The answer to the problem ( how to link footprints and component) is : Use the .equ files with cvpcb and use the automatic association feature of cvpcb. A .equ file is the file which handle the component (exactly the value of a component and its footprint. (see in Cvpcb doc, the very short chapter 6) Have a look to a file like kicad/modules/smd_resistor_0805.equ or kicad/modules/smd_resistor_0603.equ and others .equ files. Such a files are easy to create and like the the smd_resistor_0805.equ and smd_resistor_0603.equ can be build from one initial file by changing (search and replace...) footprint names for alist of components.
I believe this way is more powerfull than fill the footprint field in eeschema. In Cvpcb configuration You must choose (in .equ list file) the .equ file(s) you created, according to your technologie (various smd classes for resistors, resistors ... ). And after, run the automatic association tool. So it is not necessary to have many libraries for the schematic: only one is enought, whatever the smd footprints you plan to use. Just create different equ files and select the right file(s) in Cvpcb, and use the automatic association tool.. The first .equ file is a bit boring to create, but usualy the other files are faster to build. (the smd_resistor_0603.equ file was built from smd_resistor_0805.equ, using the editor text command search "sm0806" and replace by "sm0603") And i believe the footprint selection is not a schematic problem (when you are designing your schematic, you want a resistor, or a capacitor, or a transistor, not a part number 09 4567 A34-rev 4, not a sm0806 package or a sm0603 - rotated 90° package...) I believe the footprint selection is board design problem. -- Jean-Pierre CHARRAS Maître de conférences Directeur d'études 2ieme année. Génie Electrique et Informatique Industrielle 2 Institut Universitaire de Technologie 1 de Grenoble BP 67, 38402 St Martin d'Heres Cedex Recherche : Grenoble Image Parole Signal Automatique (GIPSA - INPG) 46, Avenue Félix Viallet 38031 Grenoble Cedex
