Chapter 5. Forward annotation in KiCad

    1. Let’s suppose that you want to replace a hypothetical connector CON1 with CON2.
    2. You already have a completed schematic and a fully routed PCB.
    3. From KiCad, start Eeschema, make your modifications by deleting CON1 and adding CON2. Save your schematic project with the icon and c lick on the Netlist generation icon netlist_png on the top toolbar.
    4. Now assign a footprint to CON2. Click on the Run Cvpcb icon on the top toolbar. Assign the footprint to the new device CON2. The rest of the components still have the previous footprints assigned to them. Close Cvpcb.
    5. Back in the schematic editor, save the project by clicking on File → Save Whole Schematic Project. Close the schematic editor.
    6. From the KiCad project manager, click on the Pcbnew icon. The Pcbnew window will open.
    7. Click on the Browse Netlist Files button, select the netlist file in the file selection dialogue, and click on Read Current Netlist. Then click the Close button.
    8. At this point you should be able to see a layout with all previous components already routed. On the top left corner you should see all unrouted components, in our case the CON2. Select CON2 with the mouse. Move the component to the middle of the board.
    9. Place CON2 and route it. Once done, save and proceed with the Gerber file generation as usual.