I don't see any reason why values on *.Fab shouldn't exceed the size of the package. Also, printing values on the silkscreen is something that is only ever done by a small handful of hobbyists. When was the last time you saw a real PCB with values on the silk? It looks ugly and serves little purpose. You can print out the *.Fab layers to get a value listing for assembly if you like.
I disagree *100%* that it's more intuitive to set them visible than to change layer. What's so hard about changing the layer? You even do it in the same place! What I *do* think is that a way to move them *all* to a layer in batch would be very, very helpful. KiCad really needs more batch tools in general. And no, not just Python, not everybody who makes a PCB is a software developer. On Thu, Sep 03, 2015 at 08:06:55PM +0200, nnn wrote: > Some time ago after short discussion on librarians mailing list it was > decided to change default reference and value fields of footprints and move > values to F.Fab layer. > I think it was bad decision. I'm asking here to get more opinions. > > Full names of components can be long and their length is unpredictable so > it's hard to set size of value so that it's not extending footprints outline > and isn't smaller that necessary. > It's better to have footprints outline with refdes within on F.Fab (IPC > calls it "assembly") - it's quite common (this kind of documentation can be > found in service manuals) and it's extremely helpful with hand soldering, > servicing, measurements when silkscreen isn't (it may be incomplete or ugly > when miniaturization requires it) > Also there is need to keep values on silkscreen because sometimes it's good > to have them printed on a board. Before changes user could select "force > plotting of invisible values/references", now it's broken. It's also common > to have selected values on a board and it's more intuitive to set them > visible than to change layer. > > Do you agree? Can I move values back to silkscreen? Can I also add %R on > F.Fab and start adding assembly outline to libraries (examples attached)? > _______________________________________________ > Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers > Post to : [email protected] > Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers > More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : [email protected] Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
