v5 brings a lot new features. Some of them hidden from the user. (better algorithms for DRC, polygon filling, …)
The visible features will include (but are not limited to):
- sym lib table (allows sym lib management similar to fp libs)
- official libs are now only 3 repos. (This does break the github plugin. But allows for easier version control) There is also a new lib download page included in the kicad webside.
- new symbol editor (with lots of new features)
- show electrical type of pins next to the pin
- easy copy paste of symbols between libs
- lib tree view included in the editor
- automatic junction management + better connection algorithm (eeschema)
- Line styles for graphical polygons in eeschema
- schematic simulation
- cleanups of the graphical interface
- net highlighting in eeschema
- new component chooser. (adding symbols to a schematic will allow to select footprints at the same time.)
- one click tool for update pcb from schematic
- settings for differential pair spacing and with
- python action plugin (allows adding python scripts to the tool menu)
- graphic polygons in pcb new and footprint editor (not only for zones)
- rounded rectangle pads and polygon pads
- flip board (look at it from the bottom)
- Better support for OSX (Lots of interface features added to work around the quirks of this operating system. Like having a single button mouse)