[kicad-users] Re: Completely depressing !
There's no substitute for process. Where I work, the rule is that 2 sets of eyes check every schematic symbol. Just because the symbol has a pin labeled reset and it's on pin 1 doesn't mean that the datasheet agrees with the symbol. Also, two sets of eyes are required to check every package symbol. Pin 1 has to be where pin 1 of the drawing says it's supposed to be. And, of course, every dimension of the package has to match the drawing. The problem I see, because I'm (lots of us are) doing home-brew designs outside of work, is that there's no second set of eyes to check these things. If you're using this tool at work, then have someone take the datasheet and hi-lite every pin in both the datasheet and the schematic symbol. Likewise for the footprint symbol. Then, file these away with the design documentation so there's no second-guessing by management later when there's an error. You could do this at home as well but whenever the same set of eyes does the making and checking, there's a much greater chance of an error sneaking through. Of course, when the symbol and package have 1152 pins, everyone runs screaming the other way when I show up in their office to request a symbol check. It's discipline and process that separates the amateurs from the pro's. So, develop a process, even if you're on your own, and follow it rigorously. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Stephrac74 stephra...@... wrote: Hi guys, I would like to share with you my very bad experience in order to help you to avoid becoming completely depressed as I am now I've been working about 50 hours on a PCB using Kicad and the libraries found on the soundforge. I've a TFQP microcontroller in my design and used the module found in microchip-2 library called TQFP64 ! I've not checked before drawing the PCB that the module was ok . And what a mistake ! The module is wrong, dimensions are not correct making the component impossible to mount and solder ! I can of course correct this by changing the module, but using Kicad this means erasing all the wires connected there and restart most of my design (very compact). I think about 20h more to spend on this PCB That is absolutely dramatic for a professional use as spending 70h on a such basic PCB with around 100 components ! So my best advice is to redesign all your modules and not spend one minute using the libs you can find in Kicad or on the web. There are so many errors that you discover all along your design (silkcreens, wrong dimensions, ) making finally a massive waste of time. Of course, If I knew that before I would have redesigned all the components and created my own libs Hoping it will prevent some other people to face what I'm facing now ! Best Stephane
Re: [kicad-users] Re: Completely depressing !
I have developed a formal method of checking designs. It's very tedious, but providing you can stay awake and don't skip things you're certain are correct it seems to be pretty good at finding problems. You also have to stay calm when you get yet another automated telephone call congratulating you on winning a cruise in the Caribbean. If anyone is interested I'll upload the necessary file to Yahoo groups (along with instructions). Regards, Robert. giordano.george wrote: There's no substitute for process. Where I work, the rule is that 2 sets of eyes check every schematic symbol. Just because the symbol has a pin labeled reset and it's on pin 1 doesn't mean that the datasheet agrees with the symbol. Also, two sets of eyes are required to check every package symbol. Pin 1 has to be where pin 1 of the drawing says it's supposed to be. And, of course, every dimension of the package has to match the drawing. The problem I see, because I'm (lots of us are) doing home-brew designs outside of work, is that there's no second set of eyes to check these things. If you're using this tool at work, then have someone take the datasheet and hi-lite every pin in both the datasheet and the schematic symbol. Likewise for the footprint symbol. Then, file these away with the design documentation so there's no second-guessing by management later when there's an error. You could do this at home as well but whenever the same set of eyes does the making and checking, there's a much greater chance of an error sneaking through. Of course, when the symbol and package have 1152 pins, everyone runs screaming the other way when I show up in their office to request a symbol check. It's discipline and process that separates the amateurs from the pro's. So, develop a process, even if you're on your own, and follow it rigorously. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Stephrac74 stephra...@... wrote: Hi guys, I would like to share with you my very bad experience in order to help you to avoid becoming completely depressed as I am now… I've been working about 50 hours on a PCB using Kicad and the libraries found on the soundforge. I've a TFQP microcontroller in my design and used the module found in microchip-2 library called TQFP64 ! I've not checked before drawing the PCB that the module was ok…. And what a mistake ! The module is wrong, dimensions are not correct making the component impossible to mount and solder ! I can of course correct this by changing the module, but using Kicad this means erasing all the wires connected there and restart most of my design (very compact). I think about 20h more to spend on this PCB… That is absolutely dramatic for a professional use as spending 70h on a such basic PCB with around 100 components ! So my best advice is to redesign all your modules and not spend one minute using the libs you can find in Kicad or on the web. There are so many errors that you discover all along your design (silkcreens, wrong dimensions, …) making finally a massive waste of time. Of course, If I knew that before I would have redesigned all the components and created my own libs… Hoping it will prevent some other people to face what I'm facing now ! Best Stephane Please read the Kicad FAQ in the group files section before posting your question. Please post your bug reports here. They will be picked up by the creator of Kicad. Please visit http://www.kicadlib.org for details of how to contribute your symbols/modules to the kicad library. For building Kicad from source and other development questions visit the kicad-devel group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-develYahoo! Groups Links No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2679 - Release Date: 02/10/10 07:40:00 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2679 - Release Date: 02/10/10 07:40:00
Sv: Re: [kicad-users] Re: Completely depressing !
Yes, please! - Anders Gustafsson Engineer, CNE6, ASE Pedago, The Aaland Islands (N60 E20) www.pedago.fi phone +358 18 12060 mobile +358 40506 7099 fax +358 18 14060 Robert birmingham_spi...@gmx.net 2010-02-10 19:50 If anyone is interested I'll upload the necessary file to Yahoo groups (along with instructions).
RE: Re: [kicad-users] Re: Completely depressing !
Im usually a very consciencious guy and very formatted with processes for RD. This comes from big companies where I worked. However, now Im working alone and thats not easy to find a second eyes pair ! However with time we can achieve the good at first time As I was in a hurry for this project, Ive made some short circuits in the process . And I shouldnt ! I would be please to see your process too Robert. Best Stephane www.hamradio-experiments.com De : kicad-users@yahoogroups.com [mailto:kicad-us...@yahoogroups.com] De la part de Anders Gustafsson Envoyé : mercredi 10 février 2010 18:53 À : kicad-users@yahoogroups.com Objet : Sv: Re: [kicad-users] Re: Completely depressing ! Yes, please! - Anders Gustafsson Engineer, CNE6, ASE Pedago, The Aaland Islands (N60 E20) www.pedago.fi phone +358 18 12060 mobile +358 40506 7099 fax +358 18 14060 Robert birmingham_spi...@gmx.net mailto:birmingham_spider%40gmx.net 2010-02-10 19:50 If anyone is interested I'll upload the necessary file to Yahoo groups (along with instructions). --- Orange vous informe que cet e-mail a été contrôlé par l'anti-virus mail. Aucun virus connu à ce jour par nos services n'a été détecté. image001.jpgimage002.jpg
Re: [kicad-users] Re: Completely depressing !
Just to let you know I'm preparing some instructions for my own formal method which I will upload in the next few days. I'm trying to write them so they could be used by a beginner rather than just slapping a file on the server and leaving it for people to figure out for themselves, so it will take me a little while. Although it's better to get someone else to check your work, sometimes you have no choice. Regards, Robert. Stephrac74 wrote: I’m usually a very consciencious guy and very formatted with processes for RD. This comes from big companies where I worked. However, now I’m working alone and that’s not easy to find a second eyes pair ! However with time we can achieve the “good at first time” As I was in a hurry for this project, I’ve made some short circuits in the process …. And I shouldn’t ! I would be please to see your process too Robert. Best Stephane www.hamradio-experiments.com De : kicad-users@yahoogroups.com [mailto:kicad-us...@yahoogroups.com] De la part de Anders Gustafsson Envoyé : mercredi 10 février 2010 18:53 À : kicad-users@yahoogroups.com Objet : Sv: Re: [kicad-users] Re: Completely depressing ! Yes, please! - Anders Gustafsson Engineer, CNE6, ASE Pedago, The Aaland Islands (N60 E20) www.pedago.fi phone +358 18 12060 mobile +358 40506 7099 fax +358 18 14060 Robert birmingham_spi...@gmx.net mailto:birmingham_spider%40gmx.net 2010-02-10 19:50 If anyone is interested I'll upload the necessary file to Yahoo groups (along with instructions). --- Orange vous informe que cet e-mail a été contrôlé par l'anti-virus mail. Aucun virus connu à ce jour par nos services n'a été détecté. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2679 - Release Date: 02/10/10 07:40:00 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2679 - Release Date: 02/10/10 07:40:00
[kicad-users] How to force update of schematic file when changing part in library?
When I make a change to a part in a library that's already been placed in the schematic, I can't seem to get the part properties to be updated in the schematic (and more importantly the netlist), even when I clear the cache. In browsing the .sch file with notepad, the problem seems to be that there is another copy of the part in the schematic file itself. Is there any way to force a new reading of the library? Otherwise, I need to delete every part and reinsert them in the schematic, which is problematic on a number of levels. Things that I'm sure of: 1. I've cleared the cache numerous times 2. I've made triply sure that my library is able to by found by the schematic program (it's in the project root, and I've rerouted the path in the config file) Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks, Brian Keeney
[kicad-users] EEschema printing error-- Net names over power symbols appear as -----
When I print on my hp color laser printer the net names over the power symbols appear as little lines, like . It doesn't do it on my BW HP color laser printer, but it's much less easy to read overall. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Brian Keeney
