How can I design a PCB that is made of multiple intersecting shapes?
For example, this:
I have designed only one non standard shape and it was in V5 times.
I used LibreCAD and probably File-Import-Graphics…
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Best idea is to draw this rough version of this outline first on a different layer like user.drawings or user.comments , layers.
Then draw the outlines on the edge.cuts with a very thin line, like 0.1mm thick. Following your rough drawing on the user.drawings or user.comments layer.
Another option is to use a drawing program that can export to dxf file format and then load this dxf file temporarily on the user.drawings or the user.comments layer.
Then draw the outlines on the edge.cuts with a very thin line, like 0.1mm thick.
After you are finished with drawing on the edge.cuts layer :
Just delete all temporarily lines and circles on the user.drawings or the user.comments layers.
Like making a sketch first.
The graphic items on Edge.Cuts have to form a “perfect” outline. Things like intecting or overlapping lines are not allowed, and neither are open line ends, or gaps between lines, arcs etc. So you have to construct this out of 6 arcs instead of 4 circles. Lines that are inside the “outmost outline” are interpreted as cutouts in the PCB.
Your shape is still fairly easy to draw in KiCad itself, provided your shape fits on a single grid. Mechanical CAD drawing is surely not KiCad’s strongest point, and when the PCB outline becomes more complicated, a much better option is to draw it in a mechanical CAD program, and then import it in KiCad.
