Streamline Your Keyboard Design with KiCad-Kbplacer: A Comprehensive Review [UPDATE]

21 Jun, 2023

KiCad is a popular open-source software suite for electronic design automation (EDA). It is widely used by hobbyists, engineers, and researchers to design and develop electronic circuits. One of the key features of KiCad is its support for custom keyboard design.

However, placing the key switches on a PCB can be a tedious and time-consuming task. That's where KiCad-Kbplacer comes in - a plugin for KiCad that automates the placement of keyboard switches.

In this review, we'll take a closer look at KiCad-Kbplacer and evaluate its features, benefits, and limitations.

Features:

KiCad-Kbplacer is a Python-based plugin for KiCad that automates the placement of keyboard switches. The plugin supports various layouts, including ANSI, ISO, and HHKB. It can generate a PCB layout with a few clicks, saving hours of manual labor.

KiCad-Kbplacer is easy to install and use. The plugin comes with a user-friendly interface that allows users to customize the layout and switch placement. The plugin supports various types of switches, including Cherry MX, Kailh, and Alps.

Benefits:

KiCad-Kbplacer offers several benefits to users. Firstly, it saves time and effort by automating the placement of keyboard switches. This allows users to focus on other aspects of the design, such as routing and layout.

Secondly, KiCad-Kbplacer ensures accuracy and consistency in switch placement. This is crucial for keyboard design, where small variations in switch placement can affect the typing experience. With KiCad-Kbplacer, users can be sure that their keyboard will work as intended.

Thirdly, KiCad-Kbplacer supports various layouts, including ANSI, ISO, and HHKB. This allows users to design custom keyboards that meet their specific needs.

Limitations:

KiCad-Kbplacer has some limitations that users should be aware of. Firstly, the plugin requires Python to be installed on the system. This may be a barrier for some users who are not familiar with Python.

Secondly, KiCad-Kbplacer is not suitable for complex layouts or non-standard switch placements. Users may need to manually adjust the layout in these cases.

Finally, KiCad-Kbplacer is not a standalone software. It requires KiCad to be installed on the system.

Conclusion:

KiCad-Kbplacer is a useful plugin for KiCad that automates the placement of keyboard switches. It offers several benefits, including time savings, accuracy, and layout customization.

However, it has some limitations, such as requiring Python and not being suitable for complex layouts. Overall, KiCad-Kbplacer is a useful tool for keyboard design, and we recommend it to KiCad users who want to streamline their workflow.

Download and install the plugin via the link below:

Keyboard Design with KiCad-Kbplacer

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UPDATE: 21 - 06 - 2023

Release v0.5

Main changes: