humancomputerintegration / hcipcb

hcipcb

KiCAD library with custom parts for CMSC 23230/33230: Engineering Interactive Electronics onto Printed Circuit Boards at the University of Chicago

Setup

Clone this repository:

git clone https://github.com/humancomputerintegration/hcipcb.git

1. configure library path

1. In the main window of KiCAD, go to Preferences > Configure Paths
2. Create a new environmental variable (+ button on bottom-left) with the name HCIPCB_LIB and path as the hcipcb directory (e.g. /Users/username/hcipcb). This helps load the 3D models for footprints.

2. add symbol library (.kicad_sym)

1. In the main window of KiCAD, go to Preferences > Manage Symbol Libraries > Global Libraries tab
2. Click Add empty row to table (plus icon near the bottom)
3. Add hcipcb for the Nickname and ${HCIPCB_LIB}/hcipcb.kicad_sym for the Library Path

3. add footprint library (.pretty folder)

1. In the main window of KiCAD, go to Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries > Global Libraries tab
2. Click Add existing library to table (same icon as with Symbol Libraries)
3. Add hcipcb for the Nickname and ${HCIPCB_LIB}/hcipcb.pretty for the Library Path

Verifying set up

1. Open a new schematic (.sch) file or re-open an existing one

2. Add a new symbol (Place > Place Symbol > click on schematic)

3. You should see hcipcb as a new category. To make it easier for the future, you can right click and Pin Library so it always appear on top. Place the USB4105-GF-A onto the schematic. This is the USB connector we'll be using. Annotate it as "J1".

   

4. Go to Tools > Update PCB from Schematic, and place the USB4105-GF-A footprint onto the board.

5. Ensure the 3D model for the USB connector is loaded by going to View > 3D Viewer (selected model will turn green)

Questions?

Email us at the helpdesk (email linked in the class wiki)!