EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Electronics => PCB/EDA/CAD => KiCad => Topic started by: Mr. Scram on August 23, 2017, 06:09:47 pm

Title: Custom trace shape
Post by: Mr. Scram on August 23, 2017, 06:09:47 pm
After looking at basic layouts, I thought it might be fun to create a switching power supply. The datasheet of the part shows a fairly specific layout. I cannot seem to figure out how to make custom shapes like these. If I ask Google, it tells me how to change the trace width, but not the actual shape.

One way of bodging it would be to make a custom footprint with at least the IC and the inductor, but that just seems a recipe for disaster. Even if I manage to work it out without half a dozen respins, I'm bound to have forgotten how to do it exactly when I try to reuse the design in the not so near future.

I might be missing something obvious though, since I'm not very experienced with KiCad.

Page 16 of this datasheet: http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tps63002.pdf (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tps63002.pdf)

(http://i.imgur.com/Buoi8tA.png)
Title: Re: Custom trace shape
Post by: firewalker on August 23, 2017, 06:21:45 pm
How about "Filled Zones"?

Alexander.
Title: Re: Custom trace shape
Post by: fable on August 23, 2017, 06:23:07 pm
There is no problem doping this in kicad...look for a "Add filled zones" tool
Title: Re: Custom trace shape
Post by: Mr. Scram on August 23, 2017, 06:29:17 pm
D'oh! I don't know how I missed that, despite actually doing some homework and looking for the answer myself. Searching for "traces" instead of "zones" or "areas" is probably what tripped me up.

Color me embarrassed. Thanks for the quick answer!
Title: Re: Custom trace shape
Post by: firewalker on August 23, 2017, 06:42:36 pm
Make sure to set priorities for the zone fills if you are using power planes.

Alexander.