EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Electronics => PCB/EDA/CAD => KiCad => Topic started by: FunnyBunny on April 12, 2014, 07:11:34 pm
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About 20 years ago I had some basic circuit classes, University physics and a single EE class on integrated circuits.
Never used any of it, but now, there is something I want to design and build and being an FOSS zealot, I found KiCad. Just started using it today.
The first circuit I am attempting to design in it - a simple rail splitter. The circuit I drew on paper uses a TLE2426 and a BUF634 - both from Texas Instruments, but I can't find them in the existing device library.
Where does one go to find ICs that are not already available in KiCad? Is there a database or does it literally require looking through all the various different websites that I have found while looking?
Is it complicated to add a device on my own if I can't find it?
Secondly, some of the symbold used in Eeschema are not what I am familiar with, for example a polarized capacitor - It has been awhile since I've drawn circuits and never with CAD software but I recall it being a flat line and an arc. Eeschema draws it as a filled in box inside another box. Is there a way to modify that to the standard pictograph I recall - and still see used quite heavily?
Thanks for suggestions.
Fedora 20 x86_64 if it matters.
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You will probably have to learn to make (or edit) the schematic symbols yourself as many isn't included in the default libraries. This is done in the library editor found on the Tools menu.
There is quite a few resources for kicad libraries, but you can't find everything.
Also, you should make sure that the pin numbering of your symbol matches with the footprint.
Check put the tutorials on kicad-pcb.org (http://www.kicad-pcb.org).