Setup the New KiCad Project

Before reading further, you can watch the companion video that demonstrates each of the setup steps described here. In it, I show how to configure KiCad, import symbol and footprint libraries, and prepare the project directory for your LattePanda Mu Carrier design.

Introduction

This guide explains how to set up a new KiCad project to begin designing a custom LattePanda Mu Carrier board. You will learn how to create a clean and organized project structure, import symbol and footprint libraries, and configure basic schematic settings.

There are two approaches you can take to begin this project. The fast method involves copying the LattePanda Mu Carrier reference design and using it as a base. The manual method involves creating a new KiCad project and importing only the necessary libraries and resources.

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Although the first method saves time, the second offers a much deeper learning experience because it allows you to understand every part of the setup and the reasoning behind each decision. In this guide, we will use the manual method.

Option 1: Quick Setup Using the Reference Design

The fastest way to begin is to download the LattePanda Mu Carrier reference design from GitHub. You can also find a link to these design files on the DFRobot LattePanda Mu product page.

Once you have downloaded and extracted the repository, you will find a folder structure that includes:

• Electrical design files containing the Lite and Full Carrier boards.
• A schematic symbol library (.kicad_sym).
• A footprint library directory (.pretty).

To use this method, you can simply copy the Lite Carrier project into your working directory, open it in KiCad, and begin modifying it. For example, if you don’t plan to include the PCIe interface, you can open the schematic, select that section, and mark it as Do Not Populate. You can then delete the PCB layout and start fresh with your own version.

This approach works well if your goal is rapid prototyping, but it skips the important setup and configuration steps that help you understand KiCad’s library and project management system.

Option 2: Manual Setup for Learning and Control

To follow the professional approach, create a new empty project. From KiCad’s main window, select File → New Project, and name it.

Save it inside your preferred working directory. Within this project folder, create a subdirectory named Libraries, where you will store the symbol and footprint files you’ll import shortly. You may also add a Datasheets folder for component documentation and a Documentation folder for project notes and references.

Importing Libraries

The LattePanda Mu Carrier reference design provides two types of libraries you will need:

1. A symbol library file (e.g., KiCad.kicad_sym)
2. A footprint library directory (e.g., LattePanda.pretty)

Copy both of these into your project’s Libraries folder. Then open KiCad and go to Preferences → Manage Symbol Libraries.

You can add libraries in two ways:

• Global libraries are shared across all projects.
• Project-specific libraries are loaded only for the current project.

For this design, use project-specific libraries to keep your KiCad environment clean and avoid conflicts with other projects.

In the Symbol Library Manager, click Add, navigate to your project’s Libraries directory, and select the .kicad_sym file. After adding it, click OK to close the dialog. To verify, open the Schematic Editor, press the A key to add a component, and search for “LattePanda.” You should see symbols such as MCU_Module_LattePanda_Mu listed.

Repeat the process for footprint libraries under Preferences → Manage Footprint Libraries, selecting the .pretty folders you copied earlier. Once imported, open the PCB Editor and confirm that components load properly when you add footprints.

Example Project Directory Structure

Your working directory should now look like this:

This structure keeps your design files organized, simplifies backups, and makes it easy to share or archive your work.

Configuring KiCad Preferences

Before you begin schematic capture, check KiCad’s basic settings. From the main menu, open Preferences → Preferences, and review the Schematic Editor → Grid and Units options.

Set the grid size to 1.27 mm, which aligns conveniently with most symbol pin spacing. Confirm that the unit system is set to millimeters, which is the standard in most modern board designs.

These settings make component placement and alignment predictable and ensure consistency with the layout stage.

Verifying the Setup

At this point, you should have:

• A project folder containing your main KiCad files.
• Symbol and footprint libraries imported successfully.
• The schematic and PCB editors configured for consistent units and grid size.

Open the schematic editor and try adding a symbol to confirm your libraries are working. Then open the PCB editor and verify that footprints are available. Once confirmed, your project is fully ready for schematic creation.

Conclusion

You have now set up a clean, professional KiCad project environment for designing the LattePanda Mu Carrier. By organizing your directories, importing project-specific libraries, and configuring schematic preferences, you have built the foundation for all future work in this project.

In the next guide, we will continue with the schematic setup, where you will learn how to configure sheets, define hierarchy, and prepare for component placement.

Ready for the next tutorial in this series? Here's the next one, or choose an alternative from the list of articles in the side bar. There's also lots of interesting article in our Blog. where you can read about off-grid communication technologies, electronics test equipment, course updates, and much more.