KiCad 9.0 released with new features, improvements, and bug fixes for advanced EDA tasks

The KiCad development team has released version 9.0 of their open source electronics design automation suite, marking a year since the 8.0 release. This update introduces several new features and improvements, alongside hundreds of bug fixes. Among the key additions is a feature offering predefined job sets for tasks like plotting, exporting, and running DRC on schematics and PCBs.

Version 9.0 now allows embedding various elements directly into schematics, PCB layouts, footprints, and symbols, eliminating the need for external file links. A Bézier curve creation tool has been added to both the schematic and PCB editors. The update also supports multi-channel design creation and introduces a component class feature for grouping symbols and footprints to apply specific design rules.

Additionally, tables can now be integrated into schematic, symbol library, and footprint library editors, matching the capabilities of the PCB editor. The update also includes a feature for generating ERC/DRC errors and warnings from text boxes and fields, and a scroll action feature in various editors. The release expands libraries with new symbols, footprints, and models, and includes numerous enhancements to the schematic, symbol, PCB, and footprint editors.