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--- software:kicad:start [2025/05/14 21:33] – created Peter Siegmund
+++ software:kicad:start [2025/09/14 06:32] (current) – [Key Features] Peter Siegmund
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 ====== KiCad ======
+[[https://kicad.org|KiCad]] is a free and open-source software suite for Electronic Design Automation (EDA). It facilitates the design of electronic schematics and their conversion into printed circuit board (PCB) layouts. As a comprehensive tool, it provides an integrated environment for the entire PCB design process, from initial concept to the generation of manufacturing files.
+Being open-source, KiCad is available free of charge and is developed by a worldwide community of volunteers. It is a cross-platform application, running on Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions. The project is a member of the Linux Foundation.
+===== Key Features =====
+KiCad's workflow is centered around a project manager that provides access to a suite of integrated tools:
+**Schematic Editor**: A powerful schematic capture tool for creating electronic circuit diagrams. It includes features for hierarchical schematic design, an electrical rules checker (ERC), and access to extensive symbol libraries.
+**Symbol Editor**: Allows users to create and edit schematic symbols for custom components.
+**PCB Editor**: A professional-grade PCB layout tool with features such as a push-and-shove router, support for up to 32 copper layers, differential pair routing, and length tuning for high-speed signals.
+**Footprint Editor**: Used for creating and editing the physical component footprints that are placed on the PCB.
+**3D Viewer**: This tool can render a 3D model of the PCB with its components. This is extremely useful for visually inspecting component clearances and for ensuring the board will fit correctly into its mechanical enclosure. It can import and export STEP and VRML models.
+**Gerber Viewer**: A tool for inspecting the Gerber and drill files that are sent to a manufacturer to produce the physical PCB.
+**Integrated SPICE Simulator**: KiCad includes a built-in circuit simulator (based on ngspice) for performing analog, digital, and mixed-signal simulations directly from the schematic editor.