The reason that components are one fixed size is because components are only one fixed size. If the component were a different size it is a different component. Which is a convoluted way of saying that most users are building circuits with a defined set of components, so the issue does not arise.
What would be a nice feature would be to have the ability to create sub-circuits complete with tracks so that you could build up a library of common circuit elements and just place them like footprints. With the one pin idea, try creating a 1 pin with no numbers or names assigned to it, that should prevent drc flagging them up. Or just set down a large via instead. Andy On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:44:40 +0100 "Jean-Paul Gendner" <[email protected]> wrote: > Many thanks Andy and Martin, > > > > Ok for your explanations Andy. However, I do not understand that > with as sophisticated software (not only Kicad), only one specific component > size is allowed, when it should be easy to foresee some. What a pity. > > > > I have tried many, many possibilities with Kicad, and also the one exposed > by Martin. However, in my case, the connections with 1-pins (which may be > done with DRC inactive) generate “track near pad” error messages! If that is > not the case for you Martin, please give me an example. > > > > As in most of the case my solution works well (problems occurs > only with GND zones), I think I will continue to deceive the DRC by doing > not really needed connections for the specific cases the DRC “fails”. > > > > Perhaps the DRC check maybe changed to allow this few cases without problem > for a “near” future upgrade? > > > > Thanks again, > > Jean-Paul > > > > **************** > > Jean-Paul Gendner > > 03.88.27.03.44 > > _____ > > De : [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] De la > part de Andy Eskelson > Envoyé : dimanche 24 janvier 2010 18:44 > À : [email protected] > Objet : Re: [kicad-users] Problem description > > > > > > Check your mod files, if you have two lines the same this will confuse > DRC, and I think by duplicating pads then is what you will create. > > While doing things the way you are is fairly convenient, it's not really > the accepted way to do things. The module should be designed for a > specific component size. > > One solution which is I admit, a bit of a bodge is to only use one pad, > but change it's shape and extend it to cover the range you want. The > disadvantage is that you will only have one drill point, rather than a > whole series of them. > > The other way is to create a module with just a few pads, nothing else, > no numbers or whatever. Then place that alongside the pads of whatever > component you want the adapt. You will have to join the extra pads with a > track and connect them to the existing single pad of the component, but > at least DRC will be happy. > > Andy > > On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:08:39 +0100 > "Jean-Paul Gendner" <jean-paul.gendner@ > <mailto:jean-paul.gendner%40orange.fr> orange.fr> wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > > > > > To realize the module for some components, such as resistors or > > capacitors, I have the habit to put some pads for the same contact. So, at > > mounting time, I am able to choice between different component sizes. > > > > > > > > I also do that with Kicad, but found strange unconnected contact > > messages with the DRC control: two GND connections connected together by > GND > > zones are signalled as not connected! Off courses, the different pads for > a > > same contact have the same pin number and are connected together. > > > > I have added a PB1.brd file to demonstrate simply the problem. > > > > > > > > Any help will be welcome, > > > > Jean-Paul > > > > > > > > **************** > > > > Jean-Paul Gendner > > > > 03.88.27.03.44 > > > > >
