Guide / On the schematic
Board layout
Add the PCB layout, and find any part from the schematic on the physical board.
Add the board
- Open the schematic's menu (its file name at the top) and choose Add board layout….
- Pick the layout file: a KiCad board (.kicad_pcb), an IPC-2581 or ODB++ export, or Gerbers with a pick-and-place file (in one .zip).
- Cirkit reads where every part sits. Each schematic has its own board.
Tips
- From Altium, Xpedition or PADS, export IPC-2581 or ODB++ (or Gerbers with pick-and-place).
- The same menu has Replace board layout…, Download board file and Remove board….
- On the Free plan you can add 2 board layouts; Pro has no limit.
Find a part on the board
- Hover a designator on the schematic: if its part is on the board, it's outlined and the pointer becomes a hand. Click it: the board opens beside the schematic with that part outlined, and its details in a card.
- From a part's details, Show on board does the same.
- With the board open, click any designator on the schematic to jump to that part.
Tip
- A part with BOM details shows them in the card; Open full details opens its annotation.
Use the board pane
- Drag to pan and scroll (or pinch) to zoom; Fit shows the whole board.
- Switch between Top and Bottom; the bottom is shown as seen through the board.
- Search with Find a part (e.g. R134), or click a footprint for its details.
- Open the board in its own window to keep it on another screen; put it back beside the schematic from there.
- The board button in the toolbar shows or hides the pane.
Tip
- On a phone, the board opens in a sheet from the bottom, and the part's card starts folded so the board stays in view: tap Details to open it.
Something unclear or missing? Tell us.