Make A Custom Symbol And Footprint In KiCad (Easily!)

In this video, you can follow along and learn how to make a custom circuit symbol to make your own circuit schematics and custom component footprints to make your own PCBs!

0:00 Intro
0:38 Measurements and pins
6:05 Schematic symbol making
11:34 Footprint making

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[basknippels]

With this particular buck converter you do not want to use holes at all. It is kinda tricky to stuff pins between the converter and your own pcb. It is much more easier to solder the buck converter directly on pads on your own pcb, SMD style. This also gives you some space to place more SMD things on the other side. I typically use this buckconverter (the version without that cursed potentiometer) as a sort 'backpack'. I always place it on the bottom side of the board. Just my 2 cents. Furthermore: Nice vid!

[Piccodon]

Signal flow is normally left to right, not up and down.
The pencil sketch is OK but can be done in CAD.
Pin numbering sequence in example is arbitrary and is never used as in this example.
Use Manufacturer's part numbers for unique parts, not a generic name like in this example.
Center-point of of part is EXTREMELY important, as it is used by machine placing. (Not the "module" in this example). For symbols not so critical, but does not hurt.
Grid alignment for Symbols is VERY important, as else it could mess up a schematic. TURN ON grids to 0.1" in schematic for correct pin spacing, text not important for this.
Making the Footprint turn on the grid, decrease grid resolution until you find the center point on the drawing. Everything in he foot print is referenced from the CENTER not corners like the mechanical engineers.
Start with making a document layer outline of the part for error proofing.
Read the mfg. data sheet for the part, usually at the end of the document. Use whatever measurement units are used in the document. Center point most often has to be calculated as most data sheet are crap. All pad locations are referenced +-XY from the center. If pad boundaries are in the data sheet they can be drawn in a document layer for the footprint for error checking.
Beware of "standard" foot prints. Very often small deviation between manufacturers can make you a bad day. Many foot prints also have several similar looking names, some four or five for the exact same foot print.
Use IPC standard for silkscreen *Pin1* orientation marks, and make sure orientation marks can be easily read after the part is placed and not covering it up. This may mean editing every foot print in your libraries, as many foot print designers seem to lack practical experience.
The library part, (called "Device" in other programs) also need a B.O.M reference, Vendor, Part Number, Price, and Hyperlink. This takes time, but saves massive amount of time putting a BOM together.

I'm not a KiCAD expert