Re: [kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
Julien Bayle wrote: the real question is : what is the differnce between soldcomp maskcomp ??? Maskcomp is the solder mask layer. Soldcomp is the solder paste layer. It is used to make a stencil to apply solder paste. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] I want to like it but...
holman_michael wrote: One of my basic requirements for Schematic capture programs is easy creation and editing of library components. At first, this program looked promising, but I was very disappointed to see that I could not create a new part by starting with an existing one (no clone/copy etc. functionality). I don't even see how you rename a part. It's also strange that, unlike the schematic editor, the library editor has no menu bar (I know it has the icons but it's a little odd and limiting). I don't want to be critical since the program is quite an achievement for a single person, but I know from experience I will be wanting to clone many parts and I think the library interface will frustrate me. I also find the parts placement cumbersome and would prefer a scrollable toolbar like many programs use. It's a bit over the top to invoke a whole window to select a device. I suppose once you get a history list going it's not so bad assuming it saves that information. Edit Component properties. Then edit value/Chip name field. Then when you save the component, it will use your modified name. I create a separate library for each project. I then load a desired part from one of the supplied libraries, change the working library, and then save to my new library. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] KICAD success stories ?
Lothar: I use KICAD to design all of my boards. They vary from DIP parts down to fine pitch (.020 pitch) parts. A PDF of the schematic and board layout for each of my boards is available on my website. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com Lothar Behrens wrote: Hi, is there any resource for success stories about using KICAD? Not only what company but also what circuit / application and what package density / types used. I am asking again, because I would wish to see some projects about targeting mobile phone / smart phone or PDA like complexity. (Especially those parts used in OpenMoko 1973 / FreeRunner) Thanks Lothar -- | Rapid Prototyping | XSLT Codegeneration | http://www.lollisoft.de Lothar Behrens Heinrich-Scheufelen-Platz 2 73252 Lenningen
Re: [kicad-users] Newbie question : pad design
F6ITU wrote: Hi I'm a 3 days old Kicad user (and a totally newbie in CAD CAM software… never touched such a software before, excepted ExpressPCB) I just finished understanding the general idea behind EEschemas, played with the tutorial and some examples, and began to draw my first circuit. So far, everything is working fine (excepted some mysterious duplication of components, stacking one over the other). But I'm now stuck trying to design a new Module (component outline). My problem : I want to add a new component in the module lib, a standard small DPDT relay in a 10 pin dil package (compatible with the standard 10DIP-ELL300 package). This component exists in 2 different pinout : classical DIL thru hole and SMT mount. As I wish to keep the possibility to use either devices one the pcb will be etched, I'd like to draw a module with its 10 thru pins AND 10 CMS rectangular pads in the extension of the thru-hole-pads. (I wonder if I made myself clear… English is definitely not my mother-thong) I try to dig into the Kicad Yahoo group, but couldn't find any answer. Is it possible and how ? lazy_mode ...or did someone allready designed this kind of module \lazy_mode Thanks for your attention Mark I have produced combination thru hole and surface mount modules. Use a thru hole pad and a second surface mount pad. Make both the same pin #. Also, when making a new module or schematic library part, it is better to start a separate library or module library. If you add to the supplied libraries, you risk losing your new parts is you upgrade to a new version of KICAD. I make a separate library for each project and copy parts to it from the standard libraries and then create new parts as needed. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com 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 * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:kicad-users-dig...@yahoogroups.com mailto:kicad-users-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: kicad-users-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [kicad-users] Re: KiCAD Newbie: missing airwires in PCBNEW
Do the pin numbers of the schematic symbol match the pin numbers of the pcb module. If the transister uses pins 1, 2, and 3, the module MUST use pins 1,2, and 3. If the schematic symbol uses B, C, and E, then the module MUST also use B, C, and E. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com High, again me! I did follow Andy's advice and followed 3 times the tutorial, with good results. I'm feeling more familiar now with Kicad. But Now I restarted with my own (of course more complex..) project. I fixed all ERC problems (result is 0 errors) and started to check for the missing airwires in the board with funny results. Let's take out one example: In the scematic there are 10 transistors BC550 (Q1-Q10). All transistors have no airwires. I let Q1-Q5 unchanged and changed only Q6-Q10 to TO92 kicad footprint, reloaded the partslist and: ALL transistors had airwires!?!?! Now I changed Q1-Q10 back to transistors-npn-TO92 from the imported eagle-libs. Result: Q1-Q8 had airwires, Q9 and Q10 not!?!?! Very funny. I tried it with the latest 2008-version and compiled the newest 2009 stable, with the same results. At my point of view there are 2 possible reasons for this behaviour: kicad bug or a general fault with in the sch-file. Does anyone have a tip for me?? Thank you for any help! Nukem36
Re: [kicad-users] Default footprint
Use the library editor and add the footprint to the footprint field. If there is an entry in that field, CVPCB will use that. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com rfg1k wrote: Hi. Can any body tell me how set default footprints for schematic symbols so I can avoid having to use CVpcb to set them individually. I am currently using the latest version 20090216-final. Best Regards Bob. 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
Re: [kicad-users] Simple PCB Only
Victor Faria wrote: All, Is the a way to just jump into the pcb program and start creating without the schematic? what I would like to do do is just go into pcb and start droping in footprint and conect the pins with a line/ rat line and then autoroute. Pcbwizard, diptrace,easypc, and others do this I tried to do it with kicad but I hvent been sucesfull. It could be lack of experiance on my part. I just feel that circuit desin is like twice the work if your just doing simple small to medium boards. thanks victor You can place footprints and route (if you turn the erc) by hand without the schematic. But, to get rat lines and to auto route,you need a net list which is produced from the schematic in Eeschema. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] Placing components on both both sides of pc board...
Yes. Most of my boards have components on both sides. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com jrhennin1 wrote: Can components be placed on both sides of the pc board in pcbnew? 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
Re: [kicad-users] Footprint
AD5VJ Bob wrote: I have designed a circuit and have found a supplier for who has all of the parts I need and the data sheets, ect.. The problem I am having is that I am wanting to put a circuit board mount type 3.55mm audio plug on the drawing for the pcb manufacturer to have the holes there that I need to install it once I get the board back. I have gone to their site and found the audio plug that I want to use, but there are no mechanical measurements for it on the website. Are these connectors so common in their sizes that it is not necessary to specify the holes by using a footprint from the libraries, or do you just put pads on the board where you want it installed? Bob AD5VJ They are definately not all the same physical layout on the holes. If they don't have a drawing, then order one and measure it and make your own module. The dtereo jacks I use on the UHFSDR board are from All Electronics CAT # MJW-12. I made a module for them. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] Gerber File. Getting copper layer, component layer and via hole on on Gerber Fil
jeeshenlee wrote: Hello Everyone, Is there anyway I can get a gerber file which looks like what I get by selecting Print (Copper and Component Layer selected) in PCBnew? I wanted to have the via hole available on the gerber file, is it possible? Thanks. Regards, JeeShen Lee. I see the via pads on my Gerbers,. The holes are defined by the drill file. You need a Gerber viewer to view the files. A good free one is ViewMate. With ViewMate, you must import each Gerber layer. Opening the file does not work. You will also need to import the drill file to see the holes. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] Footprint
AD5VJ Bob wrote: I have windows XPPro I also dont know what to do with the zip file of the files that were converted from Eagle they all say .mod These file types dont match my library files here. All my library files here say .lib .bak .dcm .bck .sym And how do I handle the other compression types is there all windows does is .zip files or I have an application for .rar files but that is it. Bob The .mod files are pcbnew modules. If you have WINRAR, is handles both zip and rar files. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] NEWBIE question
NJ wrote: I'm following the tutorial and when instructed to create a new projest the .sch file never gets created. Help! You need to open Eeschema and then save the file. Dave - WB6DHW wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] Chip Data
AD5VJ Bob wrote: I am looking for a really good online source for component data to use in my designs, also would like to know if anyone knows of an online 'Cookbook' in PDF that I could download. I remember in days past NEC, TI and many other chip manufacturers used to send them to you in the mail free since they were pretty sure you would be using their components for your designs if you had one on the books. 73 fer nw es gud DX, QSL VIA: LotW, BUR, e-QSL Bob AD5VJ http://www.ad5vj.com/ Old Calls WB5ZQU, WY5L/KH3, KE5CTY, N5IET I usually search DigiKey or Mouser for the part. Once the part is found, they have a link to the data sheet. I then save the data sheet in Kicad/library/doc and put a link to the file in the doc tab from lib edit. Then a right click on the part in the schematic brings up the data sheet. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] Re: New User
Bob: When you read the netlist into PCBNEW it places all of the modules on top of each other. You need to cllick on the 2nd icon from the right on top bar(Mode Module). Then in an empty area of the board, right click, select Glob Move and Place. You can then either Move All modules, or Move New Modules(usefull if you have a board partially laid out and changed the netlist and added modules). .ODT is the Open Office format. Open Office is the free alternative to Microsoft Office. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com AD5VJ Bob wrote: I am having a real problem here I made a simple schematic, easy to use and accurate I made the net list I opened and looked over at the layout on the Pcb design app and all I see is the transistor, I do not see the resistors or any of the other components. Also the transistor started out way off of the square boundary and I had to move it inside the boundary lines. I drew a really simple transistor open collector amplifier. I am trying to find an application to play the tutorial (KiCad Tutorial.odt file) but dont know what I should use to view the tutorial on windows. Bob AD5VJ
Re: [kicad-users] Using PCBNEW
ghf082 wrote: Hello All: I do not want to use the schematic part of KiCad but layout a pc board manuallythat is selecting pads, placing them, selecting track width, etc., placing them, etc, Can I do that with Kicad? I am able to route tracks manually but do not seem to be able to place pads where I want them. Any help will be most appreciated. Regards, George You need to place modules rather than individual pads. You could use the module editor to create a module that consists of a single pad. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] Board Cut-out in module
David Brainerd wrote: I need to make a module for a RD70 RF power FET. It requires an oval or square cut-out in the board for mounting to a heatsink. How do I do that? Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com I figured it out. I just needed to select AOval Drill in the Pad properties. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
Re: [kicad-users] How to read the pho files ?
I use ViewMate to view the .pho files. I don't know if they have a Linux version. Never had a problem with the .pho files. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com electric_phil wrote: I just finish routing my pcb, and plot it in Gerber file format which gives me several .pho files ( depend which ones layers I choose ) ... I thought I could read them with Gerbv (a gerber file viewer under Linux ) but it can't load them ... Are these .pho files Gerber format compatibles or just Gerbv non fonctional ? Thanks a lot
