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PCB Guide 2 - Beginning the project

IN PROGRESS
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By this point, you should have a repository readied for the project.

Step 3. Creating the KiCad project

The previous page's setup should have created a folder in your home/Documents/GitHub folder with the project name.

 We will be doing all work here.

Launch KiCad, and you will be greeted with the main menu.

From the options, select New Project.

Browse to your repository directory.
Make sure to uncheck "Create a new directory for the project". Otherwise, you will have your project in a useless subdirectory.

KiCad will generate the basic project files.

The default project only has two files:

  • The .sch file - Contains the schematic, or the electrical layout.
  • The .kicad_pcb file - Contains the physical layout.

The basic workflow is to create the schematic first so that the electric side is all set, then to lay it out on a physical PCB based on that.