Blog | KiCad EDA

KiCad 6.0.0 Release

Published 2021-12-25

The KiCad project is proud to announce the release of version 6.0.0. This is the first major version release of KiCad since 5.0.0 was released in July of 2018. KiCad binaries are available for download for Windows, MacOS, and Linux or will be in the very near future. See the KiCad download page for guidance. There have been many important changes that make this release a substantial improvement over the 5.

Development Highlight: Third Party Content Improvements

Published 2021-12-04

We are fast approaching the eventual release of 6.0 targeted for very early next year with the tagging of the 6.0 RC 1. Plugin & Content Manager One final new feature that has been snuck in is the new Plugin & Content Manager (PCM) contributed by Andrew Lutsenko in MR #841 The KiCad community has created an array of valuable python tools and libraries over the years. The PCM now provides the greater KiCad audience an easier way to both learn of these tools and install them with more ease.

KiCad's 2021 End of Year Fund Drive

Published 2021-12-02

Looking back on 2021, we at the KiCad Project feel a deep sense of gratitude. What could have been a lost year to the global pandemic and its associated effects (hello, supply chain!) has instead been a year of great progress at KiCad. This is in large measure due to our supportive and engaged community of users. Community Building We were not able to gather in person again this year.

KiCad 5.1.12 Release

Published 2021-11-10

The KiCad project is proud to announce the latest series 5 stable release. The 5.1.12 stable version contains critical bug fixes and other minor improvements since the previous release. If you are wondering why there was no official 5.1.11 stable release, it’s because there was an issue with the 5.1.11 tagged code which some users downloaded before the actual release announcement. This required a fix and a new release tag. The KiCad project would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Avoid links to former kicad domain

Published 2021-10-19

The original KiCad domain name (kicad-pcb.org) was recently sold to an unnamed third party that is not affiliated with the KiCad Project or members of the KiCad Development Team. This sale was unexpected and may pose a risk to KiCad users. The new owners may simply post advertisements or (worst-case scenario) they may host malicious versions of the KiCad software for download. How did this happen? The domain name was originally registered in 2012 by the then project lead Dick Hollenbeck.

AISLER Becomes First Platinum Sponsor

Published 2021-08-20

The KiCad project is excited to announce that AISLER B.V. has become our first platinum sponsor. AISLER has been making monthly donations for many years by sharing a percentage of all orders designed with KiCad as well as allowing their customers to make direct donations to KiCad. Their last twelve monthly donations have exceeded the $15,000 minimum required to become a platinum donor. The KiCad project would like to thank AISLER and their customers who use KiCad to design their boards for their support of the KiCad project.

KiCad 5.1.10 Release

Published 2021-05-03

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.

2020 Year End Funding Drive Results

Published 2021-01-16

On January 15th, 2021 the KiCad 2020 year end funding drive officially ended and it was a resounding success. A total of $14,275 was raised by individual donors which means the full $10,000 match was donated by the KiCad Services Corporation making the total donations for the funding drive $24,275. Thank you to everyone who donated. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will help the project achieve it’s goals of getting the upcoming stable version 6 released as well as kicking off development of version 7 in the new year.

KiCad 5.1.9 Release

Published 2020-12-28

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.

Project Lead Developer Interview on Fedevel Academy

Published 2020-12-17

The KiCad project lead developer was recently interviewed by Robert Feranec of Fedevel Academy about the viability of using KiCad in corporate environments. The discussion includes addressing the concerns of corporate users, feature comparison to proprietary products, the feature set of of the upcoming version 6 release, and the future of KiCad development. If you are considering or are already using KiCad in corporate environment or you are just interested in KiCad development in general, click on the link above to hear all about KiCad development.

Changes 2 Development Highlight 16 Events 2 Media 1 News 26 Release Notes 42 Status Update 2