hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
KiCad 5.99 trace length tuning - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mario87
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2021, 06:54:15 pm
content: Hi all,Already asked on the KiCad forums but got no response, so hoping someone here can help. I am Pretty new to KiCad, but have used other EDA tools previously. First time I am using KiCad to tune trace length. Had it set to tune each track to 12mm and it appeared to work fine, but the strange thing is if I click on the “tuned” traces with the tool after I set the length required, it then tells me the trace is longer or shorter than specified.Example in the attached image, this trace was set to 12mm give or take a about 0.05mm but now it is “Too Long” and 0.8mm out of spec.What is going on here? Is it me, or just a bug in 5.99? Full version I am using is: (5.99.0-11663-g8172737d6f), release build.Thanks

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2021, 07:42:55 pm
content: With the rather fine wiggles in a relatively thick trace it is not that obvious on how to define the actual lenght. There may be different methods used to calculate the length and 1 or both may be wrong.

author: Mario87
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2021, 09:14:39 am
content: True, but I do suspect there is a bit of a bug in KiCad and the reason I say that is sometimes when I had the straight traces (before tuning the length) it would show as being 16mm long, but if I deleted the trace then made an identical new one it would magically become 10.2mm long and I could then do proper tuning of the trace length.Think I will just use it as-is and hope for the best, it's just an expansion board for my FPGA dev board, so not an issue to re-spin if I need to, but I do hope KiCad fix this issue. Might actually download the latest nightly build and see if it's any better as this one is a couple of months old now I believe.

author: golden_labels
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2021, 11:06:42 am
content: I am still on the stable release (5.1.10), but if they work the same: KiCad is producing the pattern according to constraints set in track’s properties. Those constraints limit the solutions space. Some lengths may be impossible to achieve with the given restrictions.You may adjust various parameters on the fly while drawing wiggles by pressing keys 1 to 4.I concur that with tracks that thick and wiggles that tiny the length is hard to define. Unless this is an RF circuit, of which I do not know enough to comment, some portions of those tracks are acting more like variations in track width than length increase.
Ngspice command text in Eeschema  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: abdulbadii
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 11:17:10 am
content: How do we put an ngspice command text in Eeschema ?tried to place label got error kinda : label validation failHelp, thanks before.

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2021, 03:52:06 pm
content: Not a label..Use the "TEXT" button on your lower side right toolbar ..Insert anything like .tran statements or complete modelsThe text will be parsedPaul
Unable to Install KiCad. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: asperised
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2020, 11:29:01 am
content: Hello!I'm not sure this is the right place to ask this question but I'll give it a shot anyway.So, I've been trying to install KiCad for sometime and have not been able to install it due to an error. Everytime I try to install it it says "Kicad is currently running, Please close the application before installing" (I've attached the screenshot for reference). If I don't have it installed how can it be running? I've checked task manager while the installation process is going on and it doesn't show up. I've restarted the system and the error still showed.It's really frustrating, it would be great if you guys could help me out since I know this is not a technical question.

author: greenpossum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2020, 12:18:08 pm
content: I wonder if it really means that Windows thinks the *installer* process is running when it's not. Can you delete the installer program from your system then reboot then put the installer back and retry? Also do a search for program already running questions on the Internet. Disclaimer: I don't use Windows often.

author: asperised
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2020, 01:21:21 pm
content: Thank you, deleting and redownloading the installation files seemed to do the trick.Now I just feel stupid for not thinking of that earlier.

author: SimpleOne
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2021, 09:33:13 am
content: Just an FYI to anyone that stumbles across this:Make sure you didn't save the installer as: kicad.exeIf you have, rename it, and then the install will proceed okay.
Pinion - tool to create nice-looking pinout diagrams - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: yaqwsx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2021, 06:33:34 am
content: Hello guys,recently, I released another tool for KiCAD - Pinion (https://github.com/yaqwsx/Pinion). It allows you to easily create nice-looking pinout diagrams for your products.See live demoI think you might find it useful.

author: cruff
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2021, 10:53:57 pm
content: Very nice. An interactive diagram with pins labeled with mouse hover annotations. All the pins on the same net light up when the mouse hovers over any one of them.

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2021, 10:17:41 am
content: This looks really nice. Thanks a lot for sharing this with us.Skvělá práce

author: oftenfail
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 04, 2021, 04:32:06 pm
content: Fantastic, it helps a lot!
Convert pcb from gEDA to kicad format - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sink
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2021, 11:03:36 pm
content: Hi everyone,Is there some plugin that will allow me to convert pcb designed in gEDA to kicad pcb project? I was looking for it for some time but I can't find it nowhere.ThanksSiNK

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2021, 01:22:24 am
content: Create a set of gerber files, then start Kicad and use its Gerbview to export them into a .pcb project.A lot of information is missing from gerber files, but it's a lot better then nothing.With this method you get:* PCB outline & locations of mounting holes.* All copper tracks.* Footprint locations (you can place new footprints on the ends of the existing tracks).* Netlist (This is implicitly created when you put new footprints on the existing tracks).You have to manually re-create the schematic (And footprint association). I once did this for a test and I made a few mistakes in the re-creation of the schematic, and those were caught because the schematic did not match up with the PCB, and DRC in Pcbnew told me where the errors were.
design check in Kicad - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wawavoun
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2021, 05:03:21 pm
content: Hello there !I start to learn Kicad since one week and I have discover a very very good tool !It is perfectly usable after a very short reading of a tutorial. So I like them !Now my question :I frequently use ic's with logic gates (74LS etc...).In the schematicsis there a way to check if some ic's are not powered (for example if I forgot the E part of a 74ls00) ?Is there a way to know if some parts of some ic's are not in use (and then sometime inputs need to be grounded) ?If have made tests and the 'standard check' in schematics is not watchful about that...At the moment I check that in pcbnew but it is not very comfortable and it is unsure...Many thanks, regards.Philippe

author: retiredfeline
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2021, 10:03:52 pm
content: If you do an ERC in eeschema it should complain if the power pin is not driven. This is providing the symbol had given the power pin the Power In attribute which should be the case with the library symbols.

author: mf_ibfeew
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2021, 11:31:49 pm
content: >If you do an ERC in eeschema it should complain if the power pin is not driven.>This is providing the symbol had given the power pin the Power In attribute which should be the case with the library symbols.The problem is not the unconnected power pin (as you write the ERC will detect this), the problem is a "forgotten" unit of a multi-part-symbol, especially a forgotten power unit.@ Wawavoun:I have also found this problem (with the actual version Kicad 5.99) and I also found no good solution.I quick search on the gitlab-bugtracker showed that other users already placed an feature-request for ERC-enhancing (#1922/#8535), so this check for unused units (of multi-unit-symbols) might be implemented in the future.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2021, 05:31:16 pm
content: Ouch, I had not realized that the ERC does not check for this! Must have got lucky and never forgotten a power "gate" so far.This is quite annoying, since it overlooks an error which is somewhat easy to make, and will result in a non-working PCB. (Well, at least it will typically be fixable with bodge wires...) Too bad that this apparently did not make the cut for 6.0, given that the problem persists in 5.99.
KiCAD 5.1.10_1 - Does not properly print gerber files... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Uky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2021, 02:33:07 pm
content: I am using KiCAD as a free standing tool to view and print Gerber files (X274). Noted that V 5.1.10_1 released in May will not print certain pads in a Gerber file. (The preview also will not display these pads) If this is an expected behavior if the Gerber file was created using another tool I cannot say. Generating the Gerber file "normal" or "mirrored" does not matter. The pads are used in several locations on the board so it cannot be a question of a missing or uninterpretable D-code. The pads are correctly displayed and printed using Pentalogix "Viewmate". (The reason why I unistalled that software was that is always opened a web-page with advertistments.)

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2021, 10:35:30 pm
content: I suppose you're talking about GerbView?I don't use it, so I can't tell whether this is a new behavior or not, but I just tried a couple Gerber files with it, and indeed it looks like some pads show up weirdly.Could you post one of your Gerber files not displaying properly so I could take a look?

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2021, 07:20:39 pm
content: Quote from: Uky on May 15, 2021, 02:33:07 pmReport the bug!

author: retiredfeline
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2021, 10:56:40 pm
content: Have you tried other viewers like gerbv from gEDA or the online tracespace.io one?

author: Uky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2021, 07:12:59 am
content: After the initial post, I discovered that traces were missing too.Not being a user of KiCAD, I uninstalled it and went back to Viewmate.The regular software I use is Cadence Allegro which can do Gerber Import(only from files created by itself - It checks the header for "proper" source...)but the risk of it being buyist makes me want to use a viewer from another vendor.

author: julian1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2021, 02:13:38 am
content: Crappy bug. the rendering is completely screwy for me. switching to modern toolset (fallback), seems ok though.
Alternate KiCad Library - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dave_C
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 05:56:27 am
content: Current Version 3.0New update adds over 10000 symbols (opamps, comparators and more) and 2600 footprints (New library variants, SIP packages and more)See detailed list of changes in the new and improved documentation:https://raw.githubusercontent.com/DawidCislo/Alternate-KiCad-Library/main/AKL%20User%20Manual.pdfYou can get it here:GitHub:https://github.com/DawidCislo/Alternate-KiCad-LibraryYou can also find AKL on kicad.info forum:https://forum.kicad.info/t/alternate-kicad-library-3-0/37517

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 02:54:36 am
content: There are many parts that can't have silkscreen underneath them. Even the small height of the silkscreen impedes how the part sits on the pads, so automated soldering becomes unreliable.

author: woofy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 09:05:55 am
content: This is fine for hobby/hand soldered use, but on a production line it will cause problems. The component will rock (like a see-saw) on the silk screen and cause tomb-stoning, especially if the component was picked slightly off centre.If it was ever needed to move a project to production, the footprints would need changing.

author: Dave_C
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 11:58:59 am
content: That's correct, I mainly focused on hand-soldering and hobby projects when making this library. I can release a version with silkscreen re moved from under the parts if people want it.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 04:11:51 pm
content: As others said, plus you can't see the silk when the component is placed, so anything under the component isn't too useful.However, I like the idea of the PlCC corner numbers, but have to say that they are confusing: which of the two pads at a corner do they relate to? I think either a positioning adjusment or indicator line would be appropriate.

author: Dave_C
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2021, 05:01:23 pm
content: New update is here!SMD libraries have been split into two variants, one is intended for machine assembly, and the other keeps the silkscreen under the parts for hand soldering.You can easily swap between them by using ‘change footprint’ option and renaming the library in footprint properties.
Extracting global and local labels from a schematic? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 06:04:48 am
content: I need to extract global and local labels from a schematic. The end goal is some sort of script to produce a printable file with all of the labels.I've looked at a number of ways to do it. Running a script on the .sch file directly is a real pita. I can get pretty close with Orcad and cadstar netlists. Is there a better way? This needs to work against 5.1.x for now. Once 6.0 is released, I'll move up to that.For those that are curious, I am using Kicad to do electrical cabinet design for CNC machines and want to print out a list of wire labels to be attached to both ends of all the interconnect wires. I know there are specific tools for electrical panels but want to use kicad as it dovetails with my other processes.

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 07:09:34 pm
content: For what it's worth, an awk script to create a CSV with the labels.## AWK script to filter out a list of labels (global and local) from a# CADStar net list exported from KiCad.## Produces a CSV file with 2 columns of the labels.# Strips out CR from the end of the netlist lines# and puts it back at the end of the output line.# Should work with any awk flavor but not tested.#BEGIN {print "Label,Label"}{if(match($1,".ADD_TER")) {sub("/.*/", "",$4)sub("\015", "", $4)print $4 "," $4 "\015"}}
Kicad, what does this unconnected paste error mean? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2021, 05:49:16 pm
content: I'm using a BGA footprint (Housings_BGA:Texas_DSBGA-6_2x3_0.9x1.4mm_Pitch0.5mm), and the PCB gives the following errors.However the board is fine, with holes for the stencil...

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2021, 08:09:56 pm
content: It is an error in the Footprint itself.In KiCad it is legal, (and common) to have multiple pads with the same pad number to make big or complex pads. For examples for this, search through KICad's Footprint libraries for any footprint with "thermal" in it's name.Your situation is different though. For most footprints, the shape of the paste and mask layers is derived from the pad itself. For some footprints though, the solder paste or mask have a different shape, and in such cases a different pad is used, but with it's copper layer turned off. I believe these are called "aperture pads" in KiCad. These pads are however not allowed to have a pin number. The pin number string must be empty, and this is not the case in your footprint.You are also using quite old libraries. The plural form ofHousingsis a strong indication that this is a library for KiCad V4.The closest match I could find in a KiCad V5 library is:> Package_BGA:Texas_DSBGA-6_0.9x1.4mm_Layout2x3_P0.5mmAnd in this footprint the error is corrected. The pads for the F.Paste layer does not have pin numbers.So the next question is:Are you aware you are using an old library or has this just slipped your attention?This may be relevant for you:https://forum.kicad.info/t/i-had-kicad-4-installed-previosly-now-i-updated-to-v5-now-i-have-some-problems-with-the-library-setup/11932

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2021, 01:24:53 pm
content: I'm using Kicad 5.1.9 for MacOS and I don't have that Package_BGA library, but a lot of Housing_*According to the link you posted, I have the KIGITHUB variable ashttps://github.com/KiCadso it seems that I have version 4 of the libraries.I have to decide what do I do since I have lots of boards designed with them already....

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 07:59:38 pm
content: In KiCad, al used footprints are embedded in the PCB file itself, so updating your library setup should have no impact on already existing projects.(For schematic symbols it's quite a different story in KiCad V5, they only link to the libraries).There are also quite a lot of side projects around KiCad. Including the half-baked ones here is a list of about 60 of such projects:https://github.com/xesscorp/kicad-3rd-party-toolsThis one may be useful to you:https://github.com/MitjaNemec/Kicad_action_plugins/tree/master/archive_projectBut at this moment...I'd consider to wait a bit longer before updating.KiCad V6 is expected to be released somewhere this year and it has about 3 years worth of improvements over V5.
Rules checker fails for barrel jack - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 10:00:10 pm
content: I'm trying to add a barrel jack to my schematic, but I'm not sure how to wire it up. It's currently wired as shown in the attachment, but KiCad's rule checker says:Pin 3 (power input) of component U1 is not driven (net 5)Pin 1 (power input) of component U1 is not driven (net 7)I assume I'm doing something wrong but I can't work out. Any suggestions appreciated.Thanks

author: golden_labels
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 10:12:57 pm
content: The type of pins 1 and 3 of LM1117 is “power input”. Nets that connect to those pins must be connected to the PWR_FLAG element (from the “Place power port” button).

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 10:50:04 pm
content: Thanks. I put it after the diode, if that makes sense.

author: retiredfeline
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 10:57:48 pm
content: There's a FAQ with far more detail than you might have bargained for here:https://forum.kicad.info/t/errtype-3-pin-connected-to-some-others-pins-but-no-pin-to-drive-it/10946Although most occurrences are related to power handling components, sometimes they are not so I prefer to think of PWR_FLAG as a Relax, ERC, This Net Is Driven flag.

author: golden_labels
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2021, 09:38:19 pm
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on March 12, 2021, 10:50:04 pmYes, this is the net that must be flagged as providing power.In this schematic it may seem as a nuisance that is cluttering the diagram and the PWR_FLAG is placed near the component only to tell ERC to shut up. But this is not the case for larger circuits. In such scenarios you will have a power supply section, which will provide power rails to the rest of the circuit. Those rails (nets) will be marked as supplying power only in that section — nowhere else in the schematic. Also note that voltage regulator components usually have their outputs marked as power outputs, so no additional PWR_FLAG is needed.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2021, 09:44:43 pm
content: Thanks all.

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2021, 03:36:57 am
content: Sometimes you just have to ignore ERC/DRC. In the end, it's your design and you should understand what works and what doesn't. There are a number of symbols out there that have questionable choices of pin type. Knowing the circuit, I just ignore the error. Also, I have a couple of connectors that the courtyard is just a little too large and gets flagged in DRC when I butt them together. Since I know it's not a problem, I don't bother to go back and update the footprint. It forces me to go and verify spacing.
back tracking - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 02:40:02 pm
content: Scanned the help and the hotkeys reference but couldn't find any relevant info, so...Suppose you're laying a track and click a grid point or two past where you really want to fix it. How do you undo that click?In Altium you press backspace and that rewinds the track (to the beginning if you want). Surely there is an equivalent for Kicad?

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 05:01:10 pm
content: Ctl-Z

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 05:15:44 pm
content: That works after the track is finished, but not during active routing.

author: bpiphany
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 07:02:36 pm
content: This used to work back in the old days before openGL. I really miss it. Delete and backspace also didn't kick you out of the track laying tool which was real button click saver.

author: miceuz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 07:56:45 pm
content: sounds like a great idea for a feature request:https://gitlab.com/kicad/code/kicad/-/issues/new

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2021, 08:52:03 pm
content: Oh! It's so basic I assumed it was there and I just hadn't found the right key combo. It's sufficient (for me) to know it's really not there so I don't do my brain in looking for it

author: apurvdate
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 04:33:41 am
content: Simplest thing I do is I double click to end the routing there only. Then I can delete individual segments till the point I want to back-track and start from that point again.

author: bpiphany
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 07:45:35 am
content: The thing is that it has become four times or so more clicks. It used to be that if you hit 'backspace' or 'delete' it just tore up the last node you put down. That way you could quickly undo as many segments as you wanted. Now you first need to end the routing operation, delete the segments you want to undo, which kicks you out of routing mode altogether, enter routing mode again, and find the end of the track you were laying again to start routing again.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 12:19:18 pm
content: Yep, exactly that. Made worse by repeatedly putting the track in the same wrong place each time.
Altium to Kicad library conversion ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TSL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 01:59:46 am
content: Hi all,I'm after a converter to transform Coilcraft's Altium library to KicadDoes anyone know of one or have a procedure to do that ?thanksTim

author: pierreraymondrondelle
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 09:22:51 pm
content: Go to Coilcraft site, choose your model and download it as a .step.Once on your HD, unzip the file ond open the model with Freecad. Install the kicadstepup workbench addon and export your .step to Kicad as both step and wrml in the same operation.Have fun

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 10:18:46 pm
content: Quote from: pierreraymondrondelle on January 31, 2021, 09:22:51 pmMy guess is that TSL wants to convert the PCB footprints in Coilcraft's Altium library to Kicad.Why that would involve STEP files is anyone's guess.

author: TSL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 11:48:57 pm
content: Yes... footprints are the issue.They are quite unique and I was hoping not to have to reproduce them manually since there is an Altium Library available but not for anything else, hence the question.The 3D & 2D images of the devices are available on 3Dcentral so those bits are not the issue.
Churn, especially WRT Mac... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 09:40:17 am
content: I decided to give KICAD another chance on my main computer. A Mac (actually, a "Hackintosh"), running MacOS 10.13.6The most recent KICAD won't run on 10.13.Older versions of KICAD will run, but apparently cant' read (OSHW) files generated with the newer versions. :-(While I realize that maintaining backward compatibility can be a trap, this seems a bit extreme in the opposite direction :-( 10.13 (High Sierra) is only about 3 years old :-(

author: MitjaN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 05:10:19 pm
content: You might want to read the topic at:https://forum.kicad.info/t/compiling-kicad-for-macos-high-sierra/25186/14

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 10:37:29 pm
content: Quote from: westfw on January 15, 2021, 09:40:17 amKicad hasneverguaranteed that older versions can read files created by newer versions.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 10:40:01 pm
content: Quote from: westfw on January 15, 2021, 09:40:17 amThere was a lot of discussion about this among the developers, and basically it came down to dealing with the moving targets of the dependencies.

author: delfinom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2021, 01:30:18 am
content: Quote from: Bassman59 on January 15, 2021, 10:40:01 pmApple is really the driver here. The newer macOS can't build for the old ones too easily. Our only macOS packager doesn't have the luxury of multiple machines. Apple has declared 10.13 obsolete on January 31st 2021 as well.You can still build for 10.13 if you desire, it's open source, it's just not something that can be officially provided.
MOVED: [LG TV] No Backlight, EAX65423701 2.1 PSU defect? Where to look? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2021, 10:52:45 pm
content: This topic has been moved toRepair.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=287818.0
Looking for Coilcraft 1010VS, 1212VS, 2014VS library - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TSL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 02:01:55 am
content: Hi all,Does anyone have a Coilcraft library to share, specifically for 1010VS, 1212VS, 2014 parts?Just thought I'd ask before making my own, I didnt want to reinvent the wheelcheersTim
Create a complex symbol, with schematic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Moriambar
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 01:42:19 pm
content: Hi.I never used kicad and I don't know whether this is possible.I know how to create a new symbol/symbol library and succeeded in doing it; what I would like to do now is to create a component that is made by other components (conceptually the same that is done while creating an IC from discrete parts). This will make my design way easier since I have some repeating blocks.Can it be done? Can you please help me doing it?Cheers

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 01:50:06 pm
content: This kicad forum discussion from 2018 might be a starting point:https://forum.kicad.info/t/composite-components-sub-assembly/11868

author: thinkfat
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 02:02:17 pm
content: What would you want to achieve with that? Do you need that for simulation?

author: MitjaN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 03:45:12 pm
content: It is not 100% clear what you are asking so there might be a language barrierQuote from: Moriambar on January 17, 2021, 01:42:19 pmYou use hierarchical sheets, where repeated block point to the same schematic file for the hierarchical sheet.

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 08:28:55 pm
content: For a symbol you can have multiple units and copy and paste them to duplicate.
pcbnew action plugin place footprints - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: VintageNut
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2021, 09:27:43 pm
content: I have a design with a simple circuit on a hierarchical page. 10 copies of the circuit are on the main page. I cannot get the action plugin to move all of the components on a sheet.It will move some components but not others. It makes scrambled eggs instead of an omelette.Has anyone made this plugin work for a sheet with multiple different types of components?
Need to copy and paste a sub-circuit 114 times. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: opampsmoker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 10:18:52 am
content: Hi,I have to do a schem with 114 small subcircuits. (each subcircuit is the same as the others) . I wish to draw the sub-circuit once, then have it in a “box”, then just paste that box 114 times. The only way I can see to do this is with hierarchical sheets, as that gives me the “subcircuit in a box”…however, that also produces a separate schem sheet for each box (so that’s 114 schem sheets) and I don’t want that, so please advise on how to do this?

author: tox3
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 12:20:15 pm
content: Hierarchial sheets is the best solution for this.But you can also select all components and copy paste them multiple times. But if you need to fix something after copy paste, then you would have to redo it all

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 12:30:57 pm
content: Quote from: tox3 on October 26, 2020, 12:20:15 pmand with hierarchical sheets there are script to replicate layout

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 12:43:32 pm
content: Maybe you can get some usefull hints when you read this:https://forum.kicad.info/t/copy-and-paste-sub-circuit-114-times/25573/3

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2020, 02:37:17 am
content: I actually have almost the same problem. I did get this script working on 5.1.8https://github.com/MitjaNemec/Kicad_action_pluginsIs it possible to group footprints in pcbnew such that when you click on one item in the group it will move them all as one block? Ie, keeping all the relative positions of footprint in each sub-circuit the same, and not allowing you to move the associated footprints and tracks out of position relative to one another?
KiCAD appended PCB does not update - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2020, 03:38:00 pm
content: Hello,I've done a PCB and it is ready, I then panellized it using mouse bites.Anyway, when I update the PCB in its original file, it doesn't get updated in the panel.Is this normal? shouldn't it get updated? since it is appended not just copy pasted.thanks.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2020, 06:35:03 am
content: Yes, this is "normal".You append the board from the "real project" into the file you've made for the panel.Making panels is not really supported in KiCad (yet?).There are at least 2 different projects for scripts that can help in making panels quicker.A simple trick you can use is to add some unusual components to your panel. For example a very big & fat power resistor, and then line up one of the pins of those power resistors with a reference hole in the PCB's, then remove the PCB's, "append" the new version, and use the pin of those reference resistors to put the PCB's back in the same locations that they were.

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2020, 09:52:48 am
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on December 09, 2020, 06:35:03 amI did this and it works but it requires to do all stuff perfectly from first time. if you missed something, then you need to remove everything and start over.I thought kicad supported that you modify the original board then it gets updated in where ever it is appended.I also, asked if CircuitStudio supports proper panelization but no answer was given. I don't know why such a very important feature is so neglected.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2020, 02:49:14 am
content: Support for panelization has been historically bad in lots of PCB programs. KiCad is not an exception here.There are some specialized programs for panelization. You can also ask a PCB manufacturer to do the panelization for you.Maybe this gives you some hints:https://hackaday.com/?s=kicad+panelizationAlso, you should never design a panel without contacting your PCB manufacturer first.Suppose that the PCB material of your manufacturer is 600x600mm and you design a panel of 305x305mm.That would be an expensive waste of material.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 12, 2020, 04:55:49 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/kicad/tool-for-panelizing-in-kicad-kicad-util/
Created sub-sheets and lost assosiation to components on PCB! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FriedMule
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2020, 04:42:04 am
content: Because my project got too cluttered did I chose to move via copy-past to sub-sheets but when I now go into PCBnew and press "load netlist" does pcbnew creates new footprints and it looks like the original and carefully placed footprints are no longer "connected" to those from the schematic.Is there a way to correct that?

author: marmelade
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2020, 11:12:31 am
content: I have observed this behaviour as well. This is because the designator-references are lost.As far as I am aware of there is no automated process to re-align the designators with your pcb. Havn't tried it yet but manually "renaming" your components to the inital designator should still work (target: sch-netlist and pcb-netlist match each other). If this is a practical solution depends on how many components you have shoved on the new subsheet....Maybe the KiCAD pros know of a better solution?

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2020, 03:00:21 pm
content: Normally the syncronisation between the schematic and the PCB is maintained via "timestamp" vlaues (will change to: "UUID" in KiCad V6).If you do a copy and paste schematic symbols this information is lost.To repair this, you have to use the same RefDes values in the schematic as the old symbols, and then while updating the PCB use the function"Match Method / Re-associate footprints by reference"Another way to fix it is to draw a short track segment from the attachment point of pin 1 of each old Footprint, then delete the old Footprints, grab the new one by pin 1 and move it to the endpoint of the track.

author: poeschlr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 05:51:10 pm
content: In version 5 you are basically left with only manual options or some direct file hacking. (As indicated by the others who were faster than me)Version 6 will bring a paste special command that allows keeping the reference designators unchanged. With that you can then rebuild the connection to the PCB side of things.

author: thinkfat
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2020, 06:55:01 pm
content: When doing cut&paste from a sheet to a sub-sheet, your only hope is to maintain the reference values manually. Make a screenshot of the circuit you're moving and then annotate the part references manually so that they match their previous values. Then, when updating the PCB from the schematic, choose "Re-associate footprints by reference". KiCAD 6 will make this much easier with a "Paste Special" command.
spontaneous lost junctions in eeschema - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2020, 11:34:32 pm
content: I'm not sure what it is I am doing wrong but I seem to lose junctions in eeschema. This has happened 5 or 6 times in the project I'm currently working on and happened again just now. I was tweaking my layout and went back and forth between eeschema and pcbnew a couple of times. When I ran DRC (which I do frequently) it complained of an overlapping problem. I notices that the errant trace ended in a via to "nowhere". Looking at the schematic, the pin had lost it's junction. It wasn't that way 10 minutes earlier.I had added a resistor and placed/routed it but then changed my mind and deleted it. Some how this lead to the lost junction. Is this a known problem? The resistor did not connect to the lost junction and wasn't even on the same schematic sheet.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 06:08:31 pm
content: I've had the opposite problem: spontaneously added junctions on crossing connections in Eeschema. I haven't found a bug report, but pay special attention to junctions when editing schematics.

author: nfmax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 08:33:02 am
content: Quote from: Benta on November 02, 2020, 06:08:31 pmI've hit that one as well, since the latest 5.1.7 version. Only happens rarely, and seems to be related to dragging (G) a block. Watch out for it!

author: retiredfeline
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 08:43:58 am
content: I have often created spurious junctions by moving blocks, and this has been so since I started using KiCad. I suppose junctions could be lost too but I haven't encountered that. Just something to watch out for when moving blocks.
How to start a 0.3mm thick silkscreen line in KiCAD? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: opampsmoker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2020, 11:17:46 am
content: Hi,In KiCAD footprint editor......Do you know how to set the line thickness of a silkscreen line to 0.3mm before its drawn?(So that i draw it as a 0.3mm think line in the first place)

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2020, 09:48:07 pm
content: In 5.1.6 Pcbnew, open Board Setup/Text and Graphics. Set Silk Layers/Line Thickness.
Can't see footprints in kicad file - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: opampsmoker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2020, 07:15:33 am
content: In the “global libraries” tab of the “footprint libraries” dialog box, I have put in a library path to a file of kicad standard footprints that I downloaded. I gave it a “nickname” of ‘kicad’. However, when I go to the footprint editor, I can see the “nickname” kicad….but none of the footprints appear there. It has an expansion box next to it…but it expands to nothing. This file is full of footprints..but I cant see them, do you know why this is?I have my own different file of self-made footprints in a different file, and I have linked this into the “project libraries” tab…and I can see those footprints fine…so why cant I see the other footprints that I spoke of above?
Copy and paste from one schem sheet to another in the same project? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: opampsmoker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 05:21:34 pm
content: Hi,How do you copy a sub-circuit from one schem sheet in a project, to another schem sheet in the same project?

author: MitjaN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:07:36 pm
content: If you have the sub-circuit in its own hierarchical page, just copy the hierarchical sheet .sch file to another project, add a new hierarchical page in schematics and point it to this file.You don't even need to copy the file, you can point the hierarchical page to the original .sch file, but beware any changes to this file can now be done in either of the projects, and will be shared across both projects. So this usually works only for linked projects (sheet with connector, so that both projects have the same pin layout)

author: hli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 08:12:58 pm
content: If you want to really just copy one part of a schematic page, select it, use the 'Edit->Copy' menu, go to the target page, 'Edit->Paste', then place the copy.
How do you highlight a net in KiCAD schem editor? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: opampsmoker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 03:25:33 pm
content: Hi,As per title...please advise if possible.

author: RobBarter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 03:51:30 pm
content: Click on the “Highlight net” toolbar button, then select a track. It's on the toolbar on the right. It will also highlight them on the PCB layout if open. Don't have my laptop with me to snap the part of the screen for you unfortunately. I think it's in the top 4 buttons from memory.
How to open a symbol library temporary? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 11:10:53 am
content: Hi everybody,I'm moving from Eagle to Kicad.One thing I can't figure out is how to temporary open another symbol library and copy a symbol or other info from it,without adding it permanently to the libraries of Kicad. Idealy, what I want is to start the symbol editor and go to File -> Openand open some symbol library without being asked if I want to add it globally or per project.Also, if I select File -> Import symbol, I can only open libraries that are permanently added to Kicad.What I dont want is to add a new library to Kicad. Copy whatever I want and when I'm ready, I remove that library from Kicad.To me, that feels counterproductive.Am I overlooking something?I'm using Kicad 5.1.7.Thanks.

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 11:15:36 am
content: Add as a Project Specific Library, copy symbol|footprint and then un-add itPreferences -> Manage Symbol|Footprint Libraries...

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 11:17:44 am
content: The files are also text... so you can just edit in a text editor and chop the bits around.

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 11:28:56 am
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on October 20, 2020, 11:15:36 amThat's exactly what I want to avoid, see above.

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 11:34:09 am
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on October 20, 2020, 11:17:44 amI noticed that. I also read the pdf with the Kicad file format descriptions. I used this info to write an ULP that converts our company libraries from Eagle to kicad.And yes, I came to the conclusion as well that copying symbols etc. from one lib to another is much easier and faster by using a texteditor.Thing is, I need a viewer in order to decide which symbol I want to use/copy.

author: julian1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 09:24:54 pm
content: Maybe run another instance of eeschema pointed at a test project that references general libraries, and a temp project sandbox library for temporary copying and hacking?That would avoid muddling up production assets and having to temporary link libs just to search out symbols.Although you would still need to resort to copy/paste, when you finally decide to pull something across.
Output files - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 01:46:38 pm
content: Hi. I've been browsing some open source projects, as research for my design. Most of these were KiCAD.Most of these are distributed through github.I'm wondering, why aren't the output files commited with the rest of the project.I'm typically including PDF for the schematic, the PCB layout, STEP file of the assembly, ODB++, Assembly drawings etc...And all of these projects, these files are completely missing.Is it like technically harder to generate these files in KiCAD? Is it just lazyness? Or people dont know that this is helpful? What's going on?

author: greenpossum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2020, 02:28:02 pm
content: It's up to the author. I generally leave a directory of gerber files when I commit, but I make sure that they can be recreated by the person who clones my project. In some cases you have to generate them again. For example one PCB fab may require combined PTH and NPTH files. I also include the KiCad schematic as my projects are MIT licensed so people can modify to their heart's content.
KiCad 5.1.8 Release - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2020, 03:55:11 pm
content: The KiCad project is proud to announce the latest series 5 stable release.https://kicad.org/blog/2020/11/KiCad-5.1.8-Release/
Starting with KiCAD - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2020, 12:56:13 pm
content: I've recently started watching a tutorial series on Youtube by channel "John's Basement". So far As a non-PCB design expert and noob KiCad user I have found it very useful and I recommend it to others like me. It is worth a look if you have (like me) just found it a bit confusing making a start having never used any PCB package before..

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2020, 02:13:57 pm
content: I also like the Joh's Basement ones... but for something with a bit more content...However it might be ruined by mid-roll ads now...

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2020, 06:29:16 pm
content: 55 mins. of video that could be better spent just installing it and playing around.

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2020, 06:12:31 am
content: We went through Peter's course -https://www.udemy.com/course/kicad-like-a-pro-2e/Well worth the money.

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2020, 06:18:14 pm
content: Quote from: johnboxall on September 05, 2020, 06:12:31 amThank you for mentioning it. I started the course this morning and so far, I'm very content with it.We have to make the transition from Eagle V7 to Kicad and this course gives me a kickstart.edit:I finished 2/3 of the course and I felt confident enough to start with a project. Before starting with commercial projects,I'll start with a hobby project to see if any showstoppers come up.First little job was to write a script (ULP) that mass converts the generic devices (RLC) in my custom Eagle library to a Kicad symbol library.