An Intro to KiCad – Part 1: How PCBs Are Made | DigiKey
Why Hacker News recommends it
Recommended as a friendly starting point for people who want to learn PCB design with free tools.
What it is
Shawn Hymel of DigiKey introduces KiCad and explains how printed circuit boards are manufactured. It is the first part of a beginner series that builds a 555 badge project.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2020 to 2022.
What Hacker News said
Recommends MrsPeaches · 2020-11 · on “Ask HN: Most efficient way for the inexperienced to learn PCB design?”
I am a MechEng by background and taught myself how to design PCBs. Disclaimer I am not a pro but have put a couple of boards into production and have worked closely with pros. > Do professionals do a lot of breadboarding? Depends on the complexity but yes there is often a fair bit of breadboarding, usually differnt parts of the circuit in isolation. So first step is (if you haven't already) to get familiar with the basics of electronics and the best place to start with that is The Art of Electronics[1] I would then recommmend checking out DigiKey's guide to KiCAD [2] which gives you everything you need to get started with a good software package that is user by pros. It has it's quirks but a
Recommends kop316 · 2021-10 · on “Teach Me PCB”
Digikey actually makes really nice YouTube tutorials on how to use KiCAD: [this video] When I had to design a board I used that.
Recommends helsinkiandrew · 2022-05 · on “Fritzing is an open-source electronic design tool”
I'd second that unless you really just want to make a PCB from a simple breadboard design with simple parts once and never do it again. But the few hours learning Kicad will be much more rewarding. Here's one of many tutorials: [this video]