Anyone else use KiCAD for PCB work?

[MaximumMini]

I'm big into CAD....mostly open source tho. AutoCAD would be my 1st choice for 3D modeling, but I absolutely hate subscription software.
I love kiCAD for electronics stuff. Hard to believe so much for free. I've used it to design a number of PCBs that I had manufactured.
But there's a lot I still don't know about it or how to use.

Right now I'm duplicating the schematics and files to have a solar controller PCB made because I can use it in so many ways around here.
Very simple project.

I find CAD design fascinating and very rewarding.
Show us what you've designed in CAD

 

[MaximumMini]

Really? No one else?
man, I figured most of you guys here were using some form of CAD.

Guess I was wrong.

 

[MaximumMini]

CAD 3D Oil Filter render

 

[PandaBear]

I don't design PCB at work but we typically use the BIG company's product (like Synopsys stuff) instead of free stuff. Often times we know others have used it and whatever problems we have we know who to call and investigate with. Also we import a lot of 3rd party IP and they work with known tools instead of free stuff.

It's not a big cost for the license, but if we screw up with a free tool the risk can be quite high. It is not worth the savings.

Same reason why some big software vendor spec particular OS even if they are open source. If I remember right you must only install Oracle DB on supported OS like Redhat, no CentOS or Ubuntu.

 

[supton]

Long time Altium user, but I started using KiCAD for home projects, and done a couple projects at work with it. Can't show off the work stuff, AFAIK it's not for general sales so... and the bulk of the Altium stuff is likewise not for viewing.

Altium has some basic 3D extrusions, so I've gone as far as making SOIC8 bodies with it. I did try to use FreeCAD to make a couple of things but it's got a steep learning curve--so I cheated by making what I wanted/needed in Altium and exported a step from that.

My home KiCAD projects have been piddling 2 layer thro-hole designs, just audio frequency stuff. I do have an Si5351 oscillator project that I've been meaning to get back to... some day.

 

[MaximumMini]

I would like to have AutoCAD but the cost and susbscription costs are just too high for home use.

I've been using TurboCAD for 3D modeling for a very long time. It's s good compromise imo.

 

[supton]

I've had to do a little in AutoCAD Lite, mostly just scaling and deleting stuff. I can barely draw a line or box in it, that's about the limit for me.

 

[MaximumMini]

I don't design PCB at work but we typically use the BIG company's product (like Synopsys stuff) instead of free stuff. Often times we know others have used it and whatever problems we have we know who to call and investigate with. Also we import a lot of 3rd party IP and they work with known tools instead of free stuff.

It's not a big cost for the license, but if we screw up with a free tool the risk can be quite high. It is not worth the savings.

Same reason why some big software vendor spec particular OS even if they are open source. If I remember right you must only install Oracle DB on supported OS like Redhat, no CentOS or Ubuntu.

Not a big cost for the license? For Elon probably not.
Synopsys

I'm not really at all concerned with Industrial / Commercial applications here.
I'm talking about CAD that can help designing replacement boards for owned vehicles or plot files for CNC milling (home shop) etc.
It's exciting to see how AI is going to automate CAD design.

I've had a number of various 3D printers and found them invaluable for making gadgets around the shop and house to solve various problems. That's the kind of CAD I'm referring to.