This repository contains the SparkFun KiCad Library of commonly used parts. It is a cultivated combination of KiCad stock parts, SparkFun-unique footprints, and open-source 3D models. The main branch is generally proven out but we apologize in advance if this library has errors. Please report any issues! We'll fix them quickly.
Note: The SparkFun KiCad components contain internal part numbers (PROD_ID-*) for ease of manufacture for the SparkFun SMD lines.
KiCad is very good and has a large number of industry specified symbols and footprints. SparkFun has a large number of unique parts and components created since 2002. Rather than converting all previous SparkFun Eagle libraries to KiCad, we are adding new parts to this library as we need them for new projects. This gives us the opportunity to clear out old badness, but opens the door to new badness (ie, incorrect footprints) so reader beware!
The SparkFun approach: when a new part needs to be added we decide whether to use a KiCad stock symbol, edit it for use, or create it from scratch. We give preference to the stock KiCad symbol. We give heavy preference to using the original SparkFun footprint, but look at the stock KiCad footprint for inspiration as well. We'll try to follow the KiCad Library Conventions where it makes sense.
Additionally, SparkFun needs to assign various unique manufacturing data (ie, internal part numbers) to parts. To alleviate this, there is a large number of components with an identical symbol each with their own production ID information. For example, capacitors:
We use the following naming conventions to create our 'bubble gum' parts:
- [capacity]_[size]_[voltage]_[tolerance]
- [resistance]_[size]_[wattage optional]_[tolerance optional]
- [inductance]_[size]_[max current]
- [led color]_[size]_[wavelength optional]
The structure of these libraries is close to, but does not conform to the KiCad Content libraries structure. For that reason, you won't currently find these libraries in the KiCad Plugin and Content Manager.
You can download a copy of the library by clicking on the big green <> Code button above and selecting the Download ZIP option. Unzip the file somewhere convenient, usually in Documents. Open the KiCad Symbol Editor and select Preferences \ Configure Paths. Add a new Environmental Variable called SPARKFUN_KICAD_LIBRARY and set the Path to the SparkFun-KiCad-Libraries folder :
Then select Preferences \ Manage Symbol Libraries. Click the folder button to "Add existing library to table". Navigate to the SparkFun-KiCad-Libraries \ Symbols folder, select all the SparkFun-.kicad_sym symbol files and click Open :
Then likewise in the Footprint Editor, select Preferences \ Manage Footprint Libraries. Click the folder button to "Add existing (KiCad folder)". Navigate to the SparkFun-KiCad-Libraries \ Footprints folder, select everything except the 3D-Models folder (Strictly, that one is in the wrong place. Sorry about that) and click Select Folder :
If you're familiar with GitHub and Git / GitHub Desktop, you can stay completely up to date by cloning this repo.
Again, add the Symbols and Footprints Paths as described in the previous section.
If you use the "Watch All Activity" option above, you will be notified each time we Push changes in the libraries. You can then Pull the changes to stay completely up to date. (It's what we do!)
- /Footprints -- PCB footprints
- /Symbols -- Schematic symbols
This library is released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. You are welcome to use this library for commercial purposes. For attribution, we ask that when you begin to sell your device using our footprint, you email us with a link to the product being sold. We want bragging rights that we helped (in a very small part) to create your 8th world wonder. We would like the opportunity to feature your device on our homepage.
Please consider contributing back to this library or others to help the open-source hardware community continue to thrive and grow!
- Your friends at SparkFun
