My environment : - KiCad / EESchema version 9.0.6 - Ubuntu 24.04 LTS > Note : > SO far I just sketched high-level design of hardware components using `eeschema`, for more advanced usage such as simulation, floorplan, PCB layout, please refer to KiCad official documentation. ## File structure - schema file `.kicad_sch` must be created along with project file `.kicad_pro` - the content / syntax in schema file is completely different from previous versions. ## Paging ### Hierarchical Page - eeschema supports only hierarchical paging - one top-level diagram which collects several sub-layer diagrams - each of sub layers can be expanded to an independent electrical schematic diagram . To add a new hierarchical page: - click `Draw Hierarchical Sheet` at right-hand toolbar of the GUI - click anywhere in current layer diagram to determine its position - GUI will prompt users to name the page and then save it to an external new file `.kicad_sch` #### Resize Page To resize currnet page : - go to `file` -> `page settings` in menubar - in prompt window, set `size` to `user (custom)` then edit width and height. #### Export schematic diagram to picture - go to `file` -> `plot` in menubar - in prompt window, select `svg` or `pdf` as output format, click `plot current page` - for SVG file, use tools like [svgcleaner](https://github.com/RazrFalcon/svgcleaner) (yes it is archived but still useful) which decreases file size by cleaning up unnecessary / invisible portions in the schema. ## Symbols for Electrical Components Any pre-defined electrical components can be added to current layer of schematic diagram, by clicking `place symbols` at right-hand toolbar, valid symbols include, but not limited to : - basic primitives, e.g. power, ground, resistor, capacitor, diode - sensors and motors e.g. for network, environment monitoring, GPS - well-known embedded deveopment boards e.g. Arduino, NodeMCU, STM32, Raspberry PI ### Create your own library for custom symbols In case KiCAD's default library does not cover your hardware design. - in menubar, go to `tools` -> `symbol editor` - a new window `symbol editor` will be launched, create your new library by clicking `new library` in menubar. - name your custom library then save it. After completed successfully, you can start adding new symbols to your custom library. - currently I only create symbols which represent high-level design of a component. - beside shapes and text, add I/O pins of the component you are editing , by clicking `Draw Pins` on right-hand side toolbar. ## Reference - [KiCad 9.0 EESchema Reference Manual](https://docs.kicad.org/9.0/en/eeschema/eeschema.html) - [explain the power flag - KiCad subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/KiCad/comments/lwnof0/) - [ERC error: Input power pin not driven by output power pins -- KiCad official forum](https://forum.kicad.info/t/erc-error-input-power-pin-not-driven-by-output-power-pins/35552) - [Hide power flag when printing -- use it as helper rather than ERC satisfication](https://forum.kicad.info/t/hide-pwr-flag-when-printing/15107/7) - [Best practice for unused pins -- EE stackexchange](https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/730078/549311) - [resize schematic page -- official forum](https://forum.kicad.info/t/resize-schematic/24937/2)