Online PCB viewers, ranked · Guide

Viewing a KiCad project online

Upload the whole KiCad project folder, not just the .kicad_pcb, with its 3D models inside the project. BoardRepo opens the schematic, PCB, 3D view and BOM together and keeps versions; KiCanvas is a quick open-source look at KiCad 6+ schematics and boards. Edits still happen in desktop KiCad.

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Before you upload: get the project ready

  1. Save in a current KiCad versionKiCad 6 changed the file formats. KiCanvas reads only KiCad 6 and later, and other viewers are most reliable on recent files. Open a KiCad 5 project in a current KiCad and save it to upgrade it.
  2. Fill the copper zonesIn the PCB editor, fill all zones (Edit → Fill All Zones, or press B) and save. A viewer draws what is saved in the file; unfilled zones show as outlines.
  3. Bring the 3D models into the projectFootprints point to 3D models by path. Models in KiCad's own library folder are on your machine, not in your upload. Copy the ones you need into a folder in the project and point footprints at them with ${KIPRJMOD}, KiCad's variable for the project folder.
  4. Fill in the fields the BOM needsA BOM is built from symbol fields. Give each symbol a value, a footprint and, if your reviewers need to buy parts, a manufacturer part number field. Mark parts that are not fitted as DNP (KiCad 7 and later).
  5. Zip the folderInclude the .kicad_pro, every .kicad_sch sheet (hierarchical sheets are separate files), the .kicad_pcb, the project's sym-lib-table and fp-lib-table if it has its own libraries, and the 3D model folder. Leave out backups and generated output.

The schematic

Since KiCad 6, a schematic file carries copies of the symbols it uses, so a schematic renders without your symbol libraries. What you need is every sheet: a hierarchical design is one root sheet plus one file per sub-sheet.

  • In BoardRepo, open the board and choose the Schematic view.
  • In KiCanvas, open the project's files at kicanvas.org; it is early alpha, so if a sheet looks wrong, compare with KiCad before you report it.

The PCB

The board view shows copper, silkscreen, mask, courtyard and the outline (Edge.Cuts). Turn layers on one at a time when you review: inner copper layers and the back side are where problems hide.

If the board has no outline, or a layer is empty that should not be, see the checklist.

The 3D view

A 3D view is only as complete as the models you uploaded. Bare pads where a part should be means the model was not found: the path points somewhere outside your upload. STEP models are the common exchange format; KiCad also uses WRL models for rendering.

BoardRepo shows a 3D view in the browser. KiCanvas has none. If 3D matters for the review (a mechanical fit, an enclosure check), say which parts have real models and which are placeholders.

The BOM

BoardRepo lists parts grouped by type, with references, values and footprints, next to the schematic and PCB. If you only need to hand over an assembly guide, the open-source Interactive HTML BOM plugin for KiCad writes a single HTML file you can send instead.

Versions and review

A link to one upload answers "what does it look like?". A review asks "what changed?". If your board goes through revisions, keep each one as a saved version and compare them: BoardRepo keeps versions with a visual comparison between them, and you continue the design in desktop KiCad between versions.

When to keep working in desktop KiCad

Online viewers are for reading. Go back to desktop KiCad for anything that changes the design or what the fab receives:

  • Any edit to the schematic, layout or footprints
  • Electrical rules check (ERC) and design rules check (DRC)
  • Refilling zones after changes
  • Generating Gerbers, drill files, position files and the final BOM for the fab
  • Simulation and anything that needs your local libraries