Since this board has to be reproduced to the original footprint do I really want to create a schematic?
If it were me doing it I certainly would create a schematic . . . that is your circuit diagram and is what you are trying to make. Then the implementation of that, the PCB, has a constraint on the design, that being that it has to match the original footprint. This way you get all the benefits associated with the link between the Schematic and PCB and DRC.
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You can use many Graphics/Drawing programs to change the Black/Grey line and fill weights. You need to explore and try it.
You can change Kicad’s line weight and colors. You need to explore and try it.
You can also use many of the Image viewer that are standard on all computers. Attached
I only make Schematics about 50% of the time (usually because I’ve already Hand-Drawn one while drinking coffee or if using old design for which I already have schematic.
Without a schematic, for a circuit this large and unknown, I would certainly create one. And, if you plan to have the PCB made, they will want one.
I suspect this project is perhaps a bit too big for a first PCB project of this type…
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Adjust the Slider and the Three tabs (Original, Greyscale, Black&White) for best results. But, may never get good results… Not a perfect world
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The issue is when I bring into KiCad it turns to garbage. Thinking I am not exporting or importing correctly.
Regardless of the DXF/Import/Export/etc… Best to start with New Schematic and just start drawing and placing symbols. Too much time on this post to do what is Not fully doable (especially by Novice…)
Image below shows lighter-grey transparency with changed Kicad color…
RESULTS
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While images to import look like schematics, they are just images. You will probably have to draw your schematic, because they contain vital hookup information that you will have to provide. Try opening some examples of kicad projects and look at their schematic and layout files.
After reading through this post I thought I’d chip in and add my twopenneth to the coversation.
Whilst I appreciate where you’re coming from (I just want to knock up a quick PCB), I don’t think you are truely uderstanding or appreciate the benefits that producing a proper Kicad Schematic will ring to you in the long run.
As others have said whilst having a link between a circuit diagram and resultant PCB invaluable for error checking it brings other benefits to the party.
- Able to print out a new circuit diagram.
- The ability to change component and/or footprints and produces new PCB virtually instantaneously.
- Able to change the design of the PCB routing if need be (think noise or if bigger tracks are needed)
- Once you have your project in KiCad, you can readily produce all the relevant files to sendto a PCB house without manual interventio. In your way you will have to exicitly enter all values the Gerber etc get will need. Eg drill hole size for every hole required, etc
Additionally, as you have a schematic availableto referencw, it will actually be very quick to enter a KiCad Schematic copying the placement. Just do each component in turn eg all the resistors, then all the tranny, all the caps whatever (there is an option to continue to add multiple of the same components somewhere). Yea it might be a pain to manually annotate and find components/footprints, but once it’s done it’s done.
Just make a schematic it will be easier for you on the long run. You don’t drive to a location you don’t know without a map in the hope you might find it do you. Kicads ‘map’ is its Schematic.
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Deleted, duplicate of another post in more appropriate category.
You are really using the wrong program for what you are trying to get. You need to make a PCB with one of the many PCB creation programs available for free. It will let you draw the traces and make connections, add images of parts, and so on. Kicad is not for that. I use it because I am making a product or project. You just need a simple PCB layout.