You can try to find existing footprints for components, but most components will require custom footprints.

If you are not able to find an existing footprint for a component, then you will need to make a custom footprint. In order to make a custom footprint, you will need a datasheet for the component that includes mechanical dimensions of the component and footprint.

The process for creating a footprint is as follows:

Create a custom padstack for the component. A padstack is a design for the exposed copper surface area for each hole or pad on the board where the component is mounted and soldered.

Create a custom footprint for the component. There are two ways to do this:

1. Creating a custom footprint using Package Designer - useful for symmetric ICs (e.g., microcontrollers). Does not work well for parts that have mechanical or thermal pads or non-symmetric packages (e.g., voltage regulators or MOSFETs)
2. Creating a custom footprint manually / creating a custom SMD footprint manually

Update the library search path in Design Entry CIS

Update the library search path in PCB Editor

Figure 1: Video walkthrough of creating a custom footprint (by Ryan Sparks, 2020)