Great monitor setup for KiCad

Community
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This setup works better than anything I have ever used. The glass top desk allows looking at the schematic as if you are seeing it on paper, but… you can edit it. (:slight_smile:

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During different phases of project design the screens can be shuffled to accomodate the task at hand. Also, a decent sized trackball and wireless keyboard are really required for getting the most out of this KiCad setup. Just posting because others may find this a great way to run KiCad for them too.

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Over 15 years ago I splurged on a 2-monitor setup for my general-purpose workstation . . . and quickly wondered why I hadn’t scraped together the cash to do it a decade sooner. (It’s now a pair of 24" monitors parked side-by-side.) You have taken it a step further!

I quickly gave up the habit of balancing a data sheet (or two) on my lap while doing layout or simulation. A co-worker tried to convince me that his huge, single, monitor (possibly 32"?) with about the same total acreage was a better approach but after trying it for a day or so I couldn’t agree. For any kind of engineering or design, multiple monitors is the way to go!

Dale

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Dual 32" 4K and one 1920x1080 (laptop built in screen) works for me, but I would like to increase the laptop screen to at least a 2k…

But almost any 2 monitor setup is better than one monitor, even if you don’t have 4K.

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I previously had two 20" monitors which was OK, but recently upgraded one of them to a 32", thinking I’d do something similar. Unfortunately I cant turn the old 20" around so I’m stuck with it in landscape.

Its not perfect however. Because the monitors are quite different in age, the screen DPI of each is different. Windows tries to help by scaling them differently, but the result is kind of crap, in particular with Kicad ie (from memory):

  1. I put the PCB editor on the big screen and the schematic on the small screen.
  2. I edit a part on the schematic.
  3. Drag the edit dialogue box on to the big screen, because it’s better there.
  4. Do the edits, close the dialogue box. All good.
    If you repeat the last step on the same or different components, the edit dialogue box keeps growing in size and you have to keep dragging it around in order to reach the OK button to close it.

These days in this scenario I just remember to edit the schematic on the small screen, or move the schematic to the big screen if I have a few edits to do.

I’m planning on buying another 32" next time I’m feeling rich.

David

1 Like
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Dale, thats too funny. Technology has certainly made things better. If you use a newish TV as a monitor its amazing. They are huge and next to free in the used market. You just need to be sure that the resolution will net you clear multiple windows. When working on a KiCad circuit board I noticed that to switch tools I have to turn my head to see the tool bar… But that’s not a bad thing. :smile: I absolutely love the monitor under the glass top. I set this up two or three years ago and the novelty still hasn’t worn off so it’s more functional than I has imagined. I actually slid the monitor onto the desks keyboard tray and blocked it up with some high density foam. Solid as a rock. I found a great place to put the keyboard as seen in the picture? Its still visible for an occasional poke but still wireless to pull out and use for typing. I’m happy to hear that you appreciate the the layout, it certainly works great for me.

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I’m surprised as KiCad is designed around the conception: One hand at keyboard, second at mouse.

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It is what I do. (: However, poking is always fun no matter whos software it is.