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KiCad Changelog

What's new in KiCad 8.0.1

Apr 2, 2024
  • General:
  • Fix custom font rendering issue. #11463
  • Improve custom font rendering performance. #16568
  • Update properties panel to use select language. #16589
  • Make double click open object properties dialog in search panel. #16934
  • Improve object alignment tooltips.
  • Use correct text color in library tree selected items on non-OSX platforms.
  • Fix floating point rounding issues with scaled parameters in settings. #17070
  • Fix bottom panel background color in footprint and symbol chooser frames. #15810
  • Don’t import invalid SVG polygons. #17091
  • Improve fallback (Cairo) canvas performance.
  • Reduce fallback (Cairo) canvas memory use.
  • Check environment variable when testing for unresolved variables. #17174
  • Use a version string without the extra packaging information in drawing sheets. #17176
  • Don’t show hidden directories and files in the project tree browser. #16207
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix ghosting when placing multiple label and text objects. #16885
  • Improve custom rule memberOfFootprint help.
  • Improve custom rule assertion constraints help.
  • Do not prevent netclass directive label from being placed when previously placed with no netclass assignment. #16997
  • Do not reset annotation on reference changes when updating or changing symbols from library. #16991
  • Improve layout of schematic colors preview. #17043
  • Set up default netclass wire and bus widths when importing Altium schematic. #17024
  • Ignore field moves when comparing schematic symbol to library symbol. #16944
  • Change symbol library search to "and" instead of "or" search terms. #16974
  • Do not load pin properties as fields when importing Altium. #17048
  • Select graphical shapes based on effective shape instead of bounding box.
  • Improve connectivity performance.
  • Improve responsiveness of some editing operations.
  • Fix crash when assigning footprint in symbol properties dialog. #17154
  • Show correct library identifier in change symbols dialog. #17162
  • Keep schematic text upright when opening V6 schematic. #17082
  • Fix sheet pin align to grid issue. #16920
  • Add text size to symbol field properties panel.
  • Do not draw checkboxes and icons on top of each other in footprint chooser. #17217
  • Do not overwrite the first item in alternate pin selection list when changing alternate pin. #17221
  • Fix crash when editing a legacy schematic with missing library symbols. #17232
  • Prevent silent deletion of entire symbol when using "Edit Symbol Fields" dialog. #17229
  • Do not print selected item on every page. #17132
  • Update net navigator when cross probing from board editor net highlight. #16838
  • Convert legacy schematic descriptions to fields. #17202
  • Fix crash in zone filler. #17237
  • Fix crash when ignoring an ERC violation. #17375
  • Spice Simulator:
  • Improve tooltips. #17009
  • Update VDMOS model defaults to ngspice-41 and later. #17073
  • Fix collecting of signals for S-parameter analysis.
  • Do not use ohms as units for controlling voltage source parameter. #17076
  • Handle single source DC analyses correctly. #17119
  • Only change pin assignments from user interaction. #16349
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Update description in library tree immediately when changed in properties dialog. #16971
  • Improve database library load performance. #17031
  • Add pin count and footprint filters options to footprint chooser dialog. #17105
  • Add show/hide invisible pins and fields to view menu and toolbar. #8020
  • Add KiCad symbol library files to import symbol file selector filters. #17176
  • Fix crash when switching between two git branches of an open library. #17204
  • Board Editor:
  • Properly create bounding hull cutouts for rule area zones. #16347
  • Do not snap mirrored graphic objects to center of selection when not moved. #16524
  • Prevent unnecessary move at the beginning of move command. #11080
  • Prevent duplicate nets when renaming a net in the net inspector. #17025
  • Rule areas should be allowed on user layers. #17034
  • Update "Edit Teardrops" dialog to match other teardrop terminology. #17050
  • Improve teardrop dialog terminology. #17050
  • Fix teardrop generation when arc track is connected to pad.
  • Highlight nets and show length tuning status when adding tuning patterns.
  • Add turn off all layers preset option to the appearance manager. #15625
  • Fix assert and ghost footprint after undoing a footprint drag operation. #17087
  • Fix broken routing tool immediate mode (X key press) handling. #17101
  • Fix broken rotated rectangles when importing Eagle boards. #17135
  • Do not unexpectedly switch focus in board setup grids using the up and down arrow keys. #17144
  • Improve grid origin action discoverability. #17007
  • Fix crash when placing vias and using measure tool. #17164
  • Add option to footprint chooser to switch between the selected footprint or its 3D model. #16173
  • Fix memory leak in net inspector dialog.
  • Fix memory leak when adding tracks. #16839
  • Reduce undo buffer memory usage when deleting group objects. #17175
  • Support multi-line text when importing EasyEDA boards. #17171
  • Fix issue with rounded rectangles in GERBER plots.
  • Unflip view when selecting a viewport which isn’t flipped. #13773
  • Prevent tool re-entrancy when placing vias and using measure tool. #17164
  • Do not block DRC when schematic parity is check is performed. #17003
  • Do not extend lines beyond the usable canvas. #16959
  • Fix crash loading board with undefined net item information. #17230
  • Rework on bottom panel of footprint chooser to properly display long strings.
  • Correctly handle circular board outline cut outs in STEP exports. #17137
  • Correctly handle footprint graphic knockouts for no-net case. #17223
  • Save and restore corner radius ratio when plotting pads. #17247
  • Don’t select reference images when they are hidden. #16283
  • Revert changed rotation behavior for all objects except text boxes. #16481
  • Fix selection freeze when selecting two zones on the same layer with different nets. #17327
  • Do not clip output when plotting to PDF. #17355
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Improve missing feature warnings when importing Altium footprint libraries. #16975
  • Draw graphical shapes with correct fill color. #17250
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Add option to use PCB Editor physical stackup settings as defaults. #17085
  • Update color changes made in appearance panel. #17374
  • Gerber Viewer:
  • Fix broken XOR mode behavior. #17282
  • Worksheet Editor:
  • Hide text item properties built in keywords drop down list when changing control focus. #17124
  • Fix properties frame focus issue.
  • Python scripting:
  • Fix broken Python path on Debian based platforms. #16939 and #17151
  • Command Line Interface:
  • Allow upgrade of legacy and non-KiCad symbol libraries.
  • Windows:
  • Fix footprint chooser graphical glitch after task switch. #15810
  • Fix unselectable footprints in footprint chooser. #15889
  • Fix crash on pre-1903 Chinese Windows 10 systems when importing EasyEDA projects. #17248

New in KiCad 7.0.10 (Jan 3, 2024)

  • General:
  • Fix hidden text orientation when SVG plot is mirrored. #15422
  • Match mirror state between hidden and text when plotting to PDF. #16066
  • Fix bad outline font glyphs when ligatures apply.
  • Don’t copy hidden files and folders when creating project from template. #16093
  • Do not store twice files with extension .gm when archiving project.
  • Warn when installing PCM local package that is incompatible. #14243
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix net highlighting when signal contains '/' character. #15212
  • Fix incorrect variable expansion when printing out to PDF. #16026
  • Fix incorrect rotation of symbol text in text boxes. #16027
  • Fix corrupted text box in symbol with multiple units. #15994
  • Fix incorrect arc orientation when loading legacy schematics. #16048
  • Restore the bus selection behavior of the schematic net highlight tool. #15388
  • Fix broken schematic net highlighting. #16131
  • Fix unconnected schematic net highlighting issue. #16218
  • Fix ODBC library crash in schematic editor opening added symbol in the symbol editor. #16090
  • Fix crash when pressing insert after adding then entering a hierarchical sheet. #16168
  • Fix broken symbol reference designators on paste special. #15981
  • Fix crash on save after pasting symbols in schematic editor. #16300
  • Fix crash when duplicating and editing a hierarchical label. #16264
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Enforce symbol name not being empty. #15859
  • Fix compatibility with some old symbol libraries.
  • Fix invalid string compare in IBIS parser. #16223
  • Do not clear sheet pin highlighting when selecting or deselecting selected hierarchical sheets. #16139
  • Prevent opening symbol library and label properties dialogs simultaneously which causes a crash after closing the dialogs. #16112
  • Fix undo for wire operations. #16216
  • Simulator:
  • Allow returning to empty value in spice model editor. #15871
  • Support empty strings in line with keywords in IBIS models.
  • Board Editor:
  • Fix improper rotation of footprint when using swap command. #16025
  • Fix hang when pressing the move layer up shortcut key when no copper layer is visible. #16019
  • Fix broken thermal reliefs on copper pour. #16024
  • Fix incorrect DRC marker positions. #16029
  • Router performance improvements.
  • Fix crash when creating an array of footprint fields. #16088
  • Fix broken STEP export for certain models. #15485
  • Fix old python examples and a compatibility issue. #16158
  • Fix crash when using custom DRC rule with rule area and hole_to_hole constraint. #16230
  • Prevent slivers on copper fill. #16182
  • Import a few more rules from Altium board files. #15585
  • Fill empty zones when auto-fill is on. #16234
  • Update GenCAD export to handle arbitrary outline. #15961
  • Plot footprint edge cuts in PDF drill map file. #15247
  • Fix crash when deleting measurement in a footprint. #16315
  • Draw locked shape shadows using continuous lines. #16327
  • Crash when activating clearance resolution or constraints resolution dialogs. #16335
  • Gerber Viewer:
  • Fix issues related to comments and primitives in macros. #16049
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Fix a crash when changing preferences. #16059
  • Fix incorrect display of mirrored polygon on bottom layer. #15706
  • Fix incorrect display of text boxes.
  • Fix display of single face shells.

New in KiCad 7.0.9 (Nov 9, 2023)

  • General:
  • Fix orphaned lock files.
  • Set focus back to the main window after dialog is dismissed. #15603
  • Draw zero sized rectangles on OpenGL canvas. #15850
  • Fix zero sized or too thick rectangles when plotting to PDF. #15862
  • Prevent rectangles from always being filled when plotting to HPGL.
  • Fix random lines connecting to circles when plotting in HPGL.
  • Improve bitmap caching performance.
  • Don’t show integer overflow errors in release builds. #15529
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix crash when updating symbols. #15715
  • Fix crash when placing symbol. #15728
  • Do not allow file overwrite when importing third party schematics. #15570
  • Implement printing and plotting for directive specific label shapes. #15650
  • Handle flipped horizontal and vertical justifications in fields grid. #15677
  • Support database columns with numeric data. #15662
  • Fix crash when loading schematic with a symbol the has a anme containing {slash} instead of /. #15791
  • Handle justification when hit testing fields. #15722
  • Fix the insufficient privileges message in symbol remap dialog.
  • Fix loading legacy schematic files with ERC markers.
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Synchronize value field when renaming a symbol. #15621
  • Update title bar when renaming the canvas symbol.
  • Synchronize value field when performing symbol "Save As". #15647
  • Handle read only libraries when saving symbol from canvas. #15519
  • Show empty libraries in library tree panel. #15875
  • Simulator:
  • Fix small signal AC simulation failure when using current source. #15626
  • Include spice model comment lines in pin assingment "Reference" window. #15660
  • Don’t turn an empty string into a '0' in spice model editor. #15871
  • Board Editor:
  • Do not create duplicate layer names when importing Altium PCB. #15583
  • Save flip board status in custom preset.
  • Fix selection of graphics only footprints in single layer view modes. #15284
  • Extend boundary size of canvas.
  • Fix search crash when changing boards.
  • Fix crash when exporting GERBER files. #15782
  • Fix incorrect arc in some cases when s-expression uses mid-points. #15694
  • Fix bug in custom rules evaluator.
  • Don’t import Altium objects to disabled layers. #15586
  • Perform full high contrast update of vias and pads if net names are shown. #15657
  • Fix rendering issue with vias not connected on all layers. #15329
  • Correct path of PCB drawing sheet file on "Save As". #15551
  • Repair stand alone application 3D plugin path resolution. #15322
  • Start measuring from first mouse drag location instead of mouse click location. #15623
  • Fix errors in calculating tuning length. #10614
  • Fix broken drawing sheet rendering when board view is flipped. #15768
  • Fix decreasing via size giving option not found in design rules. #15774
  • Improved difficult footprint selection issue. #15813
  • Fix a regression causing missing polygons when importing Eagle boards. #15829
  • Reduce the pen width used to plot oval shapes for a better look when generating drill map files.
  • Restore fill polygons on proper layers when flipping zones.
  • Fix crash for zero length lines on edge cuts layer when running DRC. #15865
  • Do not create unexpected zones on solder mask layers. #15847
  • Do not change blind/buried via layers when adding new layers. #15856
  • Fix loading through hole pads when drill token is missing.
  • Fix a crash when using length tuning tools. #15874
  • Fix invisible rats nest rendering while moving footprint on white background. #15841
  • Honour custom layer names for top and bottom copper layers in custom rules. #15835
  • Include solder mask in STEP export stackup height. #15632
  • Fix crash when selecting a zone on inner layer and reducing the number of copper layers. #15866
  • Do not route tracks tighter than DRC allows. #14898
  • Fix DRC crash. #15853
  • Fix crash when linking footprints to external library. #15797
  • Fix crash when using "Duplicate Zone onto Layer…?" if the original zone has multiple copper layers. #15916
  • Fix false positive when performing footprint parity DRC. #15917
  • Fix footprints being difficult to select in high-contrast modes.
  • Fix broken via shoving when routing. #15840
  • Don’t run DRC checks against reference images. #15932
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Show empty libraries in library tree panel. #15875
  • Fix crash when copying and pasting all objects. #15930
  • Gerber Viewer:
  • Fix case sensitivity for gerber file extension wildcards. #15877
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Fix crash with certain 3D models. #15336
  • Calculator Tools:
  • Correct transmission line conductor loss calculation. #15873
  • Command Line Interface:
  • Fix doubled text variable substitution. #15765
  • Windows:
  • Change variable substitution for path separators.
  • Bump wxWidgets and Curl versions.

New in KiCad 7.0.8 (Oct 9, 2023)

  • General:
  • Disable "Override individual item colors" on read-only themes. #15426
  • Fix text control width when displaying number with many digits. #15539
  • Fix crash when using overbar with custom font. #15508
  • Fix constant data collection prompts because user settings were getting erased constantly
  • Fix locale issues in graphics abstraction layer settings panel.
  • Include underscore characters in word search. #14779
  • Improve error reporting when running Python action plugins. #15520
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix crash when fetching symbols from database libraries. #15315
  • Fix broken bus alias definition entry behavior. #15320
  • Don’t stop drawing wire on unfold from bus operation. #15313
  • Improve handling of dangling markers during bus unfold.
  • Fix incorrect thermal relief spoke count. #15280
  • Provide more useful feedback when a database table is misconfigured.
  • Fix hang when opened if last shown on a different monitor. #11850
  • Make label user field selectable when using a custom font. #15165
  • Fix selection shadow drawing for global labels.
  • Fix graphical glitch after undo of sheet pin move. #15129
  • Properly highlight global and hierarchical label selections. #15461
  • Fix crash when changing symbol simulation field name visibility. #15470
  • Remove duplicate references from change symbol dialog. #15480
  • Prevent infinite loop hang when removing sheet instance properties. #15498
  • Improve handling of large number of duplicate references.
  • Prevent setup dialog crash due to missing severities panel initialization.
  • Don’t count pins of both body style when matching to footprint pads. #15550
  • Re-run automatic field placement after symbol update when appropriate. #15541
  • Save ERC settings and exclusions when saving schematic. #15274
  • Fix symbol name comparison when name contains forward slash characters. #15540
  • Support SHORT_NET_NAME, NET_NAME, NET_CLASS, and PIN_NAME variable expansion. #15544
  • Fix repeat item bug when moving, duplicating or copy-pasting an item. #15556
  • Honor override individual item colors setting for filled shapes. #15572
  • Support custom sheet sizes when importing Altium schematic.
  • Work around wxGTK printing offset. #1907
  • Fix OpenGL bug when importing non-KiCad schematic. #15159
  • Support line dash styles and colors when importing Altium schematic.
  • Fix connectivity regression. #14818
  • Fix crash when using ${FOOTPRINT_NAME} or ${FOOTPRINT_LIBRARY} variables. #15676
  • Properly handle incremental bus connections.
  • Simulator:
  • Prevent crash trying to load missing spice library.
  • Board Editor:
  • Fix failure on multiple DRC runs via scripting.
  • Implement hole clearance checking in router.
  • Fix crash when tuning the length of a differential pair. #15268
  • Fix bug when resolving clearance between pad and zone using custom rules. #15233
  • Fix crash when attempting to delete dimensions in a footprint. #15418
  • Fix STEP export for missing curve geometry. #14910
  • Ensure the correct spoke angle is displayed in the pad properties dialog.
  • Improve fidelity for thermal spokes when importing Eagle boards. #15428
  • Save invalid outline DRC error exclusion setting. #15415
  • Fix missing top side holes when exporting to STEP. #15467
  • Prevent crash when a plugin Python script tries to access the board editor frame too early. #15414
  • Compute VRML export bounding box with "origin at pcb center" using only the edge layer. #15472
  • Fix accidental plotting of disabled textbox borders. #15252
  • Fix crash loading a polygon when importing EAGLE board.
  • Fix crash when loading unknown signal class name when importing EAGLE board.
  • Fix a search pane crash when a row isn’t in the hit list.
  • Handle dimensions and textboxes when plotting contours to DXF. #11901
  • Correctly handle DXF arcs import with inverted coordinate system. #14905
  • Don’t snap a footprint or group to its children. #15535
  • Use 90 degree spokes when loading pre-7.0 files with custom pads with round anchors. #15518
  • Fix interactive router clearance violations around custom-shaped pads. #15553
  • Fix crash when activating "Pack & Move" during active move operation. #15545
  • Fix unexpected behavior when pressing G or D ("drag" hotkeys) while mouse-dragging. #15312
  • Remove up/down buttons from plot dialog plot on all layers selection until we implement layer ordering. #14574
  • Fix crash when duplicating then rotating a footprint. #15487
  • Correctly import polygon cutout in Altium importer. #15587
  • Don’t include plating thickness when drawing hole clearance lines. #15575
  • Flip view port when flip board is enabled.
  • Fix DRC crash. #15604
  • Fix reading/writing thermal spoke angles for custom pads. #15518
  • Fix oval pad snapping. #15594
  • Fix arc coordinate changes when saving unmodified board. #15073
  • Fix reading legacy zone fills which were based on stroke filled polygons.
  • Fix issues with very small arcs. #15639
  • Properly handle impedance control in board setup dialog. #15690
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Honor pad offset when creating custom pad anchors and polygons. #15494
  • Implement undo/redo when using pad edit mode changes.
  • Bug fixes for paste margins on custom-shaped pads. #15125
  • Print the command line sent to plot STEP file in dialog report window.
  • Footprint Library Viewer:
  • Remember library list pane width. #15500
  • Correctly retain pad anchor when converting custom pad shape to polygon. #15555
  • Gerber Viewer:
  • Fix incorrect export of flashed shapes on non copper layers when exporting to PCB. #15613
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Fix rendering disabled text box borders.
  • Fix crash attempting to render degenerate 3D shapes.
  • Fix mask layer display issue. #15642
  • Command Line Interface:
  • Add missing drill shape option when plotting board to SVG and PDF.
  • Add option to control oval drill export behavior.
  • Windows:
  • Update ngspice to version 41.

New in KiCad 7.0.7 (Aug 16, 2023)

  • General:
  • Fix build link error when linking nanoodbc. #15081
  • Fix broken text shadow offsets. #15019
  • Fix bitmap transparency in Cairo GAL.
  • Treat undo as backspace and/or escape when drawing polygons. #14961
  • Handle some macOS standard keyboard shortcuts in custom text editors. #14973
  • Fix text variable auto completion with return key. #15001
  • Always show the footprint in the default orientation in the 3D viewer panel.
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Improve search performance.
  • Fix printing background fill when paper orientation or size differs.
  • Import Altium net label justification.
  • Do not arbitrarily zoom when canceling page settings dialog. #15033
  • Fix slow warping and zoom reset when searching with find dialog. #14305
  • Create correct new wire color when dragging net labels. #15178
  • Fix incorrect color when continuing a wire. #15192
  • Do not ignore custom fields when updating from text and graphics properties dialog. #15206
  • Respect ERC error indicator color setting. #15203
  • Fix crash when loading schematic with missing sub-sheet files. #15222
  • Sort bus aliases by name to prevent VCS issues. #11890
  • Ensure the bitmap exported to the clipboard is valid. #14808
  • Fix broken cancel button in export symbols to new library dialog. #15278
  • Preserve unit associations when re-annotating. #14918
  • Database libraries performance improvements.
  • Remove unwanted outline in exported graphics. #15242
  • Fix crash when power symbol is connected to hierarchical bus. #15217
  • Fix crash when using '/' character in sheet name. #15367
  • Footprint Assignment Tool:
  • Fix crash when attempting to use ratsnest settings. #15153
  • Board Editor:
  • Check for zone to zone overlap.
  • Fix EAGLE import footprint text alignment.
  • Fix unconnected track end warning for track stubs inside vias and pads. #14211
  • Fix crash interpreting malformed rule. #14989
  • Fix DRC bug created by broken rounded rule zone fill. #15007
  • Fix crash when selecting grouped items. #15021
  • Save project when saving the board. #14991
  • Tailor object inspector text properties for dimension objects.
  • Allow routing to a free pad when it has a hole. #15093
  • Add SHORT_NET_NAME processing to footprint variable resolution. #15095
  • Fix crash when opening zone properties dialog or object properties panel. #12871
  • Fix shorts created by zone fill. #15160
  • Fix plotting performance issues when text is on mask layers. #15161
  • Make undo of set grid origin restore Y coordinate correctly. #15177
  • Fix DRC error indicator position. #15209
  • Fix Altium importer orientation of polygons and non copper pads in footprints.
  • Fix broken net-tie DRC. #14008
  • Do not ignore trace routing clearances. #15162
  • Fix incorrect GERBER X3 key word.
  • Prevent copper finish setting in board setup dialog from getting reset to none.
  • Fix layer preset object visibility regression. #15282
  • Do not ignore NPTHs when dragging via in shove mode. #15117
  • Allow shoving tracks with attached via on layers other than the top and bottom. #12873
  • Fix loading of via drill default sizes and other settings from legacy board files. #15350
  • Remove invalid polygons, import holes in non-copper polygons, import solder paste/mask expansion rules, import dashed outlines, and other improvements to the Altium importer.
  • Minor router and DRC performance improvements.
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Update new footprint library save path when changing projects. #15102
  • Fix crash when moving a solder paste aperture relative to an existing pad. #15090
  • Prevent crash when typing '${' in text control. #15283
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Improve calculation of min and max zoom. #15078
  • Drawing Sheet Editor:
  • Fix saving text with custom font. #15154
  • Windows:
  • Move kicad-vcpkg forward to pickup new version of OpenCascade.
  • Fix 3D model viewer panel height to prevent clipped controls. #13896

New in KiCad 7.0.6 (Jul 7, 2023)

  • General:
  • Fix issue with colours in the new lazy-loaded preference panels. #14784
  • Fix preferences dialog "Reset to Default" button. #14786
  • Fix view shifting when infobar is shown.
  • Improve appearance of stroked knockout text.
  • Outline font performance improvements. #14303
  • Correctly handle hidden columns when pasting into grids. #14844
  • Handle numeric keypad enter in missing places. #14244
  • Force word wrapping of PCM package descriptions on Mac. #13328
  • Fix broken cursor key handling in library tree pane. #12702
  • Fix null pointer access attempting to read common settings. #14928
  • Maintain file permissions to prevent locking out other developers. #13574
  • Fix broken file locking. #14734
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix block mirroring of fields attached to labels. 14758
  • Fix pin preferences dialog size. #14785
  • Fix crash if ${VALUE} variable expansion recurses. #14815
  • Fix worksheet text layout when using custom font. #14822
  • Don’t dim fields when selecting them.
  • Fix arc color printing bug. #14915
  • Fix inter-sheet reference position when printing. #14978
  • Spice Simulator:
  • Fix handling of SPICE parameters that include capital letters. #14793
  • Fix unhandled exception when loading model files. #15012
  • Fix unknown model type in IBIS file. #15068
  • Fix SENTRY issue KICAD-2EF.
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Ensure a new derived symbol has the correct alternate body style option displayed. #13739
  • Fix null pointer assertion in symbol library cache. #14927
  • Fix segfault when selecting a pad from the footprint browser. #14971
  • Footprint Assignment Tool:
  • Fix crash when "View selected footprint in footprint viewer" is clicked. #14850
  • Fix crash when destroy footprint frame gets called more than once. #14928
  • Board Editor:
  • Export STEP circular board outlines as cylinder.
  • Fix unexpected rats nest behavior. #14715
  • Delete ratsnest line after drawing track. #14781
  • Fix discrepancy between interactive routing and design rules checker. #14771
  • Fix clipped combobox entry in text box dialog.
  • Hook up text variable automatic completion. #14777
  • Fix crash when saving a board with overbar text using a non KiCad font. #14804
  • Shorten overly verbose error message on board load failure. #14780
  • Fix DRC assertion for unsupported collisions. #14890
  • Fix differential pair routing crash. #14852
  • Fix use after free crash in router drag walkaround mode.
  • Don’t allow setting a pad width or height of 0. #14278
  • Fix broken rotated dimensions when importing Altium PCB. #13751
  • Fix net inspector crash. #14697
  • Fix search pane not remembering docking sizes and positions. #14120
  • Do not allow selecting reference text when reference display is disabled. #14911
  • Show dimensions in footprint preview panel. #14913
  • Re-create missing exclusion markers if DRC was canceled. #14919
  • Do not plot edge cut layer arcs in Gerber files when plotting solder mask layers. #14960
  • Do not require restart to make graphic default settings changes take effect. #14932
  • Ensure differential pair gap is respected when switching track postures. #14984
  • Fix tab order in edit text and graphics properties dialog. #9406
  • Fix broken arcs on DXF import. #14210
  • Fix zone fill issue with net ties. #15069
  • Add DRC testing for copper graphic to zone fill collisions.
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Fix unexpected change of default preferences in text and graphic properties dialog. #14925
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Trim solder paste and other layers to holes. #8484
  • Fix display of castellated vias. #14757
  • PCB Calculator:
  • Fix grid layout issues on Ubuntu. #14743
  • Command Line Interface:
  • Fix blank symbol on SVG export file names. #14857
  • Fix incorrect unit when user origin is specifed when exporting STEP files.
  • Support mirror option in PDF export.
  • Add the missing plot formats to schematic export.
  • Add option to plot PCB GERBER files with KiCad file extension.

New in KiCad 7.0.5 (May 30, 2023)

  • General:
  • Initialize CURL library for thread safety.
  • Fix bitmap rotation and mirroring issues.
  • Do not close dialogs on escape key when typing in a text control. #14514
  • Do not display additional space before subscript/superscript text in text boxes. #14683
  • Make control-backspace clear until last whitespace in text edit controls. #13910
  • Catch unhandled exception at startup. #14703
  • Use correct alpha blending when plotting to PDF. #14238
  • Fix broken bug report URL. #14759
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Do not collapse tree when filtering symbol chooser dialog search results. #13905
  • Do not ignore "Exclude from BOM" and "Exclude from board" attributes for derived symbols. #13740
  • Correctly handle symbols with '/' character in the name. #14057
  • Fix crash when pasting then pressing escape. #14315
  • Ignore empty field name templates. #14552
  • Ensure item is on grid if there was no motion between clicks.
  • Fix clipped text in ERC dialog. #14569
  • Save worksheet file name in project file. #14219
  • Allow hex entry of 0 transparency in color picker. #14646
  • Fix datasheet path resolution when path contains double slashes. #14564
  • Set focus to text control when editing text box properties. #14685
  • Fix for mouse stuck in canvas issue. #12653
  • Handle user defined attributes when importing Eagle schematics. #13798
  • Fix broken nets using hierarchical labels. #14657
  • Remove extra blank line in schematic file when saving with ERC markers. #11405
  • Fix crash when entering subsheets with resolved variables. #14720
  • Mirror netclass labels correctly. #14758
  • Spice Simulator:
  • Do not show both sets of pins for symbols with alternate body styles (DeMorgan). #14230
  • Do not create SPICE netlists with spaces in net names. #14724
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Save library when it’s selected in library tree panel. #14220
  • Cmd+A (Select All) selects all symbol editor components instead text in active text input box. #14237
  • Fix crash when infobar outlives the current symbol. #14680
  • Board Editor:
  • Highlight drilled hole to hole clearance of same nets in router. #12781
  • Fix graphical glitch after DRC and subsequent undo action. #13446
  • Do not detect DRC error when the footprint was deleted or updated with new one. #14351
  • Allow setting board minimum widths to zero. #13822
  • Fix crash when differential pair routing. #14537
  • Fix invalid overbar text for escaped characters. #14553
  • Fix overbar when using subscript characters. #13449
  • Trim VRML export layers to board outline. #14557
  • Handle multiple holes in footprints. #14468
  • Do not treat via placement as DRC violation when routing. #14603
  • Record parent rule for DRC assertions. See forum discussion
  • Fix incorrect mounting hole size on DSN export. #14656
  • Allow double-clicking item to open properties dialog in search pane. #12475
  • Fix crash when loading a file having vias on connected layers only. #14668
  • Add missing property to footprint texts table. #14357
  • Fix copper sliver issues. #14549
  • Fix issue routing differential pairs to footprint pads. #14324
  • Expand solder mask for NPTH pads. #14693
  • Fix field automatic placement issue. #14127
  • Don’t allow thickness of 0 in STEP export in case of an empty stackup. #10790
  • Make footprint drag include connected traces. #14515
  • Add missing property to footprint texts table. #14357
  • Use constraints to determine netclass width. #14190
  • Fix rotating bitmaps. #14197
  • Fix shove router clearance DRC violations. #14707
  • Do not route trans with clearance errors. #14659
  • Fill shapes with open path when importing SVG. #14518
  • Ensure track posture switches on first attempt. #12369
  • Prevent unwanted minus sign in properties panel. #14168
  • Adjust stroke font output to match version 6 output. $14609
  • Fix crash on start of routing. #14733
  • Fix crash when shoving via or trace. #14741
  • Fix broken router collision with self behavior. #14795
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Crash when importing version 5.1 settings. #14691
  • Gerber Viewer:
  • Fix rounded corners when exporting to KiCad board file. #14136
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Use correct board stack up layer color settings. #14616
  • Show footprint board regardless of project. $14246
  • PCB Calculator:
  • Save regulator calculator settings.
  • Drawing Sheet Editor:
  • Add missing grid properties dialog. #14612
  • Command Line Interface:
  • Load custom drawing sheets for board. #14171
  • Do not fail silently if output directory does not exist. #14437
  • Windows:
  • Fix broken text selection for some UI elements. #14692

New in KiCad 7.0.2 (Apr 21, 2023)

  • General:
  • Select correct face from a .ttc file. #13314
  • Fix corrupt PDF plots on when fields contain parenthesis. #14302
  • Fix settings import paths showing up twice on GTK builds.
  • Fix clashing error dialogs when can’t load dynamic library.
  • Ensure 3D shapes are always shown in footprint settings dialog. #14371
  • Prevent crash when changing color settings.
  • Fix fix incorrect arc position when plotting GERBER files with offset. #14402
  • Add file version backwards lockout for project file. #14414
  • Fix crash when reading or writing settings.
  • Fix broken library nickname input when adding library table entry with add button. #14291
  • Update Clipper to version 1.2+.
  • Fix image bounding box size. #14432
  • Make library table edit dialog context menu activate and deactivate entries take effect immediately. #14517
  • Make symbol and footprint library trees sensitive to language change.
  • Fix possible event race condition on startup.
  • Add hack to speed up font choice box widget creation. #14277
  • Avoid segfault when cancelling initial global library setup.
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix broken undo on alternate pin assignments. #14100
  • Add missing sheet names to PDF plot. #14233
  • Remove non-global labels from label properties dialog selection list. #14319
  • Remove replace all accelerator key from find/replace dialog. #14304
  • Create field name if user doesn’t specify one.
  • Fix sheet pin name case sensitivity issue. #14415
  • Fix incorrect position of text for some rotations when plotting. #14327
  • Ignore unknown attributes when importing CADSTAR schematic. #13526
  • Do not duplicate signals when unfolding bus definitions. #14269
  • Fix broken net-class label when using hierarchical sub-sheets. #14494
  • Fix crash when changing net label to global label. #14493
  • Ensure swapping global labels swaps inter-sheet references. #14520
  • Allow bus elements to connect. #14300
  • Fix broken symbol has changed in library ERC. #14160
  • Search fields in labels. #14075
  • Spice Simulator:
  • Add missing .dc command to SPICE directives list. #14215
  • Added PSPICE/LTSPICE JFET model parameters. #12425
  • Handle underscore in parameter names. #14308
  • Fix crash when transistor model is missing. #14295
  • Ensure legend reflects gain/phase for AC small signal analyses. #14301
  • Don’t attempt to load unknown plot types.
  • Ignore extraneous LTSpice parameters for VDMOS models. #14299
  • Separate legacy model name from SPICE parameters. #13988
  • Do not include invalid simulation parameters. #14369
  • Fix crash loading simulation with non-existent pin. #14522
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Rix incorrect position of fields when loading a symbol from schematic.
  • Board Editor:
  • Fix crash for stale ratsnest connections. #14254
  • Handle plotting of text on solder mask layer. #14226
  • Add Property Inspector support for dimension objects.
  • Fix crash when manipulating zone corner. #14265
  • Fix broken via placement on 45 degree tracks. #14293
  • Fix crash when loading a library with a footprint containing a dimension.
  • Fix contradicting number of warnings when updating board from schematic. #14290.
  • Do not include groups when not included in filter. #14273
  • Fix crash when selecting grouped and ungrouped items. #14347
  • Snap to grid on orthoganal dimension creation. #13728
  • Fix "Locked Item Shadow" enable when changing presets. #14381
  • Allow solder mask bridges between net-tie-group pads. #14412
  • Fix crash when importing Eagle board with layers that cannot be mapped.
  • Fix broken silkscreen clipped by soldermask DRC. #14417
  • Update allow-solder-mask-bridges when updating footprint from library. #14422
  • Use the correct locked shadow color.
  • Ensure the footprint is updated after new library selection in footprint viewer.
  • Fix loading of rounded rectangle pads in CADSTAR importer. #14445
  • Fix text position when moving text boxes. #14452
  • Properly import layer stack up when importing CADSTAR board files. #14443
  • Prevent board setup dialog from being displayed multiple times.
  • Add hole clearance to mounting hole keepouts for SPECCTRA export. #14439
  • Save footprint position changed in properties panel. #14348
  • Apply text knock out when exporting to VRML. #14473
  • Fix over zealous plot of negative silkscreen layer objects.
  • Prevent copper zone fill connections from being too narrow. #14130
  • Add DRC support for holes on inner corners of board outline. #13437
  • Handle more pad shapes correctly when building differential pair gateways. #1883
  • Fix crash when importing empty PCAD polygons.
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Fix crash when inserting copied trace into footprint. #14335
  • Always export the currently loaded footprint.
  • Gerber Viewer:
  • Fix handling of variable redefinitions.
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Avoid drawing invalid arcs in 3D viewer. #14271
  • Python scripting:
  • Load the global fp-lib-table before running the DRC. #13815
  • Remove board_item duplicate method. #14460
  • Command Line Interface:
  • Fix incorrect units in user layer when exporting to PDF. #14170
  • Fix crash due to dialogs buried in the pcb parser.
  • Do not ignore the "--separate_files" option when generating drill files. #14454
  • Allow using UI and board file layer names. #14455
  • Windows:
  • Update vcpkg curl and Python versions.
  • Bump ngspice build version to 40.

New in KiCad 7.0.1 (Mar 13, 2023)

  • Changelog:
  • General:
  • Ensure gal is initialized before letting DoRepaint() crash.
  • Prevent GAL crash on initialization.
  • Fix crash when font face fails to load.
  • Improve print quality when using custom fonts. #13891
  • Fix incorrect image size. #13884
  • Prevent ghost image after canceling bitmap placement.
  • Make Freetype access thread safe.
  • Fix crash when accessing library tables.
  • Fix --use-drill-file-origin command line argument. #13991
  • Fix crash deleting project tree items.
  • Catch parsing exceptions of PCM local repository.
  • Fix Chinese character type support. #14011
  • Fix built in color scheme for Python scripting.
  • Fix incorrect tilt when plotting italic text. #14023
  • Correctly open selected file in text editor. #14086
  • Reduce some flickering in PCM.
  • Adjust stroke font baseline offset to better match 6.0. #13886
  • Fix CADSTAR importer memory leaks.
  • Handle dielectric sub-layers in STEP export.
  • Fix STEP exporting boards with curves. #14115
  • Reload library tables when new libraries are added via PCM. #12500
  • Fix layer widget color swatches in HiDPI situations.
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Don’t dirty connectivity when moving non-reference schematic field.
  • Bug fixes for library symbol pin bounding box generation.
  • Make sure screen RTrees are updated when changing bounding boxes.
  • Prevent DRC warning from r-appearing after updating footprint. #13802
  • Fix too-narrow text edit control on Mac. #13866
  • Text box margin should account for border thickness. #13877
  • Don’t gray out selection shadows for DNP items. #13878
  • Keep image sizes when loading/saving 7.0 schematic files.
  • Fix editing wire and bus net label properties. #13936
  • Honor blank and white plot option for bitmap images. #14013
  • Import arcs correctly in CADSTAR importer. #14101
  • Allow change symbol tool to properly undo changes. #14061
  • Fix confusing SPICE error when navigating schematic. #14102
  • Show selection highlight for symbol reference and value field. #13876
  • Fix crash when undoing page number change with hierarchy navigator. #14099
  • Correctly handle alternate pin definitions when printing. #14122
  • Enable user variable substitution on the 'symbol chooser' datasheet field. #13737
  • Use field data from schematic symbol instead of library symbol in BOM script. #14129
  • Spice Simulator:
  • Prevent a crash when a spice SW_I lacks two pin net names.
  • Prepend correct SPICE prefix when necessary for plotting currents. #13850
  • Fix crash when changing IBIS type. #13856
  • Fix layout issue in simulation model dialog IBIS fields.
  • Prevent setting simulation type from overwriting .options command. #13849
  • Prevent crash in simulation plot panel.
  • Allow user to specify phase when defining sine wave.
  • Allow sources that are both AC and TRAN.
  • Save state of "Save all power dissipations" check box in simulation command dialog. #13978.
  • Prevent simulation model dialog from picking up the wrong model. #13869
  • Set simulation source model parameters correctly. #13912
  • Don’t allow 0 simulation field text size. #13987
  • Implement default levels for JFET, MOSFET, and MESFET models.
  • Don’t allow extra text in simulation properties dialog. #13996
  • Don’t change parameter units formatting. #13989
  • Save first parameter when editing multiple parameters in model properties dialog. #13852
  • Don’t copy model file into spice net list. #13953
  • Do not allow power symbol value field to be overwritten in text properties dialog. #14056
  • Fix crash when using over-lined text. #14015
  • Fix crash when resizing window. #14088
  • Do not add unwanted instance field parameter in spice model editor parameter grid is focused. #13756
  • Fix broken simulator net list. #14083
  • Correct pins for some BJT and MESFET builtin models. #13848
  • Fix spacing and font size issues in 3D model preview dialog. #13880
  • Fix some initial simulator conditions.
  • Convert inline models in Sim.Params fields to SPICE syntax. #14157
  • Make simulator model editor parameter grid number formats behave inconsistently. #13851
  • Fix crash when loading a spice library for simulation. #12425
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Fix incorrect data when adding new columns to library tree. #13907
  • Prevent selected items from becoming invisible. #13944
  • Do not default to "common to all units" mode. #14084
  • Board Editor:
  • Fix crash during DRC check. #13867
  • Fix STEP model colors. #13882.
  • Allow plotting of multiple board layers per plot in Python. #13841
  • Fix more STEP model color issues. #13611
  • Enable zone hatch settings in properties panel.
  • Do not collide items within a net tie footprint when routing. #13909
  • Draw selection layer in front of object instead of behind. #11142
  • Fix incorrect rotation of thermal spokes for rotated footprints. #13919
  • Do not change visibility objects when changing layer visibility. #13836
  • Fix edge clearance bug in DRC custom rule. #13947
  • Make zone automatic refill checks more discerning. #11362
  • Fix crash in CADSTAR parser.
  • Disable automatic zone refilling by default.
  • Fix breaking Python plugins in board editor when opening footprint editor.
  • Fix pads losing nets after undo.
  • Print original net names properly when reconnecting zones/vias.
  • Fix some shape properties in properties editor.
  • Fix missing knock out text when plotting. #14068
  • Set copper edge clearance to a more reasonable default.
  • Fix DRC failure to find clearance violations. #13844
  • Optimize net name and number text size and position on pad. #13872
  • Add bitmap support to Python extension.
  • Add ability to ignore copper clearance in custom rules. #14069
  • Fix crash when inserting via while routing differential pair with custom rule. #13993
  • Synchronize selection of selected items after Python plugin is run.
  • Treat dimensions in footprint as text for bounding box calculations.
  • Use automatic dimension when unit couldn’t be determined importing from legacy board file.
  • Allow undo of alignment operations on groups. #13999
  • Do not over writing unspecified DRC constraints. #14070
  • Fix rounding errors in gerber files.
  • Always export footprint pad holes to STEP files.
  • Allow for rounding error in connection width checker. #14130 #14131
  • Ensure all attributes are added to polygon items when plotting GERBER files.
  • Fix Python API for getting net items.
  • Rotate footprint text box correct for non-cardinal rotation angles. #14112
  • Fix crashe when changing zone borders with H, V, and 45 degree constraints enabled. #13969
  • Fix handling of multi-layer zones in Specctra export.
  • Handle fully nested zones correctly. #13915
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Update all units correctly when changing units in 3D model properties panel. #14156
  • 3D Viewer:
  • Avoid crashing when GL context creation fails.
  • Fix model transparency issue. #14005
  • Python scripting:
  • Fix Python call to get all net classes.
  • Windows:
  • Update Sentry to version 0.60.
  • Fix truncation of color panel swatches. #14052

New in KiCad 7.0.0 (Feb 13, 2023)

  • Version 7 Changes:
  • KiCad 7 is a big release despite coming only a year after KiCad 6 — in the past year, developers have made more than 6000 commits, fixing over 1200 reported issues and adding a number of new features. This post highlights some of the larger new features, but there are many other smaller improvements and fixes made by almost 200 different contributors.
  • General:
  • Release Schedule Change:
  • While we missed our official annual release schedule date of January 31st, the annual release schedule went pretty well for our first attempt. We will continue to improve our stable release process going forward as we adapt to the new schedule.
  • Custom Fonts:
  • Custom font support is now available in the schematic, PCB, and worksheet editors to allow the use of any system font.
  • Text Boxes:
  • Text box support was added in both the schematic and PCB editors.
  • 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Support:
  • 3Dconnexion has contributed support in the schematic, symbol library, PCB, and footprint editors and 3D viewer for their line of SpaceMouse products. For those unfamiliar, 3D mice are alternative input devices that give a unique way of navigating both 3D and 2D canvases that some users find more ergonomic or intuitive than traditional mice. Users with a 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse may find this a welcome addition to KiCad’s capabilities to support their needs.
  • Sentry Crash Reporting Data Collection:
  • Sentry is an open source platform to capture application events, crash dumps, and other analytics.
  • Both their hosted platform and the integrated SDK to handle crash reporting in C++ applications are open source on GitHub under the MIT license.
  • Sentry has sponsored KiCad by providing the core team with access to their SaaS platform to receive crash reports from KiCad users. During the Version 7 development cycle, KiCad has enabled opt-in Sentry crash reporting for Windows users (we are exploring expanding Sentry to more platforms in a future release). Users will be prompted once when KiCad is first started, and may choose whether or not to enable Sentry. Users may also switch Sentry data collection on or off at any time in the KiCad preferences.
  • Why do we want to collect data from users?
  • The primary use in KiCad will be to capture crash reports. If KiCad crashes, the Sentry tool will automatically send a report to the KiCad team containing information such as stack traces and core dumps.
  • In the future we may also use it to gather performance metrics of algorithms across the wider user base to answer questions such as "how long does it take on average to run the Fill All Zones command?".
  • What data is collected if Sentry is enabled?
  • A randomly-generated user ID (GUID) is created for each KiCad installation and is used to identify Sentry reports that come from the same installation (for example, if one user experiences a given crash three times).
  • This user ID can be reset at any time by the user through KiCad preferences.
  • Along with this user ID, Sentry collects crash dump information and extracts relevant portions such as call stacks and stack frames. The rest of the crash dump is discarded.
  • To aid in avoiding the collection of personally-identifying information (PII), all Sentry reports pass through a "sentry-relay" server owned by KiCad before being transmitted to the Sentry SaaS platform. This prevents user IP addresses from being disclosed to Sentry.
  • No KiCad design files are ever captured by Sentry.
  • More details about Sentry in KiCad
  • A new CMake variable, KICAD_USE_SENTRY, has been added where a value of OFF will disable the inclusion of the Sentry SDK entirely. The current default value is OFF, as only Windows support is tested.
  • Sentry will only store at most 1 raw crash dump per report for analysis.
  • Data in Sentry is retained for up to 90 days, and then is deleted.
  • The introduction of Sentry resolves a long-standing desire of the KiCad team to capture crash dumps without user involvement, and the use of Sentry offers us a very easy solution to do it and help make KiCad better for everyone.
  • Throughout the development of KiCad 7, the Sentry tool has already proven its usefulness by allowing the development team to resolve over two dozen crash bugs that were not previously reported by users. We look forward to this feature allowing us to continuously improve KiCad’s reliability over time.
  • PCM Automatic Updates:
  • The Plugin and Content Manager now can automatically check if an updated version of an installed package is available and prompt the user to update. Content. Each time KiCad is launched, the plugin status is automatically queried in the background and displayed
  • Drag & Drop:
  • Drag and drop handles have been added to various parts of KiCad that results in the following actions:
  • KiCad:
  • Dragging a kicad_pro or pro file onto the project manager will open that project.
  • Command Line Interface
  • The separate kicad-cli binary has been implemented to allow scripting of many of the KiCad editor outputs.
  • Schematic and Symbol Editors:
  • Support for a simple rectangle and circle primitives has been added to the schematic and symbol editors to round out the shapes already provided.
  • Orthogonal Dragging:
  • What is orthogonal dragging? In 6.0 and earlier, a drag operation in the Schematic Editor moves symbols while keeping wires attached to the symbol. However, it was a literal form of "attach" and wires would end up at odd angles and directions.
  • Symbol Editor Pin Table Enhancements:
  • The Symbol Editor Pin Table got a number of new features, including the ability to:
  • Filter pins to a unit.
  • Change unit of a pin from the table.
  • Create or remove pins in a group symbol by adding/removing the pin number.
  • Off Grid ERC Warnings:
  • A new ERC check to warn when symbols are placed using an a incompatible grid. A grid mismatch can lead to situations where connections are not truly made and with a cascade of other issues such as pins being passive can lead to scenarios where you end up producing bad PCBs.
  • Wires at 45 Degree Angles:
  • KiCad 6 originally included a single toggle between fixed right-angle wires and "any angle" mode. This change introduces a wire mode for 45 degree start and end to help in drawing crisp schematics.
  • Do No Populate Support:
  • Support has been added for explicitly marking symbols in a schematic as Do Not Populate ("DNP"). The resulting symbols are grayed out in the schematic and marked with a red cross. DNP symbols are excluded from any KiCad-generated placement files.
  • Simulation Model Editor:
  • There is now a simulation model editor. This is a new dialog available as a "Simulation Model" button in the symbol properties of any schematic symbol. It allows configuration of simulation model parameters in a GUI rather than spice text inserted on schematic. The resulting configuration gets passed to the simulator as expected. Everything from configuring a symbol as "standard" spice model (resistors,caps,diodes,bjts) to assigning custom models in libraries (it will even load the library and let you select individual models contained within) is supported. It also allows for customization of the schematic pin to spice model pin mapping.
  • Database Libraries:
  • A long requested feature by many users of KiCad has been the ability to link symbol selection to a database which is common in other schematic CAD tools. KiCad can now add connectivity to external databases via ODBC functionality across KiCad’s three main platforms.
  • The database library system allows creating a centralized database of symbol to footprint associations along with any metadata about your parts that can be shared across your schematics by you and others connected to the same database.
  • More information can be found in the KiCad database libraries documentation.
  • An ongoing forum discussion about the feature shows how some users are starting to make use of databases in their KiCad workflows.
  • Dynamic field columns in symbol chooser:
  • The database libraries support also introduced the ability to display and search custom fields in the symbol chooser.
  • See the number of grouped pins.
  • Dragging a Gerber or Gerber Job file onto the project manager will open the Gerber Viewer with those files.
  • Dragging Eagle and Cadstar files will trigger an import of those files.
  • Schematic Editor
  • Dragging a kicad_sch file onto the editor will append the schematic to the open design.
  • PCB Editor
  • Dragging a kicad_pcb file onto the editor will append the board to the open design.
  • Gerber Viewer
  • Dragging files onto the Gerber Viewer will open them.
  • Drawing Sheet Editor
  • Dragging a kicad_wks file onto the editor will open it.
  • Hyperlinks on Schematics:
  • Hyperlinks are now supported inside schematics. This means a text object on a schematic page can detect if the text is a hyperlink property. Hyperlink text makes the text object become clickable.
  • Supported hyperlinks are:
  • http://
  • https://
  • file://
  • :<pagenumber> (where <pagenumber> is any valid schematic page)
  • PDF Improvements:
  • PDF Bookmarks (Table of Contents):
  • Support has been added for populating the bookmarks section (also known as the Table of Contents) of a PDF viewer with useful information.
  • A schematic PDF generated by the plot action in the schematic editor, will contain bookmarks populated with a list of sheets and links to symbols within the sheet. Clicking on items on the bookmark list will jump to the relevant page and location.
  • Embedded Symbol Information:
  • Support has been added the export of symbol information in schematics to the plotted PDF. This is a list of symbol field data displayed when the symbol is clicked in a PDF viewer. Unfortunately, the functionality required for this to work is implemented per PDF spec but support across PDF viewers is not consistent. Only Adobe PDF Reader/Acrobat are known to display the list correctly.
  • PDF Hyperlinks:
  • Schematic hyperlinks are now embedded into the PDF and interactable.
  • This includes:
  • Hyperlinks between pages.
  • Hyperlinks to external URLs.
  • Sheet symbols link to datasheets.
  • Board and Footprint Editors:
  • PCB Footprint Consistency Checking:
  • A new optional check to determine if your board design has footprints that have deviated from the library they are linked to
  • Ignored DRC Tests Tab:
  • Ignored tests are now listed in their own separate tab.
  • Mechanical Clearance Rules:
  • Two new DRC rule constraints mechanical_clearance and mechanical_hole_clearance have been add to the custom rules that the complement the clearance and hole_clearance constraints.
  • Custom Rule Severities:
  • Custom rule severities can now be defined per custom rule with possible values of ignore, warning, error, and exclusion.
  • Pad to Zone Rules:
  • New custom rule constrains thermal_relief_gap, thermal_spoke_width and zone_connection have been added for rule checking copper connections that get generated between pads and zone fills.
  • Radial Dimensions:
  • Inverse Text Objects in PCB:
  • Text objects can now declare as "Knockout" meaning the text will subtract from a shaded box. This is useful for making more attention grabbing silkscreen.
  • Automatic Zone Filling:
  • There is now a new option that will automatically refill zones when a board change is detected rather than requiring the user to trigger zone fills manually. This is enabled by default to help new users, but may be disabled in case it gets in the way for power users or those working on very large designs.
  • PCB Layout Tool Enhancements:
  • Many ease of use enhancements have been made to the board and footprint editors.
  • Background Bitmaps:
  • A requested feature by users has been the ability to display an image in the background so that PCB traces and footprint layouts can be copied easily from some original reference PCB or footprint being reverse engineered.
  • Unroute Selected:
  • It is now possible completely unroute a footprint.
  • Automatically Complete Trace Route:
  • Traces can now be partially drawn and the board editor can complete the trace the rest of the way to the nearest ratsnest end. It will stop and force you to manually route if it can’t find a route.
  • Attempt to Finish Selection:
  • Related to the trace route completion feature above, selected items can in the board editor can attempt to automatically route traces between them. It will iterate each unrouted part of the item and attempt to connect it to the nearest rats nest.
  • Search Panel:
  • A new panel added to board editor enables typing query strings with wildcard s and filtering out objects on the design while displaying the remaining results in a list. The list can be clicked on to select objects on the editing canvas.
  • Properties Panel:
  • A new properties panel is now available in the board editor.
  • Improved Footprint Spread and Pack & Move Footprint Tool:
  • The algorithm that placed footprints on the PCB was improved to result in a more compact layout.
  • STEP Exporter Changes:
  • The STEP exporter now uses the same PCB parsing engine as the rest of KiCad. This change now brings the addition relative 3d model paths to the footprint. Simply start the paths with the expected ./ or ../ and the 3D viewer and STEP exporter will attempt to find the model relative to the footprint file. This change should allow better portability of footprint libraries and 3d models.
  • The "3D Path Aliases" have been removed from KiCad. These were an independent system from the "Environment Variable" system also used for paths. It had it’s own file format and usage syntax which both introduced unexpected bugs. Unifying the system makes the usage of Environment Variables standard throughout KiCad. "3D Path Aliases" will be automatically migrated to an environment variable on launch. However, the alias may get renamed if the alias had characters beyond uppercase A-Z,0-9 and underscores due to the limitations of environment variables across platforms.

New in KiCad 6.0.11 (Jan 28, 2023)

  • General:
  • Fix PDF plot text dimensions. #12159
  • Ensure 3D model viewer is correctly initialized.
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix ERC crash. #13256
  • Fix crash when importing Eagle schematic. #13215
  • Fix crash when changing language and the simulator window is open. #13349
  • Fix broken graphic import file extension filters for some locales. #13570
  • Fix project rescue when symbol name cases do not match. #13602
  • Enable real time connectivity by default.
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Prevent forward slash character in symbol name from corrupting symbol library. #13504
  • Footprint Editor
  • Do not prune layers when copying items to the clipboard. #13334

New in KiCad 6.0.10 (Jan 6, 2023)

  • General:
  • Resolve embedded text variables.
  • Keep keyboard placement on grid. #13027
  • Clean up autosave file handling edge cases.
  • Schematic Editor:
  • Fix broken legacy schematic file save.
  • Fix broken instance data loading legacy schematics.
  • Fix unconnected bus from hierarchical sheet bug. #12165
  • Prevent mirror of text elements. #13007
  • Fix search for text containing slashes. #12789
  • Add symbol library table mapping for rescue library on project save as. #12503
  • Fix crash when "M" key pressed after clicking on end of unconnected wire. #12936
  • Fix a issues with translated field names.
  • Fix wxWidgets 3.2 assertion when opening symbol field table editor.
  • Fix NC and label logic.
  • Don’t report a pin ERC if the pin is null.
  • Prevent shared schematic UUIDs from changing when importing shared schematics. #11076
  • Symbol Editor:
  • Fix symbol SVG export. #13093
  • PCB Editor:
  • Return to original active layer after routing. #12313
  • Resolve embedded text variables when project file is missing.
  • Fix an issue when importing SVG files using CR+LF as end of line. #10096
  • Fix graphic snapping.
  • Use snap position for segment routability checks.
  • Fix DRC crash when using negative clearance. #12981
  • Fix DRC crash Pcbnew when moving ungroupable item to a group. #13026
  • Allow nested groups.
  • Allow a single net collision with a free pad.
  • Honor zone fill minimum width setting. #12797
  • Fix Z order of zone outline drawing. #12438
  • Restore broken position relative to behavior. #12912
  • Add support for unit-less values to custom rules evaluator. #13016
  • Use correct pad to die lengths in differntial pair length tuner. #12859
  • Fix an incorrect calculation in length tuning tools. 12881
  • Respect the "report all errors" checkbox in DRC.
  • Fix crash when moving empty selection. #13114
  • Footprint Editor:
  • Fix crash when clicking on footprint properties button. #12944
  • Fix crash when attempting to launch dimension tool. #12841
  • Gerber Viewer:
  • Don’t generate error on paths when loading from zip archive.
  • Windows:
  • Fix icon scaling issue. #11880
  • Fix simulator crash due to old ngspice version.

New in KiCad 5.1.10 (May 10, 2021)

  • The KiCad project is proud to announce the latest series 5 stable release. The 5.1.10 stable version contains critical bug fixes and other minor improvements since the previous release.

New in KiCad 5.1.9 (Feb 17, 2021)

  • The KiCad project is proud to announce the latest series 5 stable release. The 5.1.9 stable version contains critical bug fixes and other minor improvements since the previous release. It also includes improved footprint, symbol, and 3D model libraries, translations, and documentation. This release contains several critical bug fixes so please consider upgrading as soon as possible.

New in KiCad 5.1.6 (May 15, 2020)

  • The KiCad project is proud to announce the latest series 5 stable release. The 5.1.6 stable version contains critical bug fixes and other minor improvements since the 5.1.5 release. It also includes improved footprint, symbol, and 3D model libraries, translations, and documentation.
  • This is also the first stable point release made since switching to gitlab for main kicad source code hosting.
  • Version 5.1.6 is made from the 5.1 branch with some cherry picked changes from the development branch.

New in KiCad 5.1.5 (Nov 28, 2019)

  • Contains critical bug fixes and other minor improvements since the 5.1.4 release. It also includes improved footprint, symbol, and 3D model libraries, translations, and documentation.

New in KiCad 5.1.2 (May 2, 2019)

  • The KiCad project is proud to announce the latest series 5 stable release of KiCad. The 5.1.2 stable version contains critical bug fixes and other minor improvements since the 5.1.0 release. It also includes improved footprint, symbol, and 3D model libraries, translations, and documentation. A list of all of the fixed bugs since the 5.1.0 release can be found on the KiCad 5.1.2 milestone page. This release contains several critical bug fixes so please consider upgrading as soon as possible.
  • If you are wondering why there was no "official" 5.1.1 release, there was a serious issue after 5.1.1 was tagged and some users had downloaded the unreleased 5.1.1 builds from the KiCad build server. The only way to prevent install conflicts was to create a new 5.1.2 tag with the bug fix and spin new builds. The KiCad project would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
  • Version 5.1.2 is made from the lp:kicad/5.1 branch with some cherry picked changes from the development branch.
  • Packages for Windows, MacOS, and Linux are available or will be in the very near future. See the KiCad download page for guidance.
  • Thank you to all developers, packagers, librarians, document writers, translators, and everyone else who helped make this release possible.

New in KiCad 5.1.0 (Apr 2, 2019)

  • This is the first ever minor version release of KiCad and was developed primarily to resolve compatibility issues with Linux GTK3 and long awaited support for python3.
  • In addition to the primary focus, there have been many important changes that make this release a substantial improvement over the 5.0 series and a worthwhile upgrade for users on all platforms. Included in the improvements are:
  • Improved 3D model library path configuration.
  • Cairo canvas is now used for printing support on all platforms.
  • Schematic and symbol library editors now use the modern canvases for rendering.
  • Symbol pin table is now editable.
  • Pcbnew scripting support for Python 3 has been added.
  • Snapping for graphical object drawing in board and footprint editors.
  • Significant user interface improvements.
  • Major dialog box improvements.
  • Both the footprint and symbol library editors now share the same user interface paradigm with a library tree view pane.
  • Symbol, footprint, and 3D model library improvements.
  • Documentation and translation improvements.
  • Less pain for Linux package maintainers, now all features should be easy to support.
  • Additionally, files created by KiCad version 5.1 remain 100% compatible with files created by version 5.0.
  • Of course no new stable version of KiCad would be complete without many, many bug fixes so please consider upgrading as soon as possible. This version will be the only supported version of KiCad moving forward. There will be no further releases of the 5.0 series.

New in KiCad 5.0.1 (Mar 22, 2019)

  • The KiCad project is proud to announce the latest series 5 stable release of KiCad. The 5.0.1 stable version contains critical bug fixes and other minor improvements since the 5.0.0 release. It also includes improved footprint, symbol, and 3D model libraries, translations, and documentation. A list of all of the fixed bugs since the 5.0.0 release can be found on the KiCad 5.0.1 milestone page.
  • This release contains several critical bug fixes so please consider upgrading as soon as possible.

New in KiCad 5.0.0 (Jul 23, 2018)

  • Direct import of Eagle projects

New in KiCad 4.0.7 (Aug 29, 2017)

  • Changes related to a reported bug:
  • Fix broken links and add correct links to about dialog
  • Eeschema: highlight the first choice in rescue dialog
  • Eeschema: fix zone properties dialog level setting tooltip
  • Pcbnew: fix segfault when appending a board in GAL mode
  • Remove some useless or incorrect asserts in plot functions
  • Pcbnew: continue loading footprints after first failure
  • Eeschema: don’t apply last line width to text thickness in symbol library editor
  • Pcbnew: add option to plot DXF lines in outline mode
  • Pcbnew: add option to plot DXF editable text
  • Pcbnew: fix crash when dragging a track
  • Fix crash when dragging a track
  • Remove leading/trailing white space error message from field validator
  • Changes without a bug report:
  • Pcbnew: fix bug loading board files written when layers could have numeric names
  • Pcbnew: prevent segfault when outline has no vertices reading P-CAD file
  • Pcbnew: fix tooltip error in copper zones dialog
  • Eeschema: move BOM scripts so they are installed correctly
  • Apply changes from master to GOST page layouts
  • Save text thickness in worksheet editor
  • Fix default line widths for non-mm units in DXF import
  • Better error messages when throwing an I/O error or parse error
  • Cvpcb: fix incorrect assignments when using .equ files and automatic association
  • Fix possible crash and issues when a incorrect fp lib table is loaded
  • Fix crash when writing zip archive file to folder that is not writeable
  • Fix issues in plot functions when used from python scripts

New in KiCad 4.0.6 (Mar 9, 2017)

  • Library changes:
  • You may need to update your footprint library table in pcbnew, because some footprint libraries have been renamed as follows
  • Buttons_Switches_ThroughHole.pretty → Buttons_Switches_THT.pretty
  • Capacitors_ThroughHole.pretty → Capacitors_THT.pretty
  • Connect.pretty → Connectors.pretty
  • Diodes_ThroughHole.pretty → Diodes_THT.pretty
  • Display.pretty → Displays.pretty
  • Relays_ThroughHole.pretty → Relays_THT.pretty
  • Resistors_ThroughHole.pretty → Resistors_THT.pretty
  • Sockets_BNC.pretty → Connectors_TE-Connectivity.pretty
  • Sockets_Mini-Universal.pretty → Connectors_Mini-Universal.pretty
  • Sockets_WAGO734.pretty → Connectors_WAGO.pretty
  • Terminal_Blocks.pretty → Connectors_Terminal_Blocks.pretty
  • Changes related to a reported bug:
  • Pcbnew: fix an issue where path separators are not translated from in Windows to / on Unix.
  • Pcbnew: do not use default board solder mask clearance in footprint editor.
  • Pcbnew: fix a potential incompatibility (due to an old bug) with files which could be created by some recent Pcbnew versions.
  • Eeschema: fix rotate bug in symbol library editor.
  • Changes without a bug report:
  • Replace avhttp with libcurl.
  • Pcbnew: fix a potential bug where a GAL canvas method was called from the legacy canvas.
  • Eeschema: reorder toolbar slightly.

New in KiCad 4.0.5 (Dec 26, 2016)

  • Changes related to a reported bug:
  • KiCad: fix crash when attempting to view ERC log with text editor
  • Pcbnew: fix several auto save file issues
  • Eeschema: fix assertion on delete node hot key while busy
  • Pcbnew: fix drill file naming issue
  • CvPcb: remove broken footprint documentation feature
  • Footprint editor: fix transform for incorrect mirroring of pads (only effects pads with offset)
  • Pcbnew: prevent drawing tracks on non copper layers in GAL canvas
  • Fix crash when BOARD members are changed and PNS is active
  • Fix wrong CSV BOM format using bom2csv.xsl script with custom entries
  • Changes without a bug report:
  • Fixed a crash when drawing a single point polyline
  • Gerbview: make print dialog display graphic layers list on some windows managers like Unity
  • Pcbnew: fix epic footprint editor DXF import fail
  • Fixed a crash when a negative (although invalid) net code occurs in legacy plugin
  • Pcbnew: prevent reversal of pad loading order when loading board
  • Fix incorrect indentation which generates compiler warnings
  • Pcbnew: make polygons strictly simple before fracturing them in zone fill calculations
  • Fix off-by-one in saving bitmaps
  • Pcbnew: fix outdated environment vars settings for KiCad python on Windows
  • Version string improvements

New in KiCad 4.0.4 (Sep 2, 2016)

  • Below is a list of some commits related to a reported bug:
  • Do not allow spaces in component name value field, in component library editor, or in dialogs.
  • Eeschema: fix broken component reference field in hierarchies..
  • Hide OpenGL scrollbars on OS X to fix freeze.
  • Pcbnew: fix a minor bug where the DRC report file is always created.
  • Pcbnew: fixed a crash when dragging a line was interrupted.
  • Some changes without a bug tracking number:
  • FUTURE_FORMAT_ERROR: don’t nest errors unnecessarily.

New in KiCad 4.0.3 (Sep 2, 2016)

  • Below is a list of some commits related to a reported bug:
  • Pcbnew: fix incorrect assertion failure in specctra export when a footprint contains segments on edge.cut layer.
  • Pcbnew: fix bug opening P-CAD ASCII files.
  • Eeschema: fix bug where global bus labels were being ignored.
  • Eeschema: fix segfault in component library editor when adding pins to alternate body style.
  • Pcbnew: fix issues in PCAD import of P-CAD ASCII files.
  • Pcbnew: prevent delete hot key from deleting locked footprints.
  • Pcbnew: more accurate router pushout force calculation for circle-segment collisions in GAL.
  • Fix environment variable initialization issue on Linux.
  • Pcbnew: fix incorrect (too small) bounding box EDA_TEXT, noticeable when chars like j or { are used in zone fill functions.
  • Pcbnew: fix exception when importing pcad pcb with zero size pads.
  • Pcbnew: loading file with footprint on an inner layer causes an assertion.
  • KiCad: fix Preferred Editor dialog.
  • Fix graphics rendering on RTL systems.
  • Eeschema: fix wxFileDialog assertion when importing component.
  • CvPcb: remove footprint library load failure limit.
  • Gerber files: ensure the "level polarity dark" is set in each file avoid issues when paneling files.
  • Pcbnew: fix issues in DRC dialog issues.
  • Eeschema: fix value field editing bug in component library editor.
  • Fix mirrored graphics when moving SCH_BITMAP on OSX.
  • Fix display bug when multiple monitor loses window when switched to single monitor.
  • Pcbnew: fix DRC write report to file crash bug.
  • Fix broken swig import script when using swig 3.0.10.
  • KiCad: fix an issue when the schematic editor or the board editor are run from the project tree frame.
  • Gerbview: fix incorrect handling of G85 command when reading excellon files.
  • Pcbnew: fix crash when loading board files with a missing net section.
  • Pcbnew: fix footprint libraries wizard error when opening personal GitHub accounts.
  • Pcbnew: fix segfault on BOARDs without tracks.
  • Pcbnew: fix dangling board reference crash in GAL.
  • Fix window positioning bug when context menu is open.
  • Polygon: fixed polygon filleting glitch for colinear outline segments.
  • Some changes without a bug tracking number:
  • Various fixes to DXF import.
  • Fix and improve IDF tools.
  • Fix quasi-modal dialog mode in DIALOG_SHIM class.
  • Pcbnew: Highlight a net when cross-probing with Eeschema and highlight net tool is enabled.
  • Added 'Reset Grid Origin' hot key (GAL).
  • Make color names translatable in color selection dialog.
  • Remove front silkscreen default setting for PTH and NPTH pads.

New in KiCad 4.0.2 (Mar 4, 2016)

  • Below is a list of some commits related to a reported bug:
  • Pcbnew: End track twice on GAL
  • Pcbnew: Pos file reference truncation
  • Pcbnew: Fixed segfault in selection tool
  • 3D viewer: fix no solder mask unless there is something on the layer
  • Page layout editor: custom text size not saved when X or Y size value is not default
  • Pcbnew: "Delete All" in the alias list for part library editor causes a segfault
  • Pcbnew: Custom size selection in "Page Settings" in non English languages
  • Pcbnew: Make DRC markers not editable with the standard tools (GAL)
  • Pcbnew: Fix flip hotkey for blocks in legacy
  • Pcbnew: Apply grid offset when board is loaded and respect grid color setting
  • Pcbnew: GAL router replaces similar track on another layer
  • Pcbnew: Ask before rotating/flipping a locked item (GAL)
  • Kicad: Open PDF viewer improvements
  • Pcbnew: Fix VRML export dialog settings having no effect
  • Pcbnew: Flipping a block in pcbnew doesn’t flip inner layers nor their connected microvias
  • Pcbnew: Zone tool: Minimum width is compared against thermal relief spoke, when Pad connection set to "None"
  • Eeschema: Fix segfault when loading malformed libraries
  • Pcbnew: Fix crash on undo pad placement in the footprint editor using GAL canvases
  • Some changes without a bug tracking number:
  • Pcbnew: DRC allow technical?copper pad overlap
  • Pcbnew: Fixed ratsnest for PCBs imported using plugins (GAL)
  • Pcbnew: Properly set keepout flag for new zones (GAL)
  • Pcbnew: Highlight a net when crossprobing with eeschema and highlight net tool is enabled.
  • Eeschema: Set modified flag after "Append Schematic Sheet"

New in KiCad 4.0.1 (Dec 18, 2015)

  • Minor bugfixes:
  • These are related to the default path issue seen on Windows where the KISYMOD and KISYS3DMOD was not set properly. They are now set as environment variables by the installer such that they match your installation directory.
  • In addition to that, a few fixes for the GAL canvas has been applied and a bug fix for the KiCad manager where it could potentially crash.

New in KiCad 4.0.0 (Dec 18, 2015)

  • Major Items:
  • New graphics rendering backend GAL (OpenGL and Cairo) [currently pcbnew only and does not yet support all legacy tools]
  • New s-expression based pcb format (.kicad_pcb)
  • New footprint library format (.pretty folder with .kicad_mod footprints)
  • Updated footprint editor (only usable with GAL renderer)
  • More advanced footprint manager concept called footprint library table (fp-lib-table)
  • Ability to download footprints on the fly from git repositories
  • Official libraries are now stored on github and regularly updated
  • Awesome/Advanced Push and Shove (PnS) router (only usable with GAL renderer)
  • Interactive differential trace routing and tuning
  • Interactive trace length tuning
  • Much more realistic 3D board rendering
  • Intelligent library search with preview in Eeschema
  • Initial Python api for Pcbnew
  • Minor Items:
  • Wording of many dialogs and errors has been improved
  • Some excessive dialogs have been removed
  • New icons for many tools
  • New schematic library browser
  • More intelligent component search in EESchema
  • Component rescue helper to identify when components have changed in EESchema and rescue the old version
  • Undo limit default increased and now configurable
  • Note:
  • Symbols have changed size, been renamed, etc to follow the new KiCad library conventions so you need to take care when working with older schematics if you used the symbols packaged with KiCad.
  • The new pcb format cannot be loaded in older versions of KiCad.