Three and a half years since the last significant release, the release of the free PCB design computer-aided design KiCad 6.0.0 has been published. This is the first major release since the project was taken over by the Linux Foundation. Builds are prepared for various distributions of Linux, Windows and macOS. The code is written in C++ using the wxWidgets library and distributed under the GPLv3 license.
KiCad provides tools for editing electrical schematics and PCBs, 3D board visualization, working with a library of electrical circuit elements, manipulation with Gerber templates, electronic circuit simulation, PCB editing and project management. The project also provides libraries of electronic components, footprints and 3D models. According to some PCB manufacturers, about 15% of orders come with the provision of schematics prepared in KiCad.
Among the changes in the new release:
- The user interface has been redesigned and brought to a more modern look. The interface of various KiCad components has been unified. For example, schematic and printed circuit board (PCB) editors no longer give the impression of different applications and are close to each other at the level of design, hotkeys, dialog box layout and editing process. Work has also been carried out to simplify the interface for new users and engineers who use different design systems in their work.
- The schematic editor has been redesigned, which now uses the same object selection and manipulation paradigms as in the PCB layout editor. New features have been added such as assigning circuit classes directly from the schematic editor. Provides the ability to apply color and line style selection rules to conductors and busbars, either individually or based on circuit type. Simplified hierarchical design, for example, it became possible to create buses that group together several signals with different names.
- The interface of the printed circuit board (PCB) editor has been updated. Implemented new features aimed at simplifying navigation through complex schemes. Added support for saving and restoring presets that determine the location of elements on the screen. The ability to hide certain chains from links is provided. Added the ability to independently control the visibility of zones, pads, vias and tracks. Means are provided for assigning colors to specific nets and net classes, and applying those colors to links or layers related to those nets. In the lower right corner there is a new panel "Selection Filter" (Selection Filter), through which you can control which types of objects can be selected.
Added support for round traces, hatched copper zones, and deletion of unconnected vias. Improved track placement tools, including a push & shove tracer and an interface for adjusting track length.
- Improved interface for viewing the 3D model of the designed board, which implements the ability to trace rays to achieve realistic lighting. Added the ability to highlight elements selected in the PCB editor. Simplified access to frequently used controls.
- A new system is proposed for setting special design rules, which makes it possible to define complex design rules, including those that allow you to set restrictions in relation to certain layers or areas of prohibition.
- A new format for files with libraries of symbols and electronic components is proposed, based on the format previously used for boards and footprints (footprint). The new format made it possible to implement such features as embedding the symbols used in the scheme directly into the file with the scheme, without the use of intermediate caching libraries.
- The interface for simulation has been improved and the capabilities of the spice simulator have been expanded. Added E-Series resistor calculator. Improved GerbView.
- Added support for importing files from CADSTAR and Altium Designer packages. Improved import in EAGLE format. Improved support for Gerber, STEP and DXF formats.
- Provided the ability to select a color scheme when printing.
- Integrated functionality for automatic backups.
- Added "Plugin and Content Manager".
- Implemented side-by-side installation mode for another instance of the program with independent settings.
- Extended mouse and touchpad settings.
- For Linux and macOS, the ability to enable a dark theme has been added.
Source: opennet.ru