The 1.5 editor keeps tool navigation, physical settings, target layers and a live vector preview together. These screenshots show candidate 1.5.20. Start with Labels → Standard and learn one tool before exploring the other workspaces.
Read the window from top to bottom
Find your way around the editor
Choose a workspace
Start in Labels; Graphics, Codes, Board Tools and Project Data have different jobs.
Output layers
Checked layers receive artwork. This is separate from the preview layer.
Load a profile
Reuse saved settings without replacing the board footprint.
Fit the preview
Fit, minus and plus change your view, not physical board dimensions.
Place artwork
Validate the preview, then place the new item in PCB Editor. Existing items use an update action.
- Header — Version, Settings, and Need help?
- Main family tabs — Labels, Graphics, Codes, Board Tools and Project Data
- Tool tabs — Standard, Connector Overlay, Component Callout, Component Array and Variables under Labels; Imported Graphic under Graphics; QR Code/Barcode under Codes; Cleanup/Designators under Board Tools
- Profile bar — The active profile, Load…, Save… and profile help
- Place artwork on — One or more target layers that will receive geometry
- Left section navigation — Basics, Container, Typography and tool-specific advanced controls
- Live preview — Generated artwork for the selected preview layer
- Footer — Validation/status feedback, Cancel and Place/Update action
Switching a tool changes the form to that artwork type. A saved profile belongs to a tool/module; it is not a replacement for a placed footprint. See profiles for saving a repeatable style.
Work with the preview
- Use Fit after a substantial content or size change to bring the complete item into view.
- Use + and − to inspect fine detail. Preview navigation changes your view, not the artwork's physical dimensions.
- Inspect every enabled Preview layer, especially when both front and back targets are enabled.
- Dashed guides indicate editing or clearance information. Compare the finished board output to distinguish guides from generated material.
- If the preview reports an error, correct the source value before placing. An older visible drawing is not proof that your latest input is valid.
Bottom-layer previews are shown as a front-view mirror. Check the final board from the correct side in KiCad's 3D Viewer before deciding that a back label needs to be manually mirrored.
Measurements and units
Open Settings → General → Measurement display to switch between Millimetres (mm) and Mils (mil). One mil is 0.001 inch, or 0.0254 mm. Changing display units preserves physical geometry; internal dimensions remain in millimetres.
Read the unit next to a field before entering a value. A text height, header pitch, container padding and barcode module width all describe different dimensions. The settings reference explains those distinctions.
Keyboard and placement
- Place the current valid artwork — Place artwork
- Keyboard placement — Ctrl + Enter or Shift + Enter
- Close without applying the current form — Cancel
- Reopen saved artwork — Select one Kobee footprint in KiCad, then launch the plugin
- Restore a useful preview framing — Fit
The action may be labelled for an update when you are editing an existing item. After creating new artwork, finish placement in PCB Editor. Save the board there; a preview is not a saved board change.
Appearance and window size
Settings → General → Appearance offers Follow system, Light and Dark. Appearance changes apply when the editor is next opened. Close and reopen the editor to compare themes consistently.
The left settings region can scroll independently of the preview. If a control appears missing, check the selected section and scroll the form before enlarging the window. On compact displays, finish one section at a time rather than trying to expose every control at once.
Where Help goes
The Need help? button opens this Kobee Studio manual. The header displays the running version; use that version when reporting a mismatch with a screenshot. Support and feedback includes the project, privacy and licence links.