorial to Get Started - 2025

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.