Post-v7 new features and development news

Independently fixable scales for simulation plots.

16 Likes

Graphic shapes (lines, arcs, rectangles, polygons) can now have nets assigned just like tracks.

This allows creating custom copper shapes without having to define them as custom pads inside a footprint.
This is handy for various reasons, for example if you want to define a copper polygon on the board to connect some pads together but don’t want it to be a filled zone (because you do not want it to ever keep clearance from anything like a zone would)

44 Likes

There are now cli options to run drc and erc

kicad-cli pcb drc
kicad-cli sch erc

Additionally both the cli and gui have an option to save a json formatted report
The schema of which can be found here resources/schemas · master · KiCad / KiCad Source Code / kicad · GitLab

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Grids can now be modified in the UI, and grid overrides can be applied that set certain grids based on the item you’re acting upon.

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Note: grid settings shown in previous message have now been moved to Preferences.

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Alternate pin functions from context menu:

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Added importers for EasyEDA / JLCEDA, both Standard and Professional editions.

To download STEP 3D models for imported boards, a separate plugin must be used:

  1. Download the latest “PCM Package” from EasyEDA 3D Loader Releases
  2. In KiCad, open “Plugin and Content Manager” > “Install from File…”, choose the downloaded archive
  3. Close PCM.

After importing your project/board, in PCB Editor, click on the plugin icon and then “Download and convert STEP 3D models from JLC”.

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Altium Libraries are fully supported.

You can now use SchLib and PcbLib files directly in KiCad.

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Pin Helpers: a set of tools to rapidly break out from symbols.

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Pad Edit Mode; number box:

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And custom spoke templates:

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Hover previews in the footprint (and symbol) editor:

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Import SVG and DXF graphics directly into Schematic and Symbol editors.

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EAGLE libraries can now be used directly in Symbol Libraries, as well as in Footprint Libraries.

Also, the descriptions are much better now.

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Tools to fix discontinuities in graphical shapes (shape healing):


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3D viewer appearances tab:

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Length-tuning pattern properties:

(I don’t want to steal @dsa-t 's thunder, but perhaps he will upload a video of interactive editing of length-tuning patterns…)

31 Likes

Support arcs with 180+ degrees angle in Schematic and Symbol editors.

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Support Altium Integrated Library (.IntLib) files in Footprint and Symbol library tables.

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