When drawing a schematic in Eeschema Editor in KiCAD, there is a button to "Run CvPcb to associate components and footprints", so a schematic symbol on the *.sch file can be associated to a physical component to generate the Netlist and be soldered on the PCB when manufacturered. The component list in this library is kind of small relative to the number of components available for sale online. Is it possible to import components into KiCAD that users of the program have already created, so you don't have to build them from scratch using the Editor? Where can I find them, and how do I import them? I've only been using KiCAD for a week, because I learned it in Ham Radio Club. So I've never drawn a schematic before this week.
Best Answer
There are a lot of places where you can import custom-made components that manufacturers provide. For instance, Macrofab, a company here in Houston where I live, has instructions on how to do what you're asking.
Assuming that the manufacturer has components you can import into KiCAD, here are the instructions on how to do so. You may need to contact the manufacturer of the component to see if they have a component for KiCAD. Otherwise, you'll have to end up making it yourself and specifying its characteristics. I know at my job, I typically ask for the vendor if they have any SPICE or CAD components of their own products that I can import into the software and they typically do.
Otherwise, I have two options if they don't have what I am looking for: 1) Don't use their products and move on to the next product that I can use to get the job done... or 2) Ask for a specifications sheet along with its architecture (if I'm dealing with FPGAs or ASICs) and create it on the software... which isn't exactly a lot of fun.
But I'm digressing (but it is important if you're dealing with manufacturers)... Here the steps you can take to import what you need into KiCAD.
1) Open KiCAD
2) On the program/tool list, go to Eeschema.
3) Click Select -> Preferences -> Library.
4) Click Add and choose the newly exported ".lib" file.
5) You're finished!
Now if you want to import the footprints and patterns, then you need to follow these steps:
1) On the program/tool list, go to Pcbnew.
2) Follow the same steps as you would importing symbols, only this time select the ".mod" file.
3) You're done!
This is where I got this tutorial and pictures from.