Install instructions.md

Install instructions

1. Copy the files locally

Copy the RP-Pico Libraries folder wherever you like on your computer.

2. Install the Raspberry Pi Pico board schema symbol

Use the KiCad | Preferences | Manage Symbol Libraries... command to manage the symbol library:

then select the global tab and click on the folder button:

navigate to the RP-Pico Libraries folder, select the MCU_RaspberryPi_and_Boards.kicad_sym file and open it:

et voilà, the first step is completed:

You can now close the symbol libraries manager window.

3. Install the Raspberry Pi Pico board footprint

You can use a similar approach to add the footprint to the footprint libraries manager, but I've found some issues that I've solved using the footprint editor, so here are the steps I suggest you to follow:

Open the footprint editor

wait for the footprints to load... then use the File | Add Library command:

confirm the Global choice:

and select the MCU_RaspberriPi_and_Boards.pretty folder (yes, the folder represent a footprint library on KiCad):

Now the library is installed on KiCad with the Raspberry Pi Pico footprint (double click on it to see it on the editor pane):

Don't close the windows as the next step start from here.

4. Install the Raspberry Pi Pico board footprint 3D visual

If not already open, open the the footprint editor

double click on the RPi_Pico_SMD_TH footprint from the MCU_RaspberriPi_and_Boards library and then click on the Footprint properties icon:

In the footprint properties window, first select the 3D Settings tab. Please note that the preview shows only the PCB board with the footprint added on step 3, without any 3D representation of the Raspberry Pi Pico board. Now click on the folder icon to add the 3D model:

Navigate to the RP-Pico Libraries folder, select the Pico.wrl file and wait until the model is shown in the right panel, then confirm with OK:

The model is already scaled and translated to match the footprint:

now close the Footprint Properties window, and the Footprint Editor, obviously saving the changes.

Conclusion

Now that you've installed the schema and footprint and added the 3D model to the footprint, you can use the Raspberry Pi Pico board on your KiCad projects.

I've also added a test KiCad Project on the Test folder, that you can use to see an example of it.

Have fun!