[kicad-users] Re: Mounting holes / holes with NO annular at al.
Hi, If you try to make the hole larger than the pad you will get an error. What I have been using in the past was to have the pad on NO copper layers. But in the current version it also creates an error. Maybe something to put as a suggestion Cheers, Heiko How about drawing a crosshair or circle as a silkscreen object and using that to mark the drill? Could also just make the copper pad smaller than the drill bit used so that it vanishes entirely when the hole is drilled.
[kicad-users] How can I create an overlay printout???
Hi all, I am trying to create a printout with silkscreen and/or pads but also with references for manual soldering/repairs. I remember that it was possible somehow under V20090216 but I can't find any settings for to enable references in the print menu under the latest version. Any hint highly appreciated! Thanks, Heiko.
[kicad-users] Re: libs silkscreens unusable
Hi Stephane, I like Kicad and have already done a 4layer board which went into production pretty much straight away, the re-spin was caused by circuitry optimisations but not by Kicad issues. However, I must admit that I did not use a single component without doing extensive changes to it. I am still missing things like a proper part name (instead of having to use its value as name), also missing things like a fenceguard layer (I did re-use the glue layer for this) and also editable pad-stacks would be great. And, of course, not to forget the silkscreen which sometimes overlaps the pads and often has no distance margin to the pads. But for me Kicad is stil a valid solution. Yes, I have to spend more time in creating components and even PCB design takes longer. But commercial packages are neither perfect and much more expensive so it comes down to how much time you have got to spend and how much money would you be willing to spend towards a commercial solution. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Stephrac74 stephra...@... wrote: Hi group, I've noticed that most of the library components have unusable silkscreens. Most of the time, the lib silkscreen shows the component itself with pads and so on instead of a simple square or so, and the silkscreen often covers the pads which is amazing ! This is not usable for PCB industrialization. I've decided to don't use anymore the Kicad libs and to redesign all my needed components ! This is a major issue according to me and a major waste of time I have no time anymore to change the software. Regarding the different limitations I'm facing for a professional use, I'm starting having regrets to have chosen Kicad L This is a fantastic software, and free, but the 2% of missing details makes this software not usable for professional use according to me and requires a lot more time even for an amateur use than an other software. Hoping it will be improved, but last release is already 1 year ago and the wish list is so long that I have not added my comments. Best Stephane
[kicad-users] Re: Bill of Material : how to group all values in 1 line ?
Hi Stephane, Had the same problem a while ago. Luckily, Harold King did a little script as an add-on (currently for Excel only) which converts the normal output into the required type. Have a look at http://cybercircuits-lab.co.cc/blog/category/eda/kicad/ Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Stephrac74 stephra...@... wrote: Hi all, I'd like to generate the bill of material with the following format : ValueReferencesQuantity 100nF C1,C2,C8,C10 4 47Kohms R1, R2, R3 3 Instead of having 1 line per reference like : 100nF C1 100nF C2 100 nf C8 That would be easier to import the BOM and use it directly in excel for purchasing. Is there any way to do ? I don't find the correct configuration Regards Stephane
[kicad-users] Re: Edit the hotkey config file?
Hi Rob, Didn't stumble across it when I was filing a bug last time. But I am not sure whether it is my lack of undrestanding or actually a bug. However, you are right: It is still effecting productivity of Kicad and apparently no one else has more knowledge so I would suggest to file it as a bug. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Rob Frohne rob.fro...@... wrote: Hi, Has this issue been reported to the bug tracker? Has anyone figured it out? It still seems to be affecting me at least, with the latest code from svn. Thanks, Rob oecherexpat wrote: I tried the same with the same results some time ago, so there could be an issue with KiCad reading the new/edited file. But the much more important thing to me is: Can I put hotkeys onto other functions? And if yes, how would I do it? For instance, I would love to move and rotate labels/texts with a hotkey when doing the silkscreen, it really takes time to do it always with the menu. I actually know quite some PCB layouters who do use hotkeys whereever they can... Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com mailto:kicad-users%40yahoogroups.com, kuschelbear77 bassbaer77@ wrote: --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com mailto:kicad-users%40yahoogroups.com, Geert Vancompernolle geert.foxboard@ wrote: --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com mailto:kicad-users%40yahoogroups.com, jean-pierre charras jean-pierre.charras@ wrote: This is 4 steps way: 1 - Run eeschema (or pcbnew), open preferences menu and click on Create Hotkey config file. 2 - With a text editor, change hotkey values (there are comments to do that within the hotkey file: eeschema.key or pcbney.key) 3 - Rerun eeschema (better) ( or reread hotkey file in preferences menu for fast test) If no bugs, it must be work (I hope it). 4 - Write a small ( or big ) tutorial about this (under OpenOffice) and send me it. -- Jean-Pierre CHARRAS Not clear to me yet. A real life example: I want to assign the key C to the Copy Component command. So, I followed the above given steps and added the following line in the file eeschema.key, in the section [eeschema] (just after the begin Wire command): shortcut C: Copy Component After closing and re-opening EeSchema, I don't see that new key. It's not clear to me what is allowed between the second pair of signs. I assume it's the (exact?) text you see when you do the same action via the menu? If you want to copy a component, the only item available via the pop-up menu is Copy Component, so I took exactly the same string (taking into account the caps too) to define my hotkey to copy components. What is wrong with this approach? Best rgds, --Geert Hi there, I have the same problem with the hotkeys. After installing KiCad and defining a hotkey file (for PCBnew) I placed the line shortcut Ctrl U: Save board as... to save the current changes with a new filenumber with a simple shortcut. But after saving the file and rereading the file in PCBnew nothing happens by pressing Ctrl U. The predefined hotkeys work properly. And also it is no problem to change the predefined shortcuts. When I change Find component from Ctrl F to Ctrl W save the file and reread the file the component finding dialog opens by pressing Ctrl W. Is this a bug or simple a misunderstanding of the instructions? I mean that it could be possible the developers only meant to change the predefined shortcuts to more suitable ones and not adding new shortcuts to the list. I come to this point when I see others having exactly the same problem as myself. Greetings. Björn -- Rob Frohne, Ph.D., P.E. E.F. Cross School of Engineering Walla Walla University 100 SW 4th Street College Place, WA 99324 (509) 527-2075 http://people.wallawalla.edu/~rob.frohne
[kicad-users] Re: Round zones
That applies for zone outlines but if you want to do a round keep-out you have to approximate the shape with straight lines. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, hvontres hvont...@... wrote: --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Robert birmingham_spider@ wrote: The only way I know of doing this is to have lots of segments. Obviously you need a lot of segments to make a polygon appear round to the eye, but even then it wont take more than a few (admittedly tedious) minutes. Regards, Robert. martin_de_lange@ wrote: I am working on a round pcbis a round zone possible? 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: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.42/2278 - Release Date: 08/02/09 17:56:00 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.42/2278 - Release Date: 08/02/09 17:56:00 I just played with it and with the new zone filling algorithm, a circular board outline will be filled with and aproximaion of a circle even if the zone itself is just a crude polygon.
[kicad-users] donut shaped pads
Is it possible to somehow create donut-shaped pads? It is prefered by my PCB manufacturer to make sure that NPT holes are done right. If I go for a standard pad, the copper is all over the hole. If I use a copper track it is not recognised as a pad and a copper fill doesn't keep a distance to the ring. Furthemore, if I just use a non-plated hole, I see a copper circle where the hole is in the gerber files. Is that intended? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Edit the hotkey config file?
I tried the same with the same results some time ago, so there could be an issue with KiCad reading the new/edited file. But the much more important thing to me is: Can I put hotkeys onto other functions? And if yes, how would I do it? For instance, I would love to move and rotate labels/texts with a hotkey when doing the silkscreen, it really takes time to do it always with the menu. I actually know quite some PCB layouters who do use hotkeys whereever they can... Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, kuschelbear77 bassbae...@... wrote: --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Geert Vancompernolle geert.foxboard@ wrote: --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, jean-pierre charras jean-pierre.charras@ wrote: This is 4 steps way: 1 - Run eeschema (or pcbnew), open preferences menu and click on Create Hotkey config file. 2 - With a text editor, change hotkey values (there are comments to do that within the hotkey file: eeschema.key or pcbney.key) 3 - Rerun eeschema (better) ( or reread hotkey file in preferences menu for fast test) If no bugs, it must be work (I hope it). 4 - Write a small ( or big ) tutorial about this (under OpenOffice) and send me it. -- Jean-Pierre CHARRAS Not clear to me yet. A real life example: I want to assign the key C to the Copy Component command. So, I followed the above given steps and added the following line in the file eeschema.key, in the section [eeschema] (just after the begin Wire command): shortcut C:Copy Component After closing and re-opening EeSchema, I don't see that new key. It's not clear to me what is allowed between the second pair of signs. I assume it's the (exact?) text you see when you do the same action via the menu? If you want to copy a component, the only item available via the pop-up menu is Copy Component, so I took exactly the same string (taking into account the caps too) to define my hotkey to copy components. What is wrong with this approach? Best rgds, --Geert Hi there, I have the same problem with the hotkeys. After installing KiCad and defining a hotkey file (for PCBnew) I placed the line shortcut Ctrl U:Save board as... to save the current changes with a new filenumber with a simple shortcut. But after saving the file and rereading the file in PCBnew nothing happens by pressing Ctrl U. The predefined hotkeys work properly. And also it is no problem to change the predefined shortcuts. When I change Find component from Ctrl F to Ctrl W save the file and reread the file the component finding dialog opens by pressing Ctrl W. Is this a bug or simple a misunderstanding of the instructions? I mean that it could be possible the developers only meant to change the predefined shortcuts to more suitable ones and not adding new shortcuts to the list. I come to this point when I see others having exactly the same problem as myself. Greetings. Björn
[kicad-users] Re: component with multiple power out pins
Hi Philip, Another way would be to define only one pin as power output and the remaining two as passive, assuming that all 3 would be connected in a schematics anyway. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, kajdas kaj...@... wrote: I do not think the power pin is the problem. The problem is how your netlist corresponds to the pins in your component. I usually use the same pin numbers for all pins that are the same (multiple pins) on the component. Use only one pin for them in the schematic/netlist. Check that and also provide the output of the DRC test. Martin On Wed, May 27, 2009 at 11:48 AM , Philip Axer wrote: Hi, first off, I'm fairly new to kicad but I couldn't find any useful information for my problem out there: So, I created a new component (voltage regulator) which has 3 power out pins (all of the same potential). Now I'm trying to use my new component in an actual design, thus I connect all power out pins of the regulator to the same power net. The issue that the DRC throws some errors because only one pin is allowed to drive a power net. How to solve this issue? Philip -- Dipl.-Ing. Philip Axer Institut für Datentechnik und Kommunikationsnetze Hans-Sommer-StraÃe 66 38106 Braunschweig Tel +49 (531) 391 9662 Fax +49 (531) 391 3750
[kicad-users] Re: Is there a fast way to move reference designators?
Hi there, I had exactly the same issue - and unfortunately no solution to you. In my opinion, Kicad needs plenty more shortcuts, a dedicatd one for move designator and rotate designator would be perfect. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, earthysmell earthysm...@... wrote: So far my kicad experience has been great. I've got my first board almost finished and now its time to move the arrange the reference designators for my closely spaced SMT components. Every time I want to move a designator I start by right clicking and then have to specify that I want to select the reference, then from the next menu I select reference and finally move. Way too slow. I've used other layout tools that let you chose the section mode (with a mode for designators only) so that no clarification is needed. This allows you to move silk around with a single click (like hitting the M key to move a component in kicad.) Is there a quick way to do this??
[kicad-users] Re: Solder Paste
Hi Robert, Interesting manufacturer you've got there. No, Kicad does not have the ability to shrink the solder past pads as it can increase pad sizes on solder resist layer. I myself just finished a PCB where I only had to shrink solder paste for 2 fine-pitch connectors. I did it by not using the original pad for paste but added a smaler drawing for each pad. Man, that was a lot of work, the connector has 60 pins. On the standard components, the manufacturer said it's ok to leave it 1:1. Aparently, the needed shrinkage depends on pad size and how the stencil is manufactures (etched, lasered, electro-polished) but also on the thickness of the stencil. Maybe going to a thinner stencil might be a solution for you, they are usually available down to 100um/4mil. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Robert birmingham_spi...@... wrote: Hi all, I've been asked to shrink the size of the solder paste windows relative to the pads by 0.04mm, ie if a pad is a 1mm diameter circle, I've been asked to make the solder paste window 0.96mm in diameter. Does anyone know how I might achieve this please, either with kicad or via some post-processing stage? Regards, Robert.
[kicad-users] Re: From Altium Designer to Kicad
Hi Damian, I had the same issue: Had a copy of Protel (old version of AD) installed but not being able to use it for commercial projects due to license issues. Then I tried to buy 2nd-hand versions: It is not possible due to their stringent license policy - except in a few countries where laws force them to allow customers to sell of their license. Then I considered to buy a new version but when I heard the price I could only laugh! They aparently added some nice functions for programmable logic - but I don't need that stuff and I am not willing to pay for it. Finally I tried Kicad and - yes - it took some time to fully get into it and in some perspectives it might not be as convenient and smooth as AD is. But after all it is a nice package, easy to use yet very powerful. And it gives you excellent value for money! I might need to mention that I have been using around 5 different PCB CAD packages over the last 15 years and there is no perfect one. Even the expensive packages like PADS do have some issues - but you pay a good 5-digit dollar-figure for it. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, ins_er ins...@... wrote: Hello. I use Altium Designer (AD) and I work too much to learn this software, finally I can make designs easily, but my AD is not legal. I want change to Kicad, but I have problem to take decision. Someone have experience with AD and Kicad? I apologize. My English is too poor, I hope understand. thanks Damian
[kicad-users] Re: Fiducilas
Hi Pedro, As Mihai explains in the next post, it's recommended/advised for optical recognision. Again, the solder-mask free area is easy to do, it's the copper filling that had to be done by a cut-out Actually, I am happy with Kicad. Such a great piece of software, extremely good value for money. My other option would have been Eagle, not bad but I used it some years ago and I think I outgrow it a bit ;-) Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Pedro Martin pki...@... wrote: Hi, I cannot understand why a mask clearance of 3 mm around the fiducial. I have fiducials of 1 and 0.8 mm. I create a zone with no cut-outs, I include the fiducials into the zone and kicad avoid the fiducials with the zone clearance value stated in the zone settings. And I set the standard (for my manufacturers from 0.1 mm) mask clearance. In fact, fiducials are placed closer than 2 mm to some components. Excuse me, are you sure than the no-solder-mask area is 3 mm and not fiducial diametre + 0.3 mm? Good luck with kicad, Pedro. Hi all, Yes, agreed, and yes again. I am using a component that is just put into the schematics and appeears on the PCB. So far I am following the - normally - recommened approach to have the design consistent. When trying to make things the right way it comes to also following the manufacturers recommendation which is to have a pad of ~1mm diameter with a no-solder-mask area of about 3mm diameter. Yes, they usually can cope with other things, I just wanted to know what's possible in Kicad. Plus I am using a new manufacturer this time... The inner pad is no problem at all, just an unconnected pad wich is perfectly avoided by the copper fill. But when it comes to the ring, Kicad does not support pad-stacks or keep-out areas. Means, I can not create an area of no copper fill in the footprint (module). Yes, to avoid copper flooding, I can manually create zone cut-outs for each pad. There are only 2 drawbacks to this. Firstly, they have to be done one by one and not only once at footprint (module) desing level. And secondly, they are not round because there is no circular shape available for zone cut-outs. All in all, it is of course not holding me back from making that PCB and having fiducials, the original question was more about whether there is an easier way that I didn't see. One word about workarounds and fighting/using a software package: One normally does not change CAD packages like underwear. Once you have commited to a particular one you soon start putting lots of effort into it to get your design working. In the case of Kicad, I put quite some time into generating a library that is suitable for my needs in supporting unique part stock numbers. Which means, that for the next issue I will go for a workaround instead of dropping Kicad and going to the next CAD package. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Pedro Martin pkicad@ wrote: Hi all, My fiducials are smd modules with only 1 round pin. There are added into pcbnew from add module on the rigth menu. They are not in the netlist. When creating a zone they are avoided. Try and see how it works. Pedro. On Tuesday 10 March 2009 23:37:16 oecherexpat wrote: Hi Dan, When designing the ring, see to that it is connected to an unused component part. This way, the zone filler will avoid it. You mean like a pad? How can I connect it to a signal? It is not a pad but just a drawing on the copper layer so Kicad wouldn't let me connect it to a signal. Originally, I was thinking of just adding another pad but it must be a ring and the only way to do this from what I can see is to have a hole in the middle :-( Cheers, Heiko If you DON'T want to connect it, fine - but you still need to define it for zone filler to avoid it. If you DO need to connect it, either turn off the design rule check - or do it as it should be done: Design it as a pad with a connection on your component. If you don't want/need a connection, invent a dummy connection in the library/module editor for you component. Trust me! ( I'm not a doctor ) If you start tweaking the design checks and do a lot of workarounds, it WILL(!) come back and bite you in the proverbial rectum! If you run into a small problem like this, solve it the right way - it takes the same amount of time doing it correct compared to the time spent on a tweak. Finally, use KiCad, don't fight it! //Dan, M0DFI
[kicad-users] Re: Fiducilas
Hi all, Yes, agreed, and yes again. I am using a component that is just put into the schematics and appeears on the PCB. So far I am following the - normally - recommened approach to have the design consistent. When trying to make things the right way it comes to also following the manufacturers recommendation which is to have a pad of ~1mm diameter with a no-solder-mask area of about 3mm diameter. Yes, they usually can cope with other things, I just wanted to know what's possible in Kicad. Plus I am using a new manufacturer this time... The inner pad is no problem at all, just an unconnected pad wich is perfectly avoided by the copper fill. But when it comes to the ring, Kicad does not support pad-stacks or keep-out areas. Means, I can not create an area of no copper fill in the footprint (module). Yes, to avoid copper flooding, I can manually create zone cut-outs for each pad. There are only 2 drawbacks to this. Firstly, they have to be done one by one and not only once at footprint (module) desing level. And secondly, they are not round because there is no circular shape available for zone cut-outs. All in all, it is of course not holding me back from making that PCB and having fiducials, the original question was more about whether there is an easier way that I didn't see. One word about workarounds and fighting/using a software package: One normally does not change CAD packages like underwear. Once you have commited to a particular one you soon start putting lots of effort into it to get your design working. In the case of Kicad, I put quite some time into generating a library that is suitable for my needs in supporting unique part stock numbers. Which means, that for the next issue I will go for a workaround instead of dropping Kicad and going to the next CAD package. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Pedro Martin pki...@... wrote: Hi all, My fiducials are smd modules with only 1 round pin. There are added into pcbnew from add module on the rigth menu. They are not in the netlist. When creating a zone they are avoided. Try and see how it works. Pedro. On Tuesday 10 March 2009 23:37:16 oecherexpat wrote: Hi Dan, When designing the ring, see to that it is connected to an unused component part. This way, the zone filler will avoid it. You mean like a pad? How can I connect it to a signal? It is not a pad but just a drawing on the copper layer so Kicad wouldn't let me connect it to a signal. Originally, I was thinking of just adding another pad but it must be a ring and the only way to do this from what I can see is to have a hole in the middle :-( Cheers, Heiko If you DON'T want to connect it, fine - but you still need to define it for zone filler to avoid it. If you DO need to connect it, either turn off the design rule check - or do it as it should be done: Design it as a pad with a connection on your component. If you don't want/need a connection, invent a dummy connection in the library/module editor for you component. Trust me! ( I'm not a doctor ) If you start tweaking the design checks and do a lot of workarounds, it WILL(!) come back and bite you in the proverbial rectum! If you run into a small problem like this, solve it the right way - it takes the same amount of time doing it correct compared to the time spent on a tweak. Finally, use KiCad, don't fight it! //Dan, M0DFI
[kicad-users] Re: Fiducilas
Hi Dan, When designing the ring, see to that it is connected to an unused component part. This way, the zone filler will avoid it. You mean like a pad? How can I connect it to a signal? It is not a pad but just a drawing on the copper layer so Kicad wouldn't let me connect it to a signal. Originally, I was thinking of just adding another pad but it must be a ring and the only way to do this from what I can see is to have a hole in the middle :-( Cheers, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Consolidated BOM
Hi Harold, By inverted do you mean a check mark means its not case sensitive? Exactly, when the tick-box is selected it is NOT case sensitive, and vice versa. Cheers, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Drill Holes
In that case you might want to add a ring on the comments or drawing layer as otherwise it is difficult to see the hole: It is shown as a black hole ;-) If you do power planes you also might want to create a cut-out around the holes to keep the copper filling away. This can only be done in the design, not by editing the component. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, hvontres hvont...@... wrote: Actually, you could edit the pad settings and uncheck the component and copper layer boxes for the pad, leaving only a drill hole.
[kicad-users] Fiducilas
I tried to create a fiducial. PCB manufacturer's requirement is to have a round copper pad of 1mm diameter with a copper-free and solder-resist-free area of 3mm around it. Creating the solder-resist-free area is no problem but to have the area copper-free I added a little copper ring of 3mm diameter. Unfortunateley, the zone filling function does not care about the copper ring and just over-fills it. Anyone with an idea how to solve this? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Consolidated BOM
Hi Harold, Nice job, thanks. I can confirm that it also works under Excel 2007, just need to be enabled as an add-in. Could it be that the case-sensitive option works inverted? Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldk...@... wrote: Hi Heiko, I have made some major changes and released a newer version of the program. New features includes: - user-friendly interface - menu-driven functions - supports 3 field separator types (TAB, comma and semicolon) - added case sensitivity option - better error handling - saving settings - small footprint installer http://cybercircuits.co.cc/blog/?p=13 Hope you like all the changes. Cheers, Harold --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Perfect! Many thanks again!
[kicad-users] Re: Keep-out areas or no-fill areas
Hi Dick, The cut-out function is ok when editing boards, however it is not available when editing components, means you have to do it one-by-one on the board - which will do for most situations. The other thing is that I find it difficult to create circular cut-outs, whereevr possible I go for square/rectangular ones. I am actually currently using option B. But the PCB might need to go throuh a solder-wave too so I don't want to have exposed copper on the bottom. Therefore I removed the bottom pad of the hole so that the copper fills now the whole area including the hole. Shouldn't be a problem as PCB manufacturers normally take care of those things and maintain a minimum distance of drill holes to copper areas. So I might go for copper pads on both sides of the hole and just leave the solder mask over the bottom pad, that should do the job for now. While I was doing the PCB I found that when there are zones on a layer and an overall zone e.g. for a power plane is created on the same layer, all existing zones must obviously be exluded with cut-out areas. As an idea for some future version: What about if there would be zones as they are now and power-plane-zones which would be very similar but would automaticaly have cut-outs for any other zone on the same layer. Or this could be done as a standard feature: If there is a zone inside another zone on the same layer it would automatically get a cut-out around. Anyway, thanks for the help. Cheers, Heiko A) There is the Cut Out menu choice found in the zone menu while the zone tool is active. You can place voids or holes in any copper area (zone). or better: B) If you define all the contact points of your parts as pins, including the mounting studs, then in the schematic show them as not connected by using the 'X' No Conn item, then they will show up in the net list as not connected. This in turn will cause the zone fill algorithm to stay away from that pin when filling. Dick
[kicad-users] Re: Zone fill freezes PCBnew!
Hi Jean-Pierre, You are absolutly right, it's set in inches not thous/mils as I thought. Switching to mm would have made it obvious, I am afraid I am just too used to the metric system. Thanks for the help, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, jean-pierre charras - INPG jean-pierre.char...@... wrote: oecherexpat a écrit : Hi Jean-Pierre, Please find the file WMD-20090227. brd in the files area inside the Zone filling issue folder. As mentioned, I tried the latest stable version as well as 20090118 (which actually shows 20090107 in the header), both under XP SP3. Can also try on Ubuntu 8.04 in a few days if it would help. Thanks, Heiko I am working on this. But you have a zone clearance = 20 inches for all zones. This is that freezes Pcbnew With a decent clearance value (i tested 0.02 ), Pcbnew works fine. -- 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) Grenoble France
[kicad-users] Re: Consolidated BOM
Hi Harold, Just tried V1.5.1 and found that at least with Excel 2007 it doesn't seem to recognise the macro any more: It's not using the *.lst filter when opening and starts the text import filter rather then the macro. On V1.5 all this was working fine. Cheers, Heiko P.S. I'm in Christchurch, today's miserable weather zone. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldk...@... wrote: Hi Heiko, Just to let you know that I have made some changes to the MS Excel file. It should now parse all the rows and columns (basically the entire file). Cheers, Harold P.S. Yes I live in NZ too, I'm in Auckland. Where abouts are you? :-) --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Hi Harold, Thanks, it's indeed including all my other data to the BOM. And I figured another challenge: The BOM has grown further because I added some more components. Means, I have some same components further down the list. Here's an example: R1 10K 0805 R2 10K 0805 R3 47K 0805 R4 10K 0805 Looks to me that the macro scan the next line but not the entire file, right? The result I see would be for the above example: 2R1, R210K0805 1R347K0805 1R410K0805 Cheers, Heiko P.S. Just saw that you live in NZ, too ;-) --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldking@ wrote: Hi Heiko, I have released an updated version. This includes processing of all used column even when you have manually inserted a column or not plus all the checked fields from Eeschema. Any features you want to include kindly drop me a line. Regards, Harold --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Hi Harold, Thanks a lot, it is in fact a real help in generating BOMs. However, I am squeezing everithing out of Kicad, that's - I guess - the reason why on my system it did only half the job by leaving quite some lines unconsilidated and only uses the first 3 columns. Let me explain: Instead of using simple names for schematic components like 10K I rather use long and complex names like 10K_1%_W125_0805. Reason is that I use the name as part identifier ans link these to a unique stock/order number and some other information within the extra fields. Means, I am using most of the remaining fields. I am also not sure, how compatible the different MS-Office versions are in terms of handling macros. I am currently using Office 2007. I'll run more tests and will try to impove the macro but unfortunately I am flat out with the job for the next few weeks :-( Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldking@ wrote: Hi Heiko, Here's the MS Excel that you need to consolidate your BOM (including instructions on how to use it). Hope you find it useful. You can get the instructions here http://cybercircuits.co.cc/blog/?p=13 Any bug kindly let me know. Cheers Harold --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Kicad always creates the BOM with one part per line only. A suggestion to add a function was aparently never implemented (I found some nice screenshots in the files area). So, what I need is a tool that creates out of this: R1 10K 0805 R2 10K 0805 R3 47K 0805 something like this: 2R1, R210K0805 1R347K0805 Does anyone have a solution how to create consolidated BOMs by using Openoffice (or MS-Office)? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Consolidated BOM
Perfect! Many thanks again! --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldk...@... wrote: Hi Heiko, Sorry I missed that part. I will upload the new file now. It will only take a minute or two. Cheers, Harold P.S. Todat's weather in Auckland is starting be miserable as well. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Hi Harold, Just tried V1.5.1 and found that at least with Excel 2007 it doesn't seem to recognise the macro any more: It's not using the *.lst filter when opening and starts the text import filter rather then the macro. On V1.5 all this was working fine. Cheers, Heiko P.S. I'm in Christchurch, today's miserable weather zone.
[kicad-users] Keep-out areas or no-fill areas
Is there any way to prevent the fill function from filling areas when creating components? I have some mechanical parts which I don't want to mount onto the GND filling. The only way I can see to achieve this is to define keep-outs for the individual GND plane. Or is there any other way to do it? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Zone fill freezes PCBnew!
Hi Jean-Pierre, Please find the file WMD-20090227.brd in the files area inside the Zone filling issue folder. As mentioned, I tried the latest stable version as well as 20090118 (which actually shows 20090107 in the header), both under XP SP3. Can also try on Ubuntu 8.04 in a few days if it would help. Thanks, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, jean-pierre.char...@... jean-pierre.char...@... wrote: oecherexpat a écrit : Hm, that was too early. Just tried to fill zones again with the more progressed board and - guess what - the zone fill function is freezing PCBnew again!! Even the lates version! In general I agree with you opinion about stability. And I understand that an automated filling of a complex shape is everything but simple. Cheers, Heiko Please, send me your board file. -- 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 : GIPSA-LIS - INPG Rue de la Houille Blanche 38400 Saint Martin d'Heres
[kicad-users] Re: Consolidated BOM
Hi Harold, Thanks, it's indeed including all my other data to the BOM. And I figured another challenge: The BOM has grown further because I added some more components. Means, I have some same components further down the list. Here's an example: R1 10K 0805 R2 10K 0805 R3 47K 0805 R4 10K 0805 Looks to me that the macro scan the next line but not the entire file, right? The result I see would be for the above example: 2R1, R210K0805 1R347K0805 1R410K0805 Cheers, Heiko P.S. Just saw that you live in NZ, too ;-) --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldk...@... wrote: Hi Heiko, I have released an updated version. This includes processing of all used column even when you have manually inserted a column or not plus all the checked fields from Eeschema. Any features you want to include kindly drop me a line. Regards, Harold --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Hi Harold, Thanks a lot, it is in fact a real help in generating BOMs. However, I am squeezing everithing out of Kicad, that's - I guess - the reason why on my system it did only half the job by leaving quite some lines unconsilidated and only uses the first 3 columns. Let me explain: Instead of using simple names for schematic components like 10K I rather use long and complex names like 10K_1%_W125_0805. Reason is that I use the name as part identifier ans link these to a unique stock/order number and some other information within the extra fields. Means, I am using most of the remaining fields. I am also not sure, how compatible the different MS-Office versions are in terms of handling macros. I am currently using Office 2007. I'll run more tests and will try to impove the macro but unfortunately I am flat out with the job for the next few weeks :-( Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldking@ wrote: Hi Heiko, Here's the MS Excel that you need to consolidate your BOM (including instructions on how to use it). Hope you find it useful. You can get the instructions here http://cybercircuits.co.cc/blog/?p=13 Any bug kindly let me know. Cheers Harold --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Kicad always creates the BOM with one part per line only. A suggestion to add a function was aparently never implemented (I found some nice screenshots in the files area). So, what I need is a tool that creates out of this: R1 10K 0805 R2 10K 0805 R3 47K 0805 something like this: 2R1, R210K0805 1R347K0805 Does anyone have a solution how to create consolidated BOMs by using Openoffice (or MS-Office)? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Clean link list
I know, it is a bit off-topic and I know that everybody is busy (including myself) but does anyone have full access to this yahoo group and could clean all the ad junk from the link list. Thanks.
[kicad-users] Zone fill freezes PCBnew!
Hm, that was too early. Just tried to fill zones again with the more progressed board and - guess what - the zone fill function is freezing PCBnew again!! Even the lates version! In general I agree with you opinion about stability. And I understand that an automated filling of a complex shape is everything but simple. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Robert birmingham_spi...@... wrote: I'm using 20080825c, same as you. Fortunately the crashing wasn't an insurmountable problem for me, but I'm pleased to hear it sounds like it's been fixed. One of the things that impressed me about kicad when I first used it was its stability. I too think the developers have done a brilliant job, though personally I wouldn't limit that to the last few months :). Regards, Robert. oecherexpat wrote: I just downloaded build 20090118 (unstable) and all problems were gone immideately! Because it's an intermediate version I won't use it for general editing but for the filling process at the end. I think the developers have done a brilliant job in the last few months! Cheers, Heiko I played a bit more and I can reproducably crash PCBnew when adding a new rectangular zone anywhere on my PCB! I also tried to remove parts (tracks, components, etc) to find out what might hold up the zone filling function. Aa a result, it really comes down to stating with a bare board again :-( Have you tried the latest build - and if yes, is there any improvement? Thanks, Heiko Just to say I was doing something similar recently and kicad crashed on me a number of times whilst zone filling (the crash generally being preceded by a delay), so it looks like something's not quite right in the zone filling code. The crashes seemed completely random, so I've not been able to put together a useful bug report. I have some Windows crash interception and reporting code if the Kicad authors are interested. Unfortunately I don't think it could be made to work on Linux because it traps structured exceptions, but it sure beats trawling through the code looking for oversights. Regards, Robert. oecherexpat wrote: I did create some (around 5) zones on one layer. When trying to fill the first one, PCBnew did freeze. Same result when trying to fill all zones. Is anyone else experiencing similar issues. Or does it just take ages for PCBnew to do the filling? Does it depend on the complexity/shapes of the zones? I am using V20080825c on WinXP Thanks, Heiko 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: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.10.25/1955 - Release Date: 02/16/09 06:55:00
[kicad-users] Re: Consolidated BOM
Hi Harold, Thanks a lot, it is in fact a real help in generating BOMs. However, I am squeezing everithing out of Kicad, that's - I guess - the reason why on my system it did only half the job by leaving quite some lines unconsilidated and only uses the first 3 columns. Let me explain: Instead of using simple names for schematic components like 10K I rather use long and complex names like 10K_1%_W125_0805. Reason is that I use the name as part identifier ans link these to a unique stock/order number and some other information within the extra fields. Means, I am using most of the remaining fields. I am also not sure, how compatible the different MS-Office versions are in terms of handling macros. I am currently using Office 2007. I'll run more tests and will try to impove the macro but unfortunately I am flat out with the job for the next few weeks :-( Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Harold King Tarun haroldk...@... wrote: Hi Heiko, Here's the MS Excel that you need to consolidate your BOM (including instructions on how to use it). Hope you find it useful. You can get the instructions here http://cybercircuits.co.cc/blog/?p=13 Any bug kindly let me know. Cheers Harold --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Kicad always creates the BOM with one part per line only. A suggestion to add a function was aparently never implemented (I found some nice screenshots in the files area). So, what I need is a tool that creates out of this: R1 10K 0805 R2 10K 0805 R3 47K 0805 something like this: 2R1, R210K0805 1R347K0805 Does anyone have a solution how to create consolidated BOMs by using Openoffice (or MS-Office)? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Consolidated BOM
Kicad always creates the BOM with one part per line only. A suggestion to add a function was aparently never implemented (I found some nice screenshots in the files area). So, what I need is a tool that creates out of this: R1 10K 0805 R2 10K 0805 R3 47K 0805 something like this: 2R1, R210K0805 1R347K0805 Does anyone have a solution how to create consolidated BOMs by using Openoffice (or MS-Office)? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Consolidated BOM
That's good. But how? I believe it can be done in Spreadsheet (OpenOffice/MS Office) --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, oecherexpat heiko.lange@ wrote: Kicad always creates the BOM with one part per line only. A suggestion to add a function was aparently never implemented (I found some nice screenshots in the files area). So, what I need is a tool that creates out of this: R1 10K 0805 R2 10K 0805 R3 47K 0805 something like this: 2R1, R210K0805 1R347K0805 Does anyone have a solution how to create consolidated BOMs by using Openoffice (or MS-Office)? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Zones
I did create some (around 5) zones on one layer. When trying to fill the first one, PCBnew did freeze. Same result when trying to fill all zones. Is anyone else experiencing similar issues. Or does it just take ages for PCBnew to do the filling? Does it depend on the complexity/shapes of the zones? I am using V20080825c on WinXP Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Editing hotkeys
Hello, I would like to put more commands on hotkeys/shortcuts. The automatically created file seems to be self-explaining except one thing: How do I know the names of the commands that I can assign?? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Moving parts of a schematic from one sub-sheet to another
Hi guys, I want to re-organise one of larger schematics which spreads over a few schematic pages. While I can individually save and re-integrate whole sheets I can not find a solution to only save and re-load parts of a sheet like blocks. Well, that's not completely true: There is a command so save a block. But how can I get that block loaded back in somewhere??? Thanks, Heiko.
[kicad-users] Re: managing parts in kicad
That's the way I do it: I created a schematics symbol library and a footprint/module library where I put all my stuff in. As I am using the fields in a different way anyway (all symbols with manufacturers part numbers and fixed to a footprint) I am converting more and more parts into my standard library, removing more and more KICAD libraries from the list as they can interfere with my stuff when having the same name. Works well so far with a few hundered components in there yet. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Dimitris Lampridis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:12:04 -0700 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 3 Oct 2008 at 14:53, Martin Mortensen wrote: I modified a part, (capacitor) added the value, part number, etc. fields and saved it in the local library. When I add it to the schematic I only get the default fields not the ones I added. What am I missing here? What is the best way to manage part information with kicad? I'm used to a system with a part database where I can select the part from the database and the symbol comes into the schematic with all the data. For each project, I make a schematic library and a mod library. I copy parts from the supplied library and modify as necessary to the new library I created. You should not modify supplied libraries as they may get overriden if you upgrade Kicad. I use field1 for the part #(usually DigiKey, sometimes Mouser) and field2 for the cost. If you fill in the footprint field, then cvprt will automatically assign that footprint to your part. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com I'm also still trying to figure out the best way to manage efficiently my custom symbols and footprints. Your idea is nice Dave, but there is a logical gap I believe: How do you manage to remember which project used what? If at a certain point you want to reuse something from your older projects, say an already modified symbol, how do you figure out in which past project you created it? There is also the kicad.pro template project. If you make new libraries and add them to that project, then every new project will inherit them automatically. So in theory you could have a directory somewhere safe, away from the built-in libraries, where you create all your custom libraries and add them to kicad.pro project. Then another question is, can we put this directory and all its library files under version control (like CVS)? If yes, then one could synchronize the libraries in his office PC with the ones in his home PC, at the click of a button. Is there anything binary in library files? I think I read on the wiki that everything is text, so version control would work like a charm, modifying the contents of the text files with new component declarations. Cheers, Dimitris
[kicad-users] Re: Defining , adding library
Has actually anyone experienced any negative effect when adding all libraries like slowdown of Kicad for instance? I am planning to add all converted libraries to my lists, might be a bit too much but that way I would have them all on hand. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 27 Jul 2008 at 7:37, microcozmoz wrote: Hi All, I downloaded some library files which has .lib and .mod extension.I move this to files into to corresponding directory of kicad. Bu I cant see this library in the library browse window in eeschema. Ýs there another way to add and define a downloaded library in eeschema and pcbnew? Regards. You have to go to Preferences, then Libs and Directories and add the new libraries to the list. You have to do the same in PCBNew for the .mod files Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
[kicad-users] Re: How to insert a 3mm drill hole in pcbnew?
Hi Thomas, You can do it the way Remy does it but I normally create a seperate part (module) with the module editor that only consists of the drill hole and some silkscreen drawing which I use in this case as a distance marker e.g. for a drill hole of 3mm diameter I draw a silkscreen circle of 6-7mm to be used as keep-out area. I actually go one step further and also do add a schematics symbol, mainly as a reminder but also to make it consistent. Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Thomas Westerhoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I need to insert a 3mm drill hole in my board. How can I do this? -- Thomas Westerhoff Friedensstrasse 101 99334 Eischleben Homepage: http://www.astrohome.info http://www.sternwarte-kirchheim.de
[kicad-users] Re: Multiple sheets
But you DO HAVE a root sheet, right? I actually never tried not to connect global signals on the root sheet. Is it that what you mean? And I have to use seperate files for seperate sheets, right? Cheers, Heiko. Just use the Global Labels that eliminate the need to connect them at the root level. Officila argument (past messages) is that you will need a list of files somewhere, so consider the root list to be that ... A better solution would require a new project manager, which in fact is one of todays limitations of kicad, jist my humble oppinion :) Alain
[kicad-users] Re: What do you use for power in schematics?
I agree, the power flag is strange but as long as it's only needed for DRC it does not create sources of errors. What I menat was just to use power signals as normal signals, e.g. having a signal called GND and a signal called +3.3V. Reason is that during the development process the voltage sometimes changes, for instance from 3.3V to 3.0V then to 2.8V: Less voltage= onger battery life. With the standard setup I have to remove all power devices and have to put new ones in. Using as signal I only have to change the signal name. Good to know about the power device pin-length error, thanks. What changes did you actually do to the symbols? Cheers, Heiko. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Alain M. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have no officila info, but I did some research: kicad uses power-out and power-in as attributes, most cads use only one kind of Power. This is what brings in that strange beast called Power-flag which in fact is only a power-out pin because the ERC believes that all power in the universe has to come from somewhere AND from only one place. IMHO this could be removed from ERC and everything woud get much more normal. BUT, there is one gotcha: there is a bug in power/grownd connections that do not accept a pin with length more then 0. I did manage do change a few things by changing one thing at a time, which takes an awfull lot of time. Alain
[kicad-users] Pad clearance
It's nice to have the pad clearance shown in pcbnew. But where can it be adjusted? Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Filled areas on technical layers
Does anyone know how I can create a *filled* rectangle on a technical layer? I would like to add some areas with no solder resist but can't find how to fill the thing... Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Creating components....
I am starting to create some components and stumbled across some things someone else might have already solved: - When creating schematic symbols, the name equals the value. Is there a way to have different name and value, for instance I would like to have 10K as value but SRES 10K 0805 1% as name? - When I created the schematics symbol I limited the footprint via filter to SM0805. And this was the only one shown in cvpcb but when I used automatic assiciation it choose SM1206. Bug or feature? - When creating lines in the footprint editor I can't select the layer I'm drawing on, I can only change it afterwards. Is there a better way to do it? - When creating or changing component footprints I can choose the layer for lines etc. But can't find a way to chose layers for texts. I am normally using 2 Silkscreens, one as silkscreen and one as printout where the structures are smaller and more information is shown. - Finally: Is there a way to change layer names, just for convenience? Thanks for your help in advance, Heiko P.S.: Can't resist some comment about the package, sorry: The guys are doing a great thing creating such a piece of software. I could never do it, I'm just not enough into application software development. But isn't C++ a very structured language. I am sometimes surprised that certain features are not implemented. I would have thought that it all starts with some primitives like lines and circles being then compined into shapes being combined to padstacks and tracks or component using several layers. I guess I am really not into software development.
[kicad-users] Re: Pad definitions and holes
Just tried the latest SVN and got the same result: No reaction on 'edit via' and 'change width - edit via' does only change the pad but not the hole. Only the alt value setting works. Looks like I am limited to 2 via drill diameters for the moment... --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, kajdas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am using the latest SVN version and I believe this was fixed because there are a few other changes with vias. You may download one of the 'nightly-builds' to get it. I compile my own version on Linux but I use Windows XP version also. oecherexpat [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Looks like this is already recognised as an issue, it's files as a bug under #1845333 in the sourceforge tracker.
[kicad-users] How many via drill diameters
When creating a drill file KiCAD asks me what drill diameter to use. I can enter only *one* diameter, does that mean I can not use different drill diameters for vias, e.g a small one for signal lines and larger ones for power signals? Or is there a way to enter more than one via drill diameter? Thanks in advance, Heiko
[kicad-users] Re: Pick and Place File
Hi there, You have to 'change' some components first: - In the PCB editor window right-click on a component and choose 'Footprint' - 'Edit' - Under the 'Properties' tab on the right-hand side change Attributes from 'Normal' to 'Normal+Insert' - Close window with 'OK' and try in the main menu 'Postprocess'-'Create Module Pos' again. This time it will create a *.pos file in your project directory Cheers, Heiko Thank you, i found it. Now i tested this Postprocess/Create Cmp option. I made a simple pcb with three components (i placed two on top and one on bottom). This was the output the the kicad created: - Cmp-Mod V01 Genere par PcbNew le 11/4/2008-08:08:33 BeginCmp TimeStamp = 47FF19B1 Reference = SO8E; ValeurCmp = VAL**; IdModule = SO8E; EndCmp BeginCmp TimeStamp = 47FF1A58 Reference = SO16L; ValeurCmp = V***; IdModule = SO16L; EndCmp BeginCmp TimeStamp = 47FF1B31 Reference = SO14E; ValeurCmp = Val; IdModule = SO14E; EndCmp EndListe -- Is this all it outputs? Shouldn't be there also the component location and the orientation information? There was only one file created instead of two. Why is that?
[kicad-users] Re: Pad definitions and holes
Hm, actually that sounds good enough for me but: Under right-click- edit I can only chose between std hole and alt hole size. I also tried to add more via diameters and drill holes under menu- dimensions-tracks and vias. But I can only enter *one* diameter and *two* drill diameters. Plus, when I create a drill file I am only asked for a single via drill diameter. So, how could you enter more than this??? --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, kajdas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The way I do it is to right click on via, then Edit. You can change each via to be different. If there is a better way, let us know. oecherexpat [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: How did you get more than one via hole size placed? As far as I understand I can only use 'standard drill size' and 'alternative drill size'.
[kicad-users] Viewable layers
I tried to find it in the docs and FAQs but no success: Is it possible to switch layers to be invisible? The high contrast switch is fine in most cases but especially on multi-layer boards I sometimes need to concentrate on only one or a few layers and would like to disable the others completely. Thanks, Heiko
[kicad-users] Panelisation
Is there a way of doing a panelisation? I have to create 3 PCBs on one panel anyway and thought it would be a good idea to save the money and do the whole panelisation myself. Would also give me a better respond time to our PCB manufacturer who always wants to have done something in a different way ;-) I know people who use Circad or Eagle and do things like this with a script but a simple block copy that keeps component designators (most important!) would be good enough. Any way to get that done?
[kicad-users] Re: Removing inner pads with vias
Looks like we are missing a pad-stack editor. I am sure I will run into the sam issue soon: Nex board will be a 4-layer and I know that at least one of the PBC manufacturers doesn't want unconnected inner annular rings. Is it already on the wish list? Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, kajdas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Yes, I did that, I use standard vias, 0.01 drill. 0.025 pad, no micro, no buried, no blind. I just need to specify different pad size (or remove) on inner layer.
[kicad-users] Re: Removing inner pads with vias
Yep, it's a pretty common requirement to have inner rings larger than the ones on the surface. And, yes, it has something to do with accuracy at the stacking process. So, we are back to square one which means editing the GERBER files or choosing a different manufacturer Cheers, Heiko --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, kajdas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The one I am dealing with wants the outside rings to be at least 0.005 but the inner ones to be at least 0.010 inches. It must be some kind of manufacturing issue (accuracy? alignment?). Either way it boils down to the same problem: different pad sizes for different layers. Martin
