There are many, numerous video tutorials about developing the practical side of PCBs, providing you suggestions on schematic construction, as well as design tips. What is a bit harder to discover are tutorials on the graphical aspects, covering the process from producing artworks as well as exactly how you can drive the tools to get them looking great on a PCB, leveraging the silkscreen, solder as well as copper layers to maximum effect. [Stuart Patterson] provides his guide for advanced PCB Graphics in KiCAD 6.0 as well as Inkscape, (Video, embedded below) to assist you on your method to that awesome looking PCB build.
Silkscreen layers in yellow, solder mask opening in red
The very first step is to get your bitmap, whether you produce it yourself, or download it, as well as trace it into a set of vectors utilizing the Inkscape ‘trace bitmap’ tool. If you started with an SVG or similar vector shape, then you can avoid that stage.
Next just produce a PCB outline shape by deleting all the details that aren’t part of the outline. A bit scaling right here as well as there to get the dimensions appropriate as well as you’re finished with the very first part. [Stuart] has an earlier video showing that process.
The usability enhancements in KiCAD 6.0 are many, however one greatly demanded function is the capability to group objects, just like you perform in Inkscape as well as any type of other vector graphics tool for that matter. That implies you can just import that SVG outline into the Edge.Cuts PCB layer as well as all the curves will be well connected together. next you choose the details you want for the silkscreen layer, solder mask removal layers as well as any type of non-circuit copper. In Inkscape it would be smart to utilize the layers function to designate the different material types to a uniquely named layer, so they can be hidden for exporting. This enables you to deal with silk, mask as well as copper PNG exports from a single master file, in addition to any type of vector details for outline, slots as well as holes.
Once you have PNG bitmap exports for the silk, mask etc. you requirement to produce a footprint inside a board-specific library, utilizing the KiCAD picture converter tool. It was fascinating to note that you can export a new picture footprint from the tool as well as paste it directly into the footprint editor, as well as modify all the exposure details at the exact same time. That will save a long time as well as effort for sure. Anyway, we hope this bit tutorial from [Stuart] helps, as well as we will be sure to bring you plenty much more in the coming months.
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