Mark all pins "not connected" ??
It is rather tedious marking 90 pins of a 100 pin package as "no connection" so I was wondering if there was a way to automatically mark them all as such in one action ??? Perhaps a plug-in ??
I tend to design a basic circuit first (MCU + crystal, psu, etc) and then add functionality in stages, periodically running the ERC.
There doesn't seem to be a way of suppressing the "no connection" warnings in the ERC, so I find it easier mark them all and then to remove "no connection" indicators as I add functionality.
Is there a way to do this ??
Regards,
Dave
|
What is the recomended way to debug an action plugin ???
Regards,
Dave
|
Re: Where to put 3D model files for footprints
Hi,
On 12/10/2021 19:03, Chris via
groups.io wrote:
I have download a PCB footprint from a vendor that includes a STEP
(.STP) file of the part. I have added the footprint to my personal
footprint library, but where can/should I put the 3D model file in
order that it not be overwritten by future KiCad installations? I
use KiCad nightly releases and I that see KiCad defines the path
KICAD6_3DMODEL_DIR, but I suspect anything I put there might get
blown away by a new install, which for me would be every day
(max.).
Any thoughts?
Depends on where your footprint points to and how you feel about
changing that...
When you open the footprint in the footprint editor you have a
button to edit the properties of the footprint itself. Its the
second button from the left in this screenshot:
You get a dialog with all the properties. There is a tab for 3D
models, on the top you can add as many 3D model files as you like.
I would recommend setting a variable (main window: Preferences
-> Configure Paths) with your personal 3D models and then using
paths relative to that.
??? have fun!
??? Konrad
|
Re: Where to put 3D model files for footprints
On 12/10/2021 19:03, Chris via groups.io wrote: I have download a PCB footprint from a vendor that includes a STEP (.STP) file of the part. I have added the footprint to my personal footprint library, but where can/should I put the 3D model file in order that it not be overwritten by future KiCad installations? I use KiCad nightly releases and I that see KiCad defines the path KICAD6_3DMODEL_DIR, but I suspect anything I put there might get blown away by a new install, which for me would be every day (max.). Anything that is not in the "official" libraries should be in *your* library store. Create your own library tree in a place of your choosing. Then you can define KICAD6_USER_3DMODEL_DIR, for example in the KiCad > Configure Paths dialogue. Do the same for KICAD6_USER_SYMBOL_DIR and KICAD6_USER_FOOTPRINT_DIR, etc. It is often said that you should only use symbols and footprints that you have personally verified as being suitable for your specific purpose. Even if you don't change what's in the Github libraries, copy it to *your* library, then it won't change without you knowing about it. -- Regards, Tony
|
Re: Where to put 3D model files for footprints
Hi
In my case, the 3D models folder are also part of my footprint
libraries structure.
The footprint folder installed by Kicad is only a place were I
grab what I need to populate my personal 3D folder.
Of course the KISYS3DMOD points to my personal 3D folder.
On 12/10/21 18:03, Chris via groups.io
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi,
I have download a PCB footprint from a vendor that includes a STEP
(.STP) file of the part. I have added the footprint to my personal
footprint library, but where can/should I put the 3D model file in
order that it not be overwritten by future KiCad installations? I
use KiCad nightly releases and I that see KiCad defines the path
KICAD6_3DMODEL_DIR, but I suspect anything I put there might get
blown away by a new install, which for me would be every day
(max.).
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
|
Where to put 3D model files for footprints
Hi,
I have download a PCB footprint from a vendor that includes a STEP (.STP) file of the part. I have added the footprint to my personal footprint library, but where can/should I put the 3D model file in order that it not be overwritten by future KiCad installations? I use KiCad nightly releases and I that see KiCad defines the path KICAD6_3DMODEL_DIR, but I suspect anything I put there might get blown away by a new install, which for me would be every day (max.).
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
|
Re: Open Symbol or Footprint directly
Hi, On 12/10/2021 18:10, Tony Casey wrote: Your first problem is that symbols are not stored by default as a single file. There are categories, or groups, of symbols stored inside a .kicad_sym library file (or at least this is the new V5.99 or V6 standard). There is not a 1:1 correspondence between a symbol and its file. I therefore don't see how it's possible to directly open a symbol from a browser or even a file manager. Being able to select a specific symbol would be a nice bonus, but not necessary for my main use case. In the most important use case the file would just happen to have only one symbol (or footprint) inside. What I need is to open a file and let the editor show exactly the content of this file without cluttering the screen with hundreds of other files in my library and without the need to click through a maze of dialogs before I get to that file. Worst case: I'll write my own viewer, but I'd like to avoid that duplication of effort. Eeschema can open a .kicad_sym from within using the symbol editor tool, but not directly from a file manager (I just tried it).
It's conceivable that this could be done from the Python scripting interface, but I'm not sure. Any ideas where I can find a tutorial on this interface? KiCad is not alone in this behaviour. Most ECAD tools I've used don't allow you to open a symbol or footprint from a file manager (and hence indirectly from a browser), as they too store them in "libraries". There is no shame in being more flexible than other tools. ;-) You would have better luck if you made PDFs of each symbol or footprint, but then you could only view them, not edit them. But that is a major amount of work. Viewing only without editing would be fine for my most important use case. But I don't see how I could create a PDF in an automated way if I can't open the editor/viewer in the first place... ??? Konrad
|
Re: Open Symbol or Footprint directly
Your first problem is that symbols are not stored by default as a single file. There are categories, or groups, of symbols stored inside a .kicad_sym library file (or at least this is the new V5.99 or V6 standard). There is not a 1:1 correspondence between a symbol and its file. I therefore don't see how it's possible to directly open a symbol from a browser or even a file manager. Eeschema can open a .kicad_sym from within using the symbol editor tool, but not directly from a file manager (I just tried it).
It's conceivable that this could be done from the Python scripting interface, but I'm not sure.
KiCad is not alone in this behaviour. Most ECAD tools I've used don't allow you to open a symbol or footprint from a file manager (and hence indirectly from a browser), as they too store them in "libraries". You would have better luck if you made PDFs of each symbol or footprint, but then you could only view them, not edit them. But that is a major amount of work.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 12/10/2021 14:52, Konrad Rosenbaum wrote: is it possible to open a symbol file or footprint file directly in the symbol/footprint editor?
For example I'd like to click on those files from my file browser (KDE Dolphin) and open them in the editor directly without having to open a project first.
--
Regards,
Tony
|
Re: Open Symbol or Footprint directly
The only other thing I can think of, is that you might be able to persuade one of the automation utilities to "drive" the kicad launcher, or even just the editors. xdtool is one possibility, Autokey is another (this has a python scripting interface you can use for more complex application driving use, rather than simple text replacing) . It is rather a lot of faffing about if you want to do anything really complex. Andy On Tue, 12 Oct 2021 17:22:43 +0200 "Konrad Rosenbaum" <konrad@...> wrote: Hi,
On 12/10/2021 16:15, Andy wrote:
Generally no, The editors are not separate binarys.
However you do not have to open a project. The main kicad launcher has
all of the utilities available. Also remember that multiple symbols are
held in one file so you cannot really pares a specific symbol to the
symbol editor. Footprints are individual files.
You could associate the filetype and use that to launch kicad, that will
work for the footprintes, (.mod) but for symbols (.lib) that may cause
you problems. I just tried (with KiCad nightly): neither works. Do I have to use some
additional parameter or option?
It's probably best to just use the kicad launcher and sort out the
editing from there rather than trying to use kde directly. That's fine for occasional work or project related work. But if I want
to go through a bigger collection of libraries or even script generate
stuff and then inspect it this is simply not tenable.
It seems like I'll have to open a bug/wishlist item or even fix it myself.
??? regards, Konrad
|
Re: Open Symbol or Footprint directly
Hi, On 12/10/2021 16:15, Andy wrote: Generally no, The editors are not separate binarys.
However you do not have to open a project. The main kicad launcher has
all of the utilities available. Also remember that multiple symbols are
held in one file so you cannot really pares a specific symbol to the
symbol editor. Footprints are individual files.
You could associate the filetype and use that to launch kicad, that will
work for the footprintes, (.mod) but for symbols (.lib) that may cause
you problems. I just tried (with KiCad nightly): neither works. Do I have to use some additional parameter or option? It's probably best to just use the kicad launcher and sort out the
editing from there rather than trying to use kde directly. That's fine for occasional work or project related work. But if I want to go through a bigger collection of libraries or even script generate stuff and then inspect it this is simply not tenable. It seems like I'll have to open a bug/wishlist item or even fix it myself. ??? regards, Konrad
|
Re: Open Symbol or Footprint directly
Generally no, The editors are not separate binarys. However you do not have to open a project. The main kicad launcher has all of the utilities available. Also remember that multiple symbols are held in one file so you cannot really pares a specific symbol to the symbol editor. Footprints are individual files. You could associate the filetype and use that to launch kicad, that will work for the footprintes, (.mod) but for symbols (.lib) that may cause you problems. It's probably best to just use the kicad launcher and sort out the editing from there rather than trying to use kde directly. Andy On Tue, 12 Oct 2021 14:52:49 +0200 "Konrad Rosenbaum" <konrad@...> wrote: Hi,
is it possible to open a symbol file or footprint file directly in the
symbol/footprint editor?
For example I'd like to click on those files from my file browser (KDE
Dolphin) and open them in the editor directly without having to open a
project first.
??? regards, Konrad
|
Open Symbol or Footprint directly
Hi,
is it possible to open a symbol file or footprint file directly in the symbol/footprint editor?
For example I'd like to click on those files from my file browser (KDE Dolphin) and open them in the editor directly without having to open a project first.
??? regards, Konrad
|
Re: Kicad library management for both 5 and upcoming 6 version.
On 07/10/2021 16:19, Dale wrote: That gives me info I didn't find anywhere else.? I wasn't aware of a
user variable for that.? Still, it isn't doing like I expected.? I think
the way I been doing it is the only way to do it.
I use Gentoo Linux which follows upstream pretty close.? Does anyone
know when version 6 is going to be officially released?? I think Gentoo
is waiting for it to be official before updating.? I may check some
overlays to see if someone is tracking 5.99 there.? Once I switch to it
and likely have to redo quite a few things, I'm going to rearrange
things then. Some of the information that you can't get anywhere else is actually in the manual, although not in much detail. Check in the KiCad manual under KiCad Configuration. Note: the version of Help shipped with your distribution may not be up to date and thus may not be as helpful as it might. And, as always, it's hard to motivate developers to keep the documentation up to date, although KiCad is much better than many other projects. (Thank you.) I build the Help from source about every 4 or 5 times I build the application, so it's pretty current. I'm not entirely sure I understand "the way you have been doing it", but it doesn't sound like the way I do it, so you must be wrong about it being the only way. 5+ years of successfully using KiCad in production tells me that. There must be plenty of folk on this list who have used it in anger much longer. The switch, in KiCad, from "stable" to "nightly" (or "development" branch) can be painful (has been in the past) and almost irreversible, unless you have backups of everything (you do, don't you?). However, once in the development branch, the idea is that the transition to the next version is seamless. That's what development branches are for. That, and to preview new and exciting features. My experience is that major problems with the development branch are relatively rare (especially if you actually use the nightlies), and if you encounter an issue, reverting to last week's version or updating to next week's usually fixes it. I run Arch Linux, which is about as bleeding edge as you can get. I know they say you shouldn't use dev' releases for production, but I like to live dangerously. But, God knows, there are plenty of legacy applications that have significant problems that you just have to live with and/or work around. For my sins, I still maintain many designs in Protel99SE, which I actually still like and have a license for, but it's very "20th century", or in reality - 1990s. I've tried the Altium2KiCad converter, which kind of works, but nowhere near well enough to make it useful in practice. -- Regards, Tony
|
Re: Kicad library management for both 5 and upcoming 6 version.
Hi
I don't know how you are doing it, but here a small explanation on how I do it.
I'm currently using kicad 5.1.10.
I'm on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, so all the paths referenced are for the linux file system. But all explanations are valid for other OSs, just replace the install and home folders with the relevant ones for your specific OS.
My main goals are:
- do not use the standard libraries as installed
??? ??? . they can be overwritten in an upgrade or re-install, and that can break existing projects.
??? ??? . they are too big and that costs in loading and searching time
- have my own library organization with symbols / footprints / 3D models / templates that
??? ??? . I really use
??? ??? . I have verified to be correct
??? ??? . I have designed or modified myself
- have project specific libraries, in the project folder, with symbols / footprints / 3D models / templates used in that specific project
??? ??? . can be distributed as a stand alone package
??? ??? . can be opened in any kicad installation regardless of its specific configuration
??? ??? . its easier to share with collaborators or costumers
??? ??? . symbols can have extra fields with manufacturer or vendor specific codes and documentation
??? ??? . printing (page) templates can be personalized for the project costumer
How I do it:
At my home folder I create the following structure for my personalized "global libs".
kicad-libs
??? - xxx.pretty - several footprint folders organized my own way
??? - yyy.pretty
??? - .............
??? - xxx_packages3d - 3D models
??? - xxx_sym - symbol libraries of the legacy (.sym / .dcm) type.
??? - template - default kicad installation templates (moved from the installation at /usr/kicad)
??? - usr_templates - my own templates (folder also moved from the installation at /usr/kicad)
??? - spice_models - default kicad installed spice models (folder also moved from the installation at /usr/kicad)
??? - master - folder with current copies of the official kicad libs from github
??? ??? . footprints
??? ??? . models
??? ??? . symbols
??? - library_management - a special kicad project to help find symbols footprints or models in the master libs and copy them to my personal ones.
I set all the environment variables, KICAD_xxx and? KISYSxxx,? in ".config/kicad/kicad_common" to my personal folders in the structure above.
I configure my personal libraries inside kicad_libs/xxx_sym as global symbol libraries, configure kicad_libs/xxx_yyy.pretty folders as global footprints libraries.
In the special "library_management" project I configure, as project specific libraries, all the symbols and footprint libraries under "kicad_libs/master". This way I can use the symbol editor and the footprint editor to search the official libraries for any symbol or footprint missing in my own libraries and copy it to them. Then I double check the correction of the symbol/footprint, make any changes I want and its ready for using in a project.
This way:
??? - Any new project starts up with only my personal libraries, fast library loading and my own organization
??? - I can upgrade my kicad install without worrying about overwritten default libs in "/usr/kicad".
??? - I can update my "kicad_libs/master" folders from the official github repository without breaking any project
In any new project, if deemed so, I open a set of project specific libs in the project folder and copy symbols and footprints from my own libs to the project specific libs, so the project can be distributed without breaking anything.
I'm still performing this step, but recent kicad versions already have specific tools for it. You know, old habits die hard.
It may look like a lot of work but
??? - fetching symbols from the official libs to my own only happened in teh first projects, nowadays is very rare.
??? - some of the work associated with creating libs for a new project is quickly done with a text editor instead of an endless stream of mouse clicks.
HIH
Best regards
Jorge
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 07/10/21 15:19, Dale wrote: ..........................
That gives me info I didn't find anywhere else.? I wasn't aware of a
user variable for that.? Still, it isn't doing like I expected.? I think
the way I been doing it is the only way to do it.
I use Gentoo Linux which follows upstream pretty close.? Does anyone
know when version 6 is going to be officially released?? I think Gentoo
is waiting for it to be official before updating.? I may check some
overlays to see if someone is tracking 5.99 there.? Once I switch to it
and likely have to redo quite a few things, I'm going to rearrange
things then.
Thanks much for the info.
Dale
:-)? :-)
|
Kicad library management for both 5 and upcoming 6 version.
Tony Casey wrote: To simplify library management, you should do a couple of things. In
the application "KiCad",
1. Preferences > Configure Paths
2. In this dialogue, you should see KiCad-specific environmental
variables, for example: KICAD_SYMBOL_DIR. This is pre-defined (in
Linux) as /usr/share/kicad/library, being the default symbol
library. If you're running the development branch, there is a
separate set of EnvVars prefixed KICAD6_.
3. To more easily work with your own symbol library, click the [+]
button and add, for example: KICAD_USER_SYMBOL_DIR, and define
where you would like it to be, maybe: /home/dale/kicad-libraries.
Do the same for your footprint, 3D, Template etc. library directories.
Then, Preferences > Manage Symbol Libraries. There, you add each of
your own separate library directories, using the environmental
variable prefixes, you previously defined. You can make libraries
global, or project specific. Note: you have to have an active project
open to define project libraries. Now, do the same for your footprint
libraries. Note, that the terminology has changed over different
versions of KiCad. Footprints used to be called modules. With version
6, they're called footprints stored in in files that have the suffix
.kicad_mod and live in directories suffixed .pretty. With version 6,
symbols are now stored in files suffixed .kicad_sym and .dcm files are
no longer used.
It's obviously up to you how you catalogue symbols and footprints, but
I stick broadly to the default theme and group similar types of parts.
I would avoid creating a directory for each part - each one has to be
added to the lib-tables. Note, that your choices for symbol and
footprint directories are stored in the files: sym-lib-table and
fp-lib-table, respectively in $HOME/.config/kicad. To make my library
folders easily distinguishable from the default libraries, I prefix
each with an underscore.
Note: you can have any number of symbols or footprints with the same
name. The libraries listed in sym-lib-table and fp-lib-table are
searched in the order they appear in those files, so if you list you
own library directories above the default ones, they will be selected
in preference. But if you have forgotten to define your own R0603, for
example, and it exists in the default libraries, that one will be
picked up instead. You can also toggle whether particular directories
are active (searched) or not.
Hope this helps a little.
--
Regards,
Tony
That gives me info I didn't find anywhere else.? I wasn't aware of a user variable for that.? Still, it isn't doing like I expected.? I think the way I been doing it is the only way to do it.? I use Gentoo Linux which follows upstream pretty close.? Does anyone know when version 6 is going to be officially released?? I think Gentoo is waiting for it to be official before updating.? I may check some overlays to see if someone is tracking 5.99 there.? Once I switch to it and likely have to redo quite a few things, I'm going to rearrange things then.? Thanks much for the info. Dale :-)? :-)
|
Re: Simple cap charge simulation and ground question
The not driven error as mentioned is a ERC error. The design rules don't know that you are powering the circuit externally. So you add a power flag to tell the system that the net is actually powered, as Robert described. A big trap that beginners fall into is not knowing that the ground is also considered a "powered" net. That usually means that you need to add a Power flag onto the ground net as well. You can only have ONE power flag or ONE device providing power on a net, or things get even more confused. Generally (because of the above) I do not like devices that specify pins as power outs, and I edit them to remove that. I prefer to add power flags and leave it at that. Andy On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 19:22:02 -0700 "Ken Cone" <kencone@...> wrote: Hello,
I’m a new Kicad user trying to simulate a simple cap charge circuit with a DC source, a resistor, and a cap.
Where does the ground symbol come into play? Does Spice need one?
I’m using the pspice model for “0v reference potential for simulation”.
I get the following error:
“Pin connected to other pins, but not driven by any pin”. Power input of component #GND0101 is not driven (Net 10)
See enclosed screen shot. Thanks.
Ken Cone
kencone@...
K7BXI
|
Re: Simple cap charge simulation and ground question
Where does the ground symbol come into play?? Does Spice need one? Additional thoughts - if you mean "in general", as opposed to being specifically for Spice, it's good practice to use it on any schematic that has a circuit ground (which is pretty much all but utterly trivial circuits), for the benefit of others reading your schematic. Think of it as where you would connect the ground lead of a measurement instrument (hence its use in Spice). Also, on a single schematic, all circuit nodes connected to a ground symbol are assumed connected together, even if that isn't made with an explicit connection (a green "wire" in Kicad). Kicad will also make that assumption. Note, however, that there are different grounds, such as circuit ground and protective ground. These different grounds are not necessarily connected together, but if they are, it will be done at a single point (called a star point), and that connection will be explicit on the schematic. Regards, Robert. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
|
Re: Simple cap charge simulation and ground question
Where does the ground symbol come into play? Does Spice need one? Yes. I get the following error:
“Pin connected to other pins, but not driven by any pin”. Power input of
component #GND0101 is not driven (Net 10) Kicad design rule checking requires that things that should be powered, are powered. The output from a regulator will give it the information it needs (because of the way the symbol is designed), but where the power source is not clear (eg kicad doesn't know that you will be connecting a circuit node to a power brick), you must tell it. This is achieved with a power flag, which in PCBNew is stashed with the ground symbols. It's a square box with a single pin that must be joined to the powered circuit node. Regards, Robert. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
|
Simple cap charge simulation and ground question
Hello, I’m a new Kicad user trying to simulate a simple cap charge circuit with a DC source, a resistor, and a cap. ?
Where does the ground symbol come into play?? Does Spice need one??
I’m using the pspice model for “0v reference potential for simulation”.?
I get the following error: “Pin connected to other pins, but not driven by any pin”. Power input of component #GND0101 is not driven (Net 10) See enclosed screen shot.? Thanks. ?
|
Re: Addon for running FreeRouter ??
I also notice there is a bunch of plugins in the plugins
directory but they never appear in the tools/plugins menu.
Some of them are potentially very useful but currently I cannot
see how to run them.
Dave
On 05/10/2021 18:50, David Slipper
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I am running Kicad 5.1.10_1 and FreeRouter 1.4.4 under Win 7
Pro x64
I can run FreeRouter manually and I am pleased with the
results.
But I would prefer if it was automated to some extent.
The plug-in I found is
but I have been unable to get it to work - a lack of
installation instructions didn't help.
Dave
On 05/10/2021 18:36, Gérard FARGES
wrote:
Hi,
Which version do you mean ?
It works well with V4 and V5.1.8 but to be used
separately, imporint/exproting Specctra formats and with
same results.
Not tried yet on V1.1.10 or the V5.99.
Have a look to kicad forum pointing to the Freerouter S/W
still living. To re-installed Layout Editor ECAD to have
Freerouter.jar (java app).
Needs the Java JDK on your computer.
KR
GerardFX
Le?mar. 5 oct. 2021 à?13:24,
David Slipper < softfoot@...>
a écrit?:
Hi, There used to be a plugin to export the pcb, run
autorouter, and
then when autorouter closed, re-import the pcb all as a
single function.
Sadly it no longer works with the latest Kicad - has anyone
ported it ??
and if so where could I find it ??
Best regards,
Dave
|
Tony Casey