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Deleting all tracks

 

开云体育

Is it possible to delete all tracks at once on a PCB, due to the need to re-size the board and changing the footprints of some components, part way through routing?

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Best Wishes
John Woodgate
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Re: I’ve been deleted.

 

Hello Jeff,
?
Your account looks intact. Did you notice any problems I can help with?
?
Kind regards,

Peter Dalmaris, PhD

Tech Explorations
Online instructor
techexplorations.com


Re: I’ve been deleted.

 

Jeff Miller via groups.io wrote:
Please put me back on. Thank you.






You appear to be on.?

Dale

:-)? :-)


I’ve been deleted.

 

Please put me back on. Thank you.


I have been deleted

 

Please put me back on.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Thank you very much, Tony.

On 2024-08-25 22:44, Tony Casey wrote:
Hi John,

Sorry for the delay, I have been a bit busy lately. Here are the downloaded KiCad files for the Alps RK11K11410KA that I obtained through Farnell. The zip includes the KiCad schematic symbol, PCB footprint and a 3D model.

Please follow the instruction I posted in my earlier reply. You are, of course, free to use the schematic symbol too, although I didn't post anything about how to include personal symbols in your schematic. If you need help with, just reply. I was guessing you don't, since you didn't mention it. Anyway, I don't think the included symbol isn't very interesting, as it's just a block with labelled pins, rather than a graphic depiction of a pot. I also also included the 3D model, in case you are interested in those - I haven't checked how realistic it is. They are fairly easy to add, from the "Properties" option if you use the Footprint Editor on the downloaded footprint. Personally, I always use 3D models now, as it helps a lot in collaborative projects when someone else is doing the mechanical design.

--
Regards,
Tony
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Best Wishes
John Woodgate
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Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Thank you very much. I looked at Mouser, but did not find.

On 2024-08-25 14:09, phil via groups.io wrote:
Mouser has the symbol, footprint and 3D model for download. You need an account to download but don't have to purchase anything.
?
SnapEDA can also make one upon request for free. They don't already have the symbol or footprint, but do have a 3d model of the part.
?
You can also use the Data sheet to make your own symbol and footprint. The datasheet shows the dimensions of both the vertical and horizontal versions of the series. It's a good drawing and a easy part to create your own symbol and footprint from the dimensions.
?
As far as Youtube, some videos are now including transcripts of the video which helps some, and on pretty much all the videos, you can turn on CC (closed captioning) for the video to read along.
-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

Virus-free.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Hi John,

Sorry for the delay, I have been a bit busy lately. Here are the downloaded KiCad files for the Alps RK11K11410KA that I obtained through Farnell. The zip includes the KiCad schematic symbol, PCB footprint and a 3D model.

Please follow the instruction I posted in my earlier reply. You are, of course, free to use the schematic symbol too, although I didn't post anything about how to include personal symbols in your schematic. If you need help with, just reply. I was guessing you don't, since you didn't mention it. Anyway, I don't think the included symbol isn't very interesting, as it's just a block with labelled pins, rather than a graphic depiction of a pot. I also also included the 3D model, in case you are interested in those - I haven't checked how realistic it is. They are fairly easy to add, from the "Properties" option if you use the Footprint Editor on the downloaded footprint. Personally, I always use 3D models now, as it helps a lot in collaborative projects when someone else is doing the mechanical design.

--
Regards,
Tony


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

Mouser has the symbol, footprint and 3D model for download. You need an account to download but don't have to purchase anything.
?
SnapEDA can also make one upon request for free. They don't already have the symbol or footprint, but do have a 3d model of the part.
?
You can also use the Data sheet to make your own symbol and footprint. The datasheet shows the dimensions of both the vertical and horizontal versions of the series. It's a good drawing and a easy part to create your own symbol and footprint from the dimensions.
?
As far as Youtube, some videos are now including transcripts of the video which helps some, and on pretty much all the videos, you can turn on CC (closed captioning) for the video to read along.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

I don't think anyone said that you have to buy the part. I said that I don't often buy from Digikey or Mouser because that often means paying a very high delivery charge. And, of course, you can't get the files if the part is not stocked.

On 2024-08-24 17:42, John Hudak wrote:
I may have missed something....It seemed to be implied that one has to buy the part from digikey or moused and then you would have access to the physical details, e.g. foot print etc.? Is that the case?? The last time I did this, these diagrams/files were free.? Admittedly this was quite a while ago...

On Sat, Aug 24, 2024 at 12:15?PM John Woodgate via <jmw=[email protected]> wrote:

Ah, That is the log (audio) version. I looked for the linear version, but obviously the footprint is the same, so I'll take up your kind offer of the files.

On 2024-08-24 16:44, Tony Casey wrote:
Funny, I found the ALPS ALPINE RK11K11410KA on Farnell UK - they have 96 in stock at ?2.23 at 1off. Is this not what you want?

They also have the full complement of PCB files, which I have downloaded. If you still want to use this, I'll send you the KiCad files to your private email.

--
Regards,
Tony


On 24/08/2024 17:21, John Woodgate wrote:

Farnell doesn't have the part, but Componentsearch lists it, so I asked it to build the footprint, which it flatly refused with a big red banner! I wonder what the problem is.

On 2024-08-24 12:10, John Woodgate wrote:

Thanks, Tony. Yes, I have occasionally been able to buy from Mouser and Digikey without paying the huge devilry charges. I have found a solution to the trimmer pot: I have some with the same layout as TO-5. Now I'm looking for the footprint of Alps RK11K114, which is a spindle pot, the filter frequency control. I have found the dimensions from Mouser., but obviously I will try to follow up your extensive advice about Farnell and ECAD.


-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

Virus-free.
-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

I may have missed something....It seemed to be implied that one has to buy the part from digikey or moused and then you would have access to the physical details, e.g. foot print etc.? Is that the case?? The last time I did this, these diagrams/files were free.? Admittedly this was quite a while ago...

On Sat, Aug 24, 2024 at 12:15?PM John Woodgate via <jmw=[email protected]> wrote:

Ah, That is the log (audio) version. I looked for the linear version, but obviously the footprint is the same, so I'll take up your kind offer of the files.

On 2024-08-24 16:44, Tony Casey wrote:
Funny, I found the ALPS ALPINE RK11K11410KA on Farnell UK - they have 96 in stock at ?2.23 at 1off. Is this not what you want?

They also have the full complement of PCB files, which I have downloaded. If you still want to use this, I'll send you the KiCad files to your private email.

--
Regards,
Tony


On 24/08/2024 17:21, John Woodgate wrote:

Farnell doesn't have the part, but Componentsearch lists it, so I asked it to build the footprint, which it flatly refused with a big red banner! I wonder what the problem is.

On 2024-08-24 12:10, John Woodgate wrote:

Thanks, Tony. Yes, I have occasionally been able to buy from Mouser and Digikey without paying the huge devilry charges. I have found a solution to the trimmer pot: I have some with the same layout as TO-5. Now I'm looking for the footprint of Alps RK11K114, which is a spindle pot, the filter frequency control. I have found the dimensions from Mouser., but obviously I will try to follow up your extensive advice about Farnell and ECAD.


-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

Virus-free.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Ah, That is the log (audio) version. I looked for the linear version, but obviously the footprint is the same, so I'll take up your kind offer of the files.

On 2024-08-24 16:44, Tony Casey wrote:
Funny, I found the ALPS ALPINE RK11K11410KA on Farnell UK - they have 96 in stock at ?2.23 at 1off. Is this not what you want?

They also have the full complement of PCB files, which I have downloaded. If you still want to use this, I'll send you the KiCad files to your private email.

--
Regards,
Tony


On 24/08/2024 17:21, John Woodgate wrote:

Farnell doesn't have the part, but Componentsearch lists it, so I asked it to build the footprint, which it flatly refused with a big red banner! I wonder what the problem is.

On 2024-08-24 12:10, John Woodgate wrote:

Thanks, Tony. Yes, I have occasionally been able to buy from Mouser and Digikey without paying the huge devilry charges. I have found a solution to the trimmer pot: I have some with the same layout as TO-5. Now I'm looking for the footprint of Alps RK11K114, which is a spindle pot, the filter frequency control. I have found the dimensions from Mouser., but obviously I will try to follow up your extensive advice about Farnell and ECAD.


-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

Virus-free.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Funny, I found the ALPS ALPINE RK11K11410KA on Farnell UK - they have 96 in stock at ?2.23 at 1off. Is this not what you want?

They also have the full complement of PCB files, which I have downloaded. If you still want to use this, I'll send you the KiCad files to your private email.

--
Regards,
Tony


On 24/08/2024 17:21, John Woodgate wrote:

Farnell doesn't have the part, but Componentsearch lists it, so I asked it to build the footprint, which it flatly refused with a big red banner! I wonder what the problem is.

On 2024-08-24 12:10, John Woodgate wrote:

Thanks, Tony. Yes, I have occasionally been able to buy from Mouser and Digikey without paying the huge devilry charges. I have found a solution to the trimmer pot: I have some with the same layout as TO-5. Now I'm looking for the footprint of Alps RK11K114, which is a spindle pot, the filter frequency control. I have found the dimensions from Mouser., but obviously I will try to follow up your extensive advice about Farnell and ECAD.



Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Farnell doesn't have the part, but Componentsearch lists it, so I asked it to build the footprint, which it flatly refused with a big red banner! I wonder what the problem is.

On 2024-08-24 12:10, John Woodgate wrote:

Thanks, Tony. Yes, I have occasionally been able to buy from Mouser and Digikey without paying the huge devilry charges. I have found a solution to the trimmer pot: I have some with the same layout as TO-5. Now I'm looking for the footprint of Alps RK11K114, which is a spindle pot, the filter frequency control. I have found the dimensions from Mouser., but obviously I will try to follow up your extensive advice about Farnell and ECAD.


You make it sound simple, but for someone who has never done it successfully, it is not simple.? I have tried and failed too often. There are many steps and questions:

  1. How to make a library, what filename to use and where to save it?
  2. Moving a pad is fairly easy, but how to know what to re-size it to?
  3. How to change the contour lines? Are they lines or rectangles or circles? Some appear to be polygons made of individual lines, so are very difficult to change.
I can't use YouTube videos because I am too deaf to understand the sound. It's not a loudness problem, the people talk too fast and not clearly enough.I will certainly look at Digikey and Mouser, but I am in England, so many of their parts are simply too costly to buy in small quantities.

-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying
-- 
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Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

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Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Agreed - no-one does that.

I found that Under Windows, KiCad creates a folder 'KiCad' in Documents, which has? folders for each top version (e.g. 8.0) and in there are folders for footprints, symbols and other things, so I've used that.

On 2024-08-24 16:07, Andy wrote:
Record the steps -  no one does that ?

The footprints library, providing you are talking about YOUR personal
footprints library then yes put it anywhere.
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Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

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Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

Record the steps - no one does that :-)

The footprints library, providing you are talking about YOUR personal
footprints library then yes put it anywhere.

Don't get confused with the huge numbers of libs that kicad downloads
into it's footprint library.

(You will see these in the global list as well)

Fire up kicad
select preferences

there are two lists that you can use

Manage footprint libraries
Manage Symbol libraries

Select whatever one you need, in this case footprints.

You will get a tabbed window, one tab is global and the other is project
specific.

I think you need to access the project specific via the preferences
option when the project is open, however I very rarely use this, so I
might be wrong. Adding my libs to the global section is what I do.

Select +
give it a nickname
then navigate to your own library
and select it. That's about all there is to it

For convenience you can also move a lib up and down the list which makes
selecting it easier if it's at the top of the list.


Andy


On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 11:59:33 +0100
"John Woodgate" <jmw@...> wrote:

I agree about 'once you get it right', but only if you record the steps?
that worked.

I have a folder called 'Ultrasonic filter KiCad'. Can I put the
'Footprints library' folder in it? I tried that before and it didn't
seem to work, but I don't know how to 'add it to the KiCad search'.

Thanks for the other advice.

On 2024-08-24 11:42, Andy wrote:
It's actually very easy.. just start simple
Like many things once you actually get it right you wonder what all the
fuss is about. :-)



1. Library, just the same as any other directory, store it wherever you
want. Then you select that directory and then save the library into it.
Call the library whatever you want; mine are called
g0poy-footprints g0poy-components

The main thing to remember is to select the correct working directory.
You then just add your directory and libs to the kicad search


2. pad, that's a matter of reading the datasheet and starting from there
for example, you may want to extend the pads to make hand soldering
easier

3. Yes that's a pain you usually have to redraw them

YouTube.
There is a very good caption function , but even more useful is the
playback speed. Nudge it down too 75% and things sound a lot better in
many cases. You do get issues with poor audio at times, but there are
lots of videos to try, so you can usually find something.

The comment about digikey etc is that the sites has many of the
footprints available for download, you don't have to buy anything -
however at least one of them has a UK site I think it's mouser, and I
have used them. (I'm in east London)

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:33:40 +0100
"John Woodgate"<jmw@...> wrote:

Andy




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Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying


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This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
www.avg.com





Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

Thanks, Tony. Yes, I have occasionally been able to buy from Mouser and Digikey without paying the huge devilry charges. I have found a solution to the trimmer pot: I have some with the same layout as TO-5. Now I'm looking for the footprint of Alps RK11K114, which is a spindle pot, the filter frequency control. I have found the dimensions from Mouser., but obviously I will try to follow up your extensive advice about Farnell and ECAD.

On 2024-08-24 11:55, Tony Casey wrote:
You can probably find the find the parts you want in Farnell too, as well as Digikey an Mouser, from whom you can also buy components in the UK, although Farnell is much quicker, and sometimes cheaper. (I still even use Farnell in France, although the stock is mostly held in their Leeds warehouse.) Farnell has ECAD files (schematic symbols, footprints and 3D models) for a large percentage of the components they stock, including lots of trim-pots. What specific parts do you want?

To download the ECAD files, you will have to create a profile on . Almost all the major component retailers use this, which is run by SamacSys and based in the UK. It seems to have by far the most files available. If they don't have the ones you want, you can request that they create them. My experience is that they do this generally in 24hrs or less. Farnell's ECAD files link takes you straight to the login dialogue, but prefixed by "farnell.", but the same login profile will work for all retailers.

To use KiCad effectively, you have to learn how the library system works, and how manage to manage it, even if you never make any symbols and/or footprints yourself.

KiCad deals with schematic symbols and PCB footprints differently. For symbols, each library is one file and may contain many symbols. For footprints, each library is a separate folder, with individual footprint files of type "kicad_mod". Footprints are easier to deal with.

To create a personal footprint library, as opposed to one of the supplied "standard" libraries, you can create it yourself in Windows Explorer.

  1. Decide where you want to keep it, and then simply create a new folder.
  2. Give it a name, e.g.: "MyFootprints.pretty". Don't forget the ".pretty" bit. KiCad will not see it unless it has that naming format. If you download a lot of footprints, you might want to catalogue them separately into types along the same lines as the "standard" libraries.
  3. Then from the top level KiCad application: Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries. When you click on that, you will get a list of currently available libraries. There are two types: Global Libraries, which can be accessed by any KiCad project, or Project Specific Libraries that are in the current project folder.
  4. To add a new global library to your list, click the "Global Libraries" tab and click on the folder icon (tooltip "Add Existing").
  5. This will open an Explorer dialogue, in which you can navigate to "MyFootprints.pretty" that you just created. Highlight the folder, and click [Open].

That's it. "MyFootprints.pretty" will now by visible from the pcb and footprint editor apps. Any ECAD files that you download should initially be placed in that folder. Almost always, they are zipped, so you will have to extract what you need from the zip. Footprints, which have the .kicad_mod file suffix will now be available from the footprint chooser.

--
Regards,
Tony


On 24/08/2024 11:33, John Woodgate wrote:

Thank you, Reinier.

You make it sound simple, but for someone who has never done it successfully, it is not simple.? I have tried and failed too often. There are many steps and questions:

  1. How to make a library, what filename to use and where to save it?
  2. Moving a pad is fairly easy, but how to know what to re-size it to?
  3. How to change the contour lines? Are they lines or rectangles or circles? Some appear to be polygons made of individual lines, so are very difficult to change.
I can't use YouTube videos because I am too deaf to understand the sound. It's not a loudness problem, the people talk too fast and not clearly enough.I will certainly look at Digikey and Mouser, but I am in England, so many of their parts are simply too costly to buy in small quantities.

-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

Virus-free.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

I agree about 'once you get it right', but only if you record the steps? that worked.

I have a folder called 'Ultrasonic filter KiCad'. Can I put the 'Footprints library' folder in it? I tried that before and it didn't seem to work, but I don't know how to 'add it to the KiCad search'.

Thanks for the other advice.

On 2024-08-24 11:42, Andy wrote:
It's actually very easy.. just start simple 
Like many things once you actually get it right you wonder what all the
fuss is about. :-)



1. Library, just the same as any other directory, store it wherever you
want. Then you select that directory and then save the library into it.
Call the library whatever you want; mine are called
g0poy-footprints g0poy-components

The main thing to remember is to select the correct working directory. 
You then just add your directory and libs to the kicad search 


2. pad, that's a matter of reading the datasheet and starting from there
for example, you may want to extend the pads to make hand soldering
easier

3. Yes that's a pain you usually have to redraw them

YouTube.
There is a very good caption function , but even more useful is the
playback speed. Nudge it down too 75% and things sound a lot better in
many cases. You do get issues with poor audio at times, but there are
lots of videos to try, so you can usually find something.

The comment about digikey etc is that the sites has many of the
footprints available for download, you don't have to buy anything -
however at least one of them has a UK site I think it's mouser, and I
have used them. (I'm in east London) 

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:33:40 +0100
"John Woodgate" <jmw@...> wrote:

Andy





-- 
OOO - Own Opinions Only
Best Wishes
John Woodgate
Keep trying

Virus-free.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

开云体育

You can probably find the find the parts you want in Farnell too, as well as Digikey an Mouser, from whom you can also buy components in the UK, although Farnell is much quicker, and sometimes cheaper. (I still even use Farnell in France, although the stock is mostly held in their Leeds warehouse.) Farnell has ECAD files (schematic symbols, footprints and 3D models) for a large percentage of the components they stock, including lots of trim-pots. What specific parts do you want?

To download the ECAD files, you will have to create a profile on . Almost all the major component retailers use this, which is run by SamacSys and based in the UK. It seems to have by far the most files available. If they don't have the ones you want, you can request that they create them. My experience is that they do this generally in 24hrs or less. Farnell's ECAD files link takes you straight to the login dialogue, but prefixed by "farnell.", but the same login profile will work for all retailers.

To use KiCad effectively, you have to learn how the library system works, and how manage to manage it, even if you never make any symbols and/or footprints yourself.

KiCad deals with schematic symbols and PCB footprints differently. For symbols, each library is one file and may contain many symbols. For footprints, each library is a separate folder, with individual footprint files of type "kicad_mod". Footprints are easier to deal with.

To create a personal footprint library, as opposed to one of the supplied "standard" libraries, you can create it yourself in Windows Explorer.

  1. Decide where you want to keep it, and then simply create a new folder.
  2. Give it a name, e.g.: "MyFootprints.pretty". Don't forget the ".pretty" bit. KiCad will not see it unless it has that naming format. If you download a lot of footprints, you might want to catalogue them separately into types along the same lines as the "standard" libraries.
  3. Then from the top level KiCad application: Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries. When you click on that, you will get a list of currently available libraries. There are two types: Global Libraries, which can be accessed by any KiCad project, or Project Specific Libraries that are in the current project folder.
  4. To add a new global library to your list, click the "Global Libraries" tab and click on the folder icon (tooltip "Add Existing").
  5. This will open an Explorer dialogue, in which you can navigate to "MyFootprints.pretty" that you just created. Highlight the folder, and click [Open].

That's it. "MyFootprints.pretty" will now by visible from the pcb and footprint editor apps. Any ECAD files that you download should initially be placed in that folder. Almost always, they are zipped, so you will have to extract what you need from the zip. Footprints, which have the .kicad_mod file suffix will now be available from the footprint chooser.

--
Regards,
Tony


On 24/08/2024 11:33, John Woodgate wrote:

Thank you, Reinier.

You make it sound simple, but for someone who has never done it successfully, it is not simple.? I have tried and failed too often. There are many steps and questions:

  1. How to make a library, what filename to use and where to save it?
  2. Moving a pad is fairly easy, but how to know what to re-size it to?
  3. How to change the contour lines? Are they lines or rectangles or circles? Some appear to be polygons made of individual lines, so are very difficult to change.
I can't use YouTube videos because I am too deaf to understand the sound. It's not a loudness problem, the people talk too fast and not clearly enough.I will certainly look at Digikey and Mouser, but I am in England, so many of their parts are simply too costly to buy in small quantities.


Re: Searching for an existing footprint

 

It's actually very easy.. just start simple
Like many things once you actually get it right you wonder what all the
fuss is about. :-)



1. Library, just the same as any other directory, store it wherever you
want. Then you select that directory and then save the library into it.
Call the library whatever you want; mine are called
g0poy-footprints g0poy-components

The main thing to remember is to select the correct working directory.
You then just add your directory and libs to the kicad search


2. pad, that's a matter of reading the datasheet and starting from there
for example, you may want to extend the pads to make hand soldering
easier

3. Yes that's a pain you usually have to redraw them

YouTube.
There is a very good caption function , but even more useful is the
playback speed. Nudge it down too 75% and things sound a lot better in
many cases. You do get issues with poor audio at times, but there are
lots of videos to try, so you can usually find something.

The comment about digikey etc is that the sites has many of the
footprints available for download, you don't have to buy anything -
however at least one of them has a UK site I think it's mouser, and I
have used them. (I'm in east London)

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:33:40 +0100
"John Woodgate" <jmw@...> wrote:

Andy