KiCad Learning 1

Great! I finally finished my first super easy pcb layout which I just followed this tutorial. I wasted much time on irrelative stuffs. Here's my work today.

Still have a plenty of knowledge I don't know yet. Like:
1. How to modify part footprint module once routing done with PCBnew already?
2. How to change the pcb edge with a Non-rectangle shape?
3. How to set more parameters of design rules in 'Design Rules Editor"?
4. How to import a bmp file for silkscreen layer?
5. How to manually route and fill on specific area with copper?

Reference:
1. http://www.kicadlib.org/Fichiers/KiCad_Tutorial.pdf

Man! Time to rest...

廣邀 KiCad 愛好者

相信你收尋到這裡, 想必也是受 KiCad 的 Open Source Layout Tool 給吸引過來!!! 我們是一群堅信與邁向開發 Open Source Hardware Plate form 的 Copyleft 公司 sharism.cc, 歡迎任何想以 KiCad 來開發 Open Source Hardware 產品的朋友, 加入這個共同 layout 開發的環境.目前主要的 Project 項目有:

1, Projects List , 以北京君正 Ingenic jz47xx 32位嵌入式处理器，基于君正创新的XBurst CPU微体系架构系列硬體開發為主軸之移動多媒体產品.

2,上述 Projects lists 裡之所有基於開放原始碼延伸之各類軟體開發.

歡迎有興趣的朋友, 可加入 Development List 討論與學習, 或訂閱接收最新消息.

Comparisons on special module implemented between KiCad and others layout tool

These days I am little bit pissing myself off to learn KiCad that loving it but hardly to me on linux side. In order to overcome my poor linux skill, i must use my linux laptop everyday. Not only basic also electronic engineering requirements. We are using a two circle rings as button function in KiCad, but there still have some problems. I'd like to fix it but i cant at this moment from ability. So only need spend more time on KiCad field. The followings are just posted on Qi wiki first.

• Comparisons between RC1 and RC2

S50 key btn on RC1 board

avt2 RC1 S50 key

The following pictures are gerbers in different stacking layers

Comparisons on avt2 RC1 and RC2

avt2 RC1 S50 Copper/Text	avt2 RC2 S50 Copper/Text
avt2 RC1 S50 Copper/Mask	avt2 RC2 S50 Copper/Mask
avt2 RC1 S50 Copper/Mask/Solder	avt2 RC2 S50 Copper/Mask/Solder
avt2 RC1 S50 Copper/Drill	avt2 RC2 S50 Copper/Drill

• Problem 1

The rc2 mask and solder layer are not circle as same as rc1, if this is the KiCad's limit, then we need to think other way to solve this. Since the metal domn must not contact with copper well when user push buttons due to contact area is too small.

• Problem 2

The copper layer (GND) is connected to S50's outside ring (short condition).

The above is the problems now I meet, hope they can be fixed later.

How to install & build KiCad 2009-02-16 on Ubuntu 9.10

Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)

• sudo apt-get install build-essential cmake doxygen subversion libglut3 libglut3-dev zlib1g zlib1g-dev libboost-dev libwxbase2.8-0 libwxbase2.8-dev libwxgtk2.8-dev
• wget http://iut-tice.ujf-grenoble.fr/cao/kicad-sources-2009-02-16.tar.gz
• tar zxvf kicad-sources-2009-02-16.tar.gz
• cd kicad-2009-02-16
• mkdir build
• cd build
• cmake ..
• make -j16
• sudo make install

now you can type 'kicad' in your terminal, also [applications] -> [programming] in gnome panel. to remove the kicad you can run "sudo make uninstall" under the build folder

Links

http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Before doing install, remember to uninstall previous KiCad version firstly.

sudo apt-get remove kicad

This is posted that I wanted to upgrade my linux 9.04 to 9.10. Then install new version of KiCad 2009-02-16 version. And Xiangfu he knows more Linux knowledge than me, so I asked him to help me that how i can do this. Thanks for Xiangfu's post.

KiCad Automatic Insertion File

In order to meet SMT vendor side about AI machine. During build module must let module attributes to be Normal+Insert. This indicates that the module must appear in the automatic insertion file (for automatic insertion machines). This attribute is most useful for surface mount components (SMDs). So every module must set this attribute.

KiCad Gerber and Drill Files

I just posted this on here , you can also know more info there.

How can I import a white and black picture file into Silks_Cmp layer

I posted a message on Kicad list to ask like as title mentioned. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/message/6595
Hope can get someone feedback soon.

[Kicad] DRC err and Drill file

Today I tried to know that how to create a drill file in PCBnew of Kicad and check pcb by DRC function. Then something encountered I didn't know. So I posted email to list to ask. We'll see the real answers later. jeje...

Some Layout Notes in avt2 RC2 20091230

I just uploaded layout notes on http://wiki.qi-hardware.com/wiki/Layout_notes_avt2_RC2_20091230
They are under http://wiki.qi-hardware.com/wiki/AVT2_RC2_Reference_Board#LAYOUT_NOTES, There are the layout histories about Qi's reference design board. We are the open team for everything on h/w platform. If you are interested with this open linux-based platform about consumer products, for example portable game player, mp3 player, dictionary, nano notebook or even like a high platform which can control Arduino board. Then you can use Qi's Ben NanoNote or its reference design board to reach variable applications. Check it if you want to follow hardware development, feedback welcome.