Many people share .kicad_pcb files without attaching instructions on how to use it. Yet it isn’t evident for everyone which program a .kicad_pcb file can be edited, converted or printed with. On this page, we try to provide assistance for handling .kicad_pcb files.
1 filename extension(s) found in our database.
.kicad_pcb - KiCad PCB Design Document
The Eagle 6.xx PCB files can be directly imported to KiCad. The scripts also convert Via’s to Pads, which helps with KiCad’s flood fill, when Via’s have no connections – this part requires. Open it with Notepad (or any text editor), and notice that this file contains all the information that Pcbnew, the PCB layout program, will need in order to know which components are supposed to be included and what are the connections between those components, information about nets and so on, is all in here. Double-clicking on the Eeschema icon runs the schematic editor which in this case will open the file picprogrammer.sch. Double-clicking on the Pcbnew icon runs the layout editor, in this case opening the file picprogrammer.kicadpcb. Right clicking on any of the files in the project tree allows generic file manipulation.
The KICAD_PCB document files are related to KiCad. KICAD_PCB file is a KiCad PCB Design Document. KiCad is an EDA software suite for the creation of professional schematics and printed circuit boards up to 16 layers. KiCad runs on Windows, Linux and Apple OS X and is released under the open-source GNU GPL v2 free of charge.
- Application:
- KiCad
- Category:
- Document files
- Mime-type:
- application/octet-stream
- Magic:
- - / -
- Aliases:
- -
- KiCad PCB Design Document related extensions:
- .brd
- KiCad Board Layout File
- .cmp
- KiCad Parts-to-module Assignments Data
- .dsn
- SPECCTRA Design File
- .net
- KiCad Netlist Data
- .pro
- KiCad Project File
- .sch
- KiCad Schematic Document
Naturally, other applications may also use the .kicad_pcb file extension. Even harmful programs can create .kicad_pcb files. Be especially cautious with .kicad_pcb files coming from an unknown source!
Can't open a .kicad_pcb file?
When you double-click a file to open it, Windows examines the filename extension. If Windows recognizes the filename extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that filename extension. When Windows does not recognize a filename extension, you receive the following message:
Windows can't open this file:
example.kicad_pcb
To open this file, Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select one from a list of programs that are installed on your computer.
To avoid this error, you need to set the file association correctly.
- Open Control Panel > Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Associations.
- Select a file type in the list and click Change Program.
Operating systems
DataTypes.net currently supports the following operating systems:
Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7/8, Windows 10, CentOS, Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, iOS, Android
If you find the information on this page useful, please feel free to link to this page.
If you have useful information about the .kicad_pcb file format, then write to us!
Kicad Pcb Project Download
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What is KiCad?
KiCad is a free, easy to download software that is used for electronic design automation (EDA) and computer aided design (CAD). While using this program, PCB design schematics can be realized from their electrical circuits. Within, there are tools that allow the creation of a bill of materials (BOM), artwork, 3D view of the PCB + components and gerber files. This documents purpose will be to guide Bittele’s clients through the step by step process specifically for generating the gerber files using KiCad. Similarly, a guide for exporting gerbers using another commonly used program (Eagle) can be found here.What are Gerber files?
Gerber files are the artwork of the layers that will be used to construct the board once it’s being fabricated. The industry standard file type used for manufacturing and assembling PCB’s are gerber file types. Therefore, they are easily recognized and processed by our manufacturing equipment.Generating Gerber Files
This guide assumes that you have finished designing your PCB within KiCad and are ready to export the gerber files.1) Select the ‘Plot’ button (located next to the printer icon).
This will open the plot window.
The image above shows the many different layers that are used in this example project. In general, there are only 10 layers that are required for PCB fabrication and assembly (paste layers not required for fabrication only):
- Top Copper (Top) + Top Soldermask (F.Mask) + Top Silkscreen (F.SilkS) + Top Paste (F.Paste)
- Bottom Copper (Bottom) + Bottom Soldermask (B.Mask) + Bottom Silkscreen (B.SilkS) + Bottom Paste (B.Paste)
- Board outline (Edge.Cuts)
- Drill file (not shown in image above)
3) Under the messages window will show where the drill files have now been generated. Click on the close button to return to the previous window. Click on ‘Plot’ (beside Generate Drill File). The gerber files for the layers will be generated (shown once again under the messages window), then click ‘Close’.
4) Once your gerber files have been generated, they can be reviewed to catch any potential errors before being sent to us for a PCB fabrication quote. Return to the main KiCad project window and click on the GerbView – Gerber viewer button (see image below):
5) On the window that pops up, click ‘File’ > ‘Load Gerber File’.
6) Select all of the layers shown and click ‘Open’.
7) In the same manner, click on ‘File’ > ‘Load EXCELLON Drill File’.
8) Select the drill file(s) and click ‘Open’.
Kicad Pcb Design Tutorial Pdf
Notice here that 2 drill files have been created. The first represents ‘plated drill holes’ while the second represents the ‘non-plated drill holes’. This will lead us to seeing 11 files instead of 10 files later.
Kicad Schematic To Pcb
9) Once all of your layers have been imported into GerbView, you can perform all your final checks (you can view each layer one by one and so on). Once you are satisfied that your design is correct, you will be ready to quote and order your boards.
10) Navigate to the directory on your computer where your KiCad project resides. Select and zip the following 11 files:
A list explaining each type of file can be seen below:
- *.drl - Drill file
- *.gbs - Gerber Bottom Soldermask
- *.gbp - Gerber Bottom Paste
- *.gbo - Gerber Bottom Silkscreen (Overlay)
- *.gbl - Gerber Bottom Layer
- *.Edge.Cuts.gm1 - Board Outline (Gerber Mechanical 1)
- *.gts - Gerber Top Soldermask
- *.gtp - Gerber Top Paste
- *.gto - Gerber Top Silkscreen (Overlay)
- *.drl - Drill file
- *.gtl - Gerber Top Layer
This guide’s aim has been to describe the procedure for generating Gerber files from KiCad as simply and completely as possible. If you still find yourself unclear on any part of the process, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Bittele sales team by sending an email to sales@7pcb.com, or calling our Toronto office at 1-416-800-7540. We are happy to help with any of your queries.
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