Nicolò Carandini’s free KiCad-RP-Pico library supplies a Raspberry Pi Pico symbol, PCB footprint and 3D model for projects that use the Pico as a module on a custom board. Its Pico.wrl file is a VRML visual model made in SketchUp from the Pico datasheet’s mechanical specification. To use it, add the supplied symbol and footprint libraries to KiCad, then assign the model to the RPi_Pico_SMD_TH footprint.
What the KiCad-RP-Pico package includes
The repository provides a schematic symbol, PCB footprint, SketchUp source model, exported Pico.wrl file, installation instructions, a test project and a license. Its author says the symbol and footprint began with files from the HeadBoffin RP_Silicon_KiCad project; he added the visual model using the Raspberry Pi Pico datasheet’s mechanical specification. The package is intended to show the physical Pico board in KiCad’s 3D view when the board is used on a custom PCB.
The VRML model includes the Pico’s castellated pins, making the board’s module-style surface-mount placement visible in the preview. Hackster describes use cases including a standalone Pico, breadboard use and soldering the module to another board, but the model’s central purpose in KiCad is visualizing the board as part of a PCB design.
How to install the Pico symbol, footprint and 3D model
Follow the repository’s installation instructions. The process adds the package’s symbol and footprint libraries, then assigns the VRML file to the supplied footprint.
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- The Raspberry Pi Pico is a beginner-friendly microcontroller board that uses MicroPython to give you a taste of the Internet of Things and microcontrollers. The RP2040 is a well-designed microprocessor that can be utilized in almost any Internet of Things project. It has enough power to complete the task quickly.
- 【Raspberry Pi RP2040 Microcontroller】Raspberry Pi Pico features Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz. With 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory.Supports up to 16 MB of off chip flash memory via a dedicated QSPI bus
- 【Multiple Software Support】Pico has rich and complete software support, it comes with a complete Rasberry Pi official C/C++ SDK, Micropython SDK.The programming and burning of Pico need to be carried out on the computer. Supported operating systems and computers include:Raspberry Pie with Raspberry Pi OS,Other platforms equipped with Debian based Linux system Computer with MacOS, Computers with Windows, etc.
- 【Rich Hardware Interface】Raspberry Pi Pico has 30 GPIO pins, 4 pins for analog signal input and 26 × multi-function GPIO pins, 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.USB 1.1 supported by host and device, The installation mode can be flexibly selected by users to facilitate welding with other development boards.
- 【Build Project in Tiny Size】Only 2.1cm*5.1cm ( as small as your thumb). Pico has been designed to use either soldered 0.1" pin-headers or can be used as a surface-mountable 'module'.
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Copy the repository’s
RP-Pico Librariesfolder to a location on your computer where you want to keep the library. -
In KiCad’s Symbol Libraries manager, add
MCU_RaspberryPi_and_Boards.kicad_symas a global symbol library.Rank #2
Freenove Raspberry Pi Pico Board Pre-Soldered Header, Dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ Microcontroller, Development Board, Python C Java Code, Tutorial Example Projects- Raspberry Pi Pico: A tiny, fast, and versatile board built using dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor (Comes with pinout card and stickers)
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step guide with MicroPython, C and Processing (Java) Code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Example Projects: Each project has schematics, wiring diagrams, complete code and detailed explanations (Need extra items)
- Easy to Use: Just connect the board to your computer (installed IDE) with the USB cable to program it
- Get Support: Our technical support team is always ready to answer your questions
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Open the Footprint Editor and add the
MCU_RaspberriPi_and_Boards.prettyfolder as a global footprint library. -
Open the
RPi_Pico_SMD_THfootprint, then choose Footprint Properties > 3D Settings.Recommended Free Tools
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Rank #3
Freenove Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W Board Pre-Soldered Header, Dual Arm Cortex-M33 and Dual Hazard3 RISC-V Microcontroller, Development Board, Tutorial Example Projects- Latest Version: Higher core clock speed, double memory, more powerful Arm cores, optional RISC-V cores (compared to the 1 series) (This W version has onboard wireless LAN and Bluetooth)
- Switchable Cores: Allows users to choose between dual industry-standard Arm Cortex-M33 cores and dual open-hardware Hazard3 cores
- Compatibility: Delivers a significant performance boost, while retaining software- and hardware-compatible with the 1 series
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step guide with MicroPython, C and Processing (Java) Code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Example Projects: Each project has schematics, wiring diagrams, complete code and detailed explanations (Need extra items)
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Select
Pico.wrlas the 3D model and save the footprint. The repository’s instructions state that the model is already scaled and translated to match the footprint. -
Open the included KiCad project in the repository’s
Testfolder to check the setup.Rank #4
Treedix Breakout Board for PI PICO Flexible PCB Shield Board- This breakout board is specially made for Raspberry Pi Pico, with additional pin headers, which are fully compatible with the board
- The product needs to be soldered by itself, and the pico can be inserted after successful welding
- The breakout board is gold-plated on both sides and holes are plated, and the material of the PCB board is excellent
- The breakout board is equipped with Raspberry Pi pico, which is convenient for users to develop and integrate flexibly
- Note: The package does not include Raspberry Pi pico. This product needs to be soldered and assembled by yourself
Why the model may take a while to appear
Carandini reports that on his old laptop the model took about 30 seconds to display the first time and about 3 seconds to reopen. These are the creator’s anecdotal timings, not a controlled benchmark, so loading time may differ on other computers. He recommends disabling the visual while working and enabling it when a rendered 3D representation is needed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the Pico model was made
Carandini says he created the model in SketchUp using the mechanical specification in the Raspberry Pi Pico datasheet, then used SketchUp’s native export function to produce Pico.wrl without a plugin. KiCad uses VRML as a format for 3D footprint representations. The repository describes the result as based on the board’s mechanical specification, but the available sources do not provide a controlled accuracy comparison against other Pico models.
Best Value
- RPi Pico 2 W Microcontroller Board (pre-soldered header (color-coded)), Based on Official RP2350 Chip, Dual-core & Dual-architecture Design. Upgraded hardware from Pico 2 with wireless communication, onboard antenna, features 2.4GHz 802.11n WIFI and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Adopts unique dual-core and dual-architecture design: dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 processor and dual-core Hazard3 RISC-V processor, flexible clock running up to 150 MHz.
- Onboard Infineon CYW43439 wireless chip, supports WIFI 4 wireless and Bluetooth 5.2.
- 520KB of SRAM, and 4MB of on-board Flash memory.
- Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards. USB 1.1 with device and host support. Low-power sleep and dormant modes. Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB.
License and choosing another Pico library
The repository says the files are free to use and points to the TPCWare KiCad Library License. Review the license in the repository before redistributing, modifying or using the files commercially; the repository page is the source for its current terms. If you compare this package with another Pico library, check whether it includes both symbol and footprint files, what 3D format it uses, how the model aligns with the footprint and represents the pins, how it is installed, what its license permits, and whether it is maintained. The sources do not establish a benchmark, adoption figure or comparative accuracy result for competing libraries.
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