Usually, it is easier to generate Gerber files using Kicad than other PCB design software. All you need to do is to select the necessary layers and to not forget generating the DRILL file. Now, let’s get started!
1. Open your .kicad_pcb file
After opening your Kicad project - .pro file, you can double click the .kicad_pcb file or click the “PCBNew” button to open your PCB editor.
Load from file: Select.kicadpcb,.lib,.sch files. Load from URLs: Input space delimited URLs. Requesting url must be supports CORS header. Users who wish to keep up to date with the latest libraries should clone the KiCad libraries using Git or SVN. Cloning the library repositories means that users only need to download updates to the libraries, rather than re-downloading library files multiple times. This can significantly save on bandwith usage and allows users to control which. Hi All, I am looking to convert KiCAD schematic and layout files to Eagle. I looked online but couldn’t find help. I agree that conversion of Eagle files to KiCAD is possible but the opposite is not true. Does anybody have a method to convert KiCAD files to Eagle? Your response is highly appreciated. Would love to hear back from you. Regards, Ujjwal. Once the file is in place, re-open KiCad, open the PCB footprint editor, and finally the Footprint Libraries Manager. You should see a long list of libraries including the new SparkFun libraries. The last step is to tell KiCad the local path to the SparkFun libraries.
2. Plot your Kicad PCB as Gerber files
Click the “File” menu -->”Plot” and choose the necessary layers shown as below (for 2 layer boards), then click the “Plot” button to generate the related layers.
The necessary layers for 2-layer PCB could be:
Top Layer: pcbname.GTL
Bottom Layer: pcbname.GBL
Solder Mask Top: pcbname.GTS
Solder Mask Bottom: pcbname.GBS
Silk Top: pcbname.GTO
Silk Bottom: pcbname.GBO
Drill Drawing: pcbname.TXT
Open Kicad_pcb File Online File
Board Outline:pcbname.GML/GKO
Note: In order to facilitate our access to your files, please do NOT check the 'Include extended attributes' before Plot.
3. Generate the drill file
Kicad Pcb Tutorial
Before closing the plot window, you need also generate the drill for manufacturing. Select “Suppress leading zeros” and “Minimal header” and click “Drill File” button as following shown.
4. Check the Gerber files in GerbView
Now you have finished the job. But you should always check whether your Gerber files are working or not. Open the “GerbView” and check what your board looks like before sending it to manufacturer.
Now you can see your board like this.
5.Compress all the files in a single .zip file
Kicad Flex Pcb
The final step is to Compress all the files in a single .zip file, then you can fill out the form about your PCB parameters ( size, quantity , layers , thickness , etc ) on our “PCB Instant quote” page and upload your .zip ( Gerber ) file to PCBWay online system, our engineers will check it again and feedback to you if any problems happen before it can be fabricated. Here we go!