Merge pull request #5 from tillitis/kicad-links

Fix broken links in kicad library readme
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Joachim Strömbergson 2022-09-30 08:34:53 +02:00 committed by GitHub
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# Install instructions
## 1. Copy the files locally
Copy the `RP-Pico Libraries` folder wherever you like on your computer.
## 2. Install the Raspberry Pi Pico board schema symbol
Use the `KiCad | Preferences | Manage Symbol Libraries...` command to manage the symbol library:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image07.png)
then select the global tab and click on the folder button:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image08.png)
navigate to the `RP-Pico Libraries` folder, select the `MCU_RaspberryPi_and_Boards.kicad_sym` file and open it:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image09.png)
et voilà, the first step is completed:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image10.png)
You can now close the symbol libraries manager window.
## 3. Install the Raspberry Pi Pico board footprint
You can use a similar approach to add the footprint to the footprint libraries manager, but I've found some issues that I've solved using the footprint editor, so here are the steps I suggest you to follow:
Open the footprint editor
![symbol library manager](Images/Image11.png)
wait for the footprints to load... then use the `File | Add Library` command:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image12.png)
confirm the `Global` choice:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image13.png)
and select the `MCU_RaspberriPi_and_Boards.pretty` folder (yes, the folder represent a footprint library on KiCad):
![symbol library manager](Images/Image14.png)
Now the library is installed on KiCad with the Raspberry Pi Pico footprint (double click on it to see it on the editor pane):
![symbol library manager](Images/Image15.png)
Don't close the windows as the next step start from here.
## 4. Install the Raspberry Pi Pico board footprint 3D visual
If not already open, open the the footprint editor
![symbol library manager](Images/Image11.png)
double click on the `RPi_Pico_SMD_TH` footprint from the `MCU_RaspberriPi_and_Boards` library and then click on the `Footprint properties` icon:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image16.png)
In the footprint properties window, first select the `3D Settings` tab. Please note that the preview shows only the PCB board with the footprint added on step 3, without any 3D representation of the Raspberry Pi Pico board. Now click on the folder icon to add the 3D model:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image17.png)
Navigate to the `RP-Pico Libraries` folder, select the `Pico.wrl` file and wait until the model is shown in the right panel, then confirm with OK:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image18.png)
The model is already scaled and translated to match the footprint:
![symbol library manager](Images/Image19.png)
now close the `Footprint Properties` window, and the `Footprint Editor`, obviously saving the changes.
## Conclusion
Now that you've installed the schema and footprint and added the 3D model to the footprint, you can use the Raspberry Pi Pico board on your KiCad projects.
I've also added a test KiCad Project on the `Test` folder, that you can use to see an example of it.
Have fun!

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# KiCad-RP-Pico
A simple repository of files needed to add a 3D footprint of the Raspberry Pi Pico board to KiCad.
![Rasperry Pi Pico mechanical specification](Images/Image01.png)
## Schematic and footprint
I've started from the schematics and footprint files available on the [HeadBoffin RP_Silicon_KiCad GitHub project](https://github.com/HeadBoffin/RP_Silicon_KiCad). Because there are some errors in the readme file on how and where we can get those files from the Raspberry Pi web site, I've copied the needed files here, on the `RP-Pico Libraries` folder. Follow the [install instructions](Install%20instructions.md) to add the Raspberry Pi Pico board schema and footprint to a KiCad project:
![schema and footprint screenshot](Images/Image02.png)
## 3D Visual
Elas, with the files found in the [HeadBoffin project](https://github.com/HeadBoffin/RP_Silicon_KiCad) no visual footprint is available, as we can see on the 3D viewer:
![footprint without 3D visual screenshot](Images/Image03.png)
So I decided to create one, using the mechanical specification from the [Raspberry Pi Pico datasheet](https://datasheets.raspberrypi.org/pico/pico-datasheet.pdf):
![Rasperry Pi Pico mechanical specification](Images/Image04.png)
I've used SketchUp to create the 3D model:
![Rasperry Pi Pico mechanical specification](Images/Image05.png)
and I used the native Sketchup export function (no plugin needed) to create the VRLM file `Pico.wrl` that I've also added an the `RP-Pico Libraries` folder, as the VRLM format is one of the 3D model format that KiCad allow to use for the visual representation of a CPB footprint.
After adding it to the Raspberry Pi Pico KiCad footprint library, we can finally see the visual representation of the Raspberry Pi Pico board:
![Rasperry Pi Pico mechanical specification](Images/Image06.png)
Please note that the castellated pins of the Pico board allow it to be usable as a surface mount module. That's way you see the board simply placed on top of the PCB board.
## Install 3D visual
Please note that adding the visual file to the footprint make the use of KiCad very slow when showing the 3D viewer for the first time. On my old laptop it takes 30s to show, but only 3s to reopen it. The good news are that you can disable it while working at your project and enable it when you want a nice 3D representation of your work.
To install and enable/disable it follow the [install instructions](Install%20instructions.md).
## Test project
I've created a test project where you can find a simple usage example. The first image of this readme shows the result.
Adapted from https://github.com/ncarandini/KiCad-RP-Pico
## License
Please read the [License](LICENSE) where is stated that this work is free to use.
A tweet with an image of your Raspberry Pi Pico project with a link this project and me (@tpcware) would be greatly appreciated.
A tweet with an image of your Raspberry Pi Pico project with a link this project and me (@tpcware) would be greatly appreciated.