Cut Hole in Polygon

[Groover]

I am re-creating an old PCB so I am using polygons for the tracks, tracing an SVG. Two of the polygons have holes in them. On the original PCB there is no copper-to-hole clearance and no through-plating (single-sided board) but in order to make sure manufacturing of the PCB is successful/approved I guess I need to address this.

How can I cut a circular hole in the polygon shown in these screenshots?

Thanks!

KiCAD 6.0.7

[mf_ibfeew]

How can I cut a circular hole in the polygon shown in these screenshots?

Do you want only a hole (cutout) in the copper polygon or do you want a real hole in the pcb (like the 3D-picture shows)?

• cutout in polygone:
  • first convert polygone to filled zone, then add a round rule area
• real hole in pcb:
  • draw a simple circle on edge.cuts layer
  • or add a footprint with only one NPTH hole (see library MountingHole for examples)

[Groover]

Thanks - I already have the hole in the PCB

If I right-click on the polygon and choose Create From Selection → Create Zone From Selection… then choose top copper then create a keep out area for copper fill it doesn’t seem to create a hole in the area.

I think converting the polygon to an area isn’t working - perhaps because I don’t have any nets?

[Groover]

Well I decided to solve it by cutting the hole in from the edge of the polygon - a bit annoying but it was quick and straightforward.

[BlackCoffee]

There are a few ways to accomplish the Hole.

I prefer Simple-Minded approach of either using a ‘Hole’ part (a stock Kicad part) or just drawing the hole in Edge-Cut layer.

Both shown below

[Groover]

Thanks however your screenshots don’t show a hole to copper clearance, which is what I was concerned about needing.

[BlackCoffee]

If wanting a clearance between the Hole and surrounding Copper, you can:

• Put a filled circle in your SVG and place a smaller hole (or edge-cut hole in the same position).

• Can use a Solder Mask filled circle slightly larger than the Hole.

As I said, several ways to accomplish it… Also, may depend on if having the PCB made or making it yourself… If having it made, a Solder-Mask would be the preferred way.

The Gap/Clearance you want is about your design and is up to you…

EDIT:
Here’s example of SVG with Hole in it (by Subtract/Difference) done in Libre-Office.
Loaded into Kicad and drew a Hole on Edge-Cuts layer slightly smaller… You can see the Green PCB surrounding the hole…

[Groover]

Thanks. I put an edge cut hole and there was no clearance. The SVG wasn’t used directly, only for tracing polygons.