Kicad Users

Re: Symbols

antoniustrevorum@... (Tony Casey) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:44:16 -0700

On 26/03/2025 14:54, Dave Farrington via groups.io wrote:

[email protected]">
Symbols had been my bugaboo ever since I started trying to teach myself KiCad. I'm now at v9.0.0 as I update my Linux systems with regularity.

I seem to remember a method in which one could copy existing symbols into a new one for modifications. But I'm apparently not able to do that. Plus my existing project symbols appear to be gone.

There is a method to do what you want:

Open the symbol editor
Highlight an existing symbol
Right-click on the name in the symbol list
Save Copy As...
Choose location
Edit copied symbol
Save

You can only save into your own libraries, as the system libraries are read-only (at least in Linux).

If your own libraries have disappeared in a KiCad update, you will need to re-add them:

In the symbol Editor:

Preferences > Manage Symbol Libraries
Global Libraries > Add Existing Library to Table (click folder icon below table)
The new library will be added at the bottom, but you can move it up to the top of the list, or alphabetical order, or however you choose.

--
Regards,
Tony

Symbols

Daves.djet@... (Dave Farrington) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:54:53 -0700

Symbols had been my bugaboo ever since I started trying to teach myself KiCad. I'm now at v9.0.0 as I update my Linux systems with regularity.

I seem to remember a method in which one could copy existing symbols into a new one for modifications. But I'm apparently not able to do that. Plus my existing project symbols appear to be gone.

So, if I'm trying to build the symbol on the right:

I've been trying to get the 31 terminal text to be horizontal, Is there a way to do that in the symbol editor?

I realize that I could move the 85 terminal down and have the 31 on the side above the 85. That I know I can do. The subject is actually an 1981-1984 manual transmission Overdrive Relay. The transistor symbol hides entire analog flip-flop circuits, one variant using a 4001 the other a 14027 IC. Reverse engineering is so much fun.

Cheers,

Dave F.

Re: List of Experienced Freelancers

Daves.djet@... (Dave Farrington) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 03:57:05 -0700

I will agree that one needs to be exceedingly careful, but that is what contracts are for. I personally know little of GitHub, but security-wise it seems to be quite strict. Contractually say the updates are to be posted daily to GitHub after any time on the project. Multiple payments based on progress and final percentage based on acceptance testing of a revised design. Don’t know if project management goal posts are applicable, but if a submitted quote includes one there are the payment milestones.

There’s nothing saying multiple contractors be simultaneously engaged, but I would be open with that fact.

Cheers,

Dave F.

Re: List of Experienced Freelancers

gorhas@... (Goran Hasse) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 10:38:39 -0700

I personaly had some horrible experience with UpWork and also
some good. You have to be VERY carfull when you specify what should
be done and be extreemly willing to whatch over the work - on a day to
day basis.

// GH

Den 2025-03-23 kl. 12:51, skrev Dave Farrington via groups.io:

Re: List of Experienced Freelancers

gorhas@... (Goran Hasse) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 10:24:21 -0700

You should also state the complexity. How many components (about), RF design (if so), size (about), no of layers, etc etc..

// GH

Den 2025-03-23 kl. 17:38, skrev MrLion:

Re: List of Experienced Freelancers

jradtke@... (MrLion) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 09:38:35 -0700

Looking for an experienced KiCAD PCB designer, with commercial experience using KiCAD.

Freelance work.......................

Must have completed at least 20 paid designs for others.

I need to convert some existing KiCAD through hole designs to SMD.

Schematic is complete, BOM is done.

Re: List of Experienced Freelancers

chris.carter.iee@... (CW) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 08:22:14 -0700

If there is no list, perhaps you'd wish to describe what the project is.
Someone here might then be interested in contacting you directly.

Re: List of Experienced Freelancers

Daves.djet@... (Dave Farrington) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 04:51:48 -0700

Actually in that last listing I didn't find either the words "KiCad" or "PCB".

However, if I searched with the term "Freelance KiCad design" I got more relevant results, two being:

https://www.upwork.com/hire/kicad-freelancers/

https://www.fiverr.com/hire/kicad

Naturally I cannot specifically recommend anyone as I'm also an amateur.

Cheers,

Dave F.

Re: List of Experienced Freelancers

gorhas@... (Goran Hasse) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 01:23:18 -0700

Yes - something like

https://www.freebsd.org/commercial/consult/

Den 2025-03-23 kl. 00:38, skrev MrLion:

List of Experienced Freelancers

jradtke@... (MrLion) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 01:17:08 -0700

I am new to this group.

Is there a listing of Experienced Freelancers for KiCAD PCB layout work ?

Re: Copy vs Duplicate

birmingham_spider@... (Robert) — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:24:40 -0700

Copy goes via the clipboard, so you can paste the copied item multiple
times, and/or in other windows.

Duplicate only works in the current window, but it eliminates the need
to paste.

Regards,

Robert.

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Re: Printing PCB - is it possible to suppress the copper pours ??

chris.carter.iee@... (CW) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:40:21 -0700

Exactly, this is the solution.

Re: Printing PCB - is it possible to suppress the copper pours ??

softfoot@... (David Slipper) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:32:31 -0700

Deselect ZONES in Appearance->Objects then select the option shown in the print menu.

Works for me under V8 and V9

Dave

Copy vs Duplicate

Brian.German@... (Brian) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 09:59:20 -0700

Any idea what the major differences are between using Copy vs Duplicate in KiCad? If it would be helpful in a tutorial, I'd like to help new users know up front- if it will only add confusion, I'll leave it out.

I have tried looking in the forum and docs.kicad.org and have come up empty.

I could have sworn there were advantages to using one over the other.

Kind regards,

Brian

Re: Printing PCB - is it possible to suppress the copper pours ??

j.m.price@... (John - WA2FZW) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:34:23 -0800

Ignore my previous post! I just tried on version 5 again, and it has the same problem; can't eliminate the fill zones.

But I found a workaround! If you temporarily remove the fill zone outlines, you get this:

Hitting Ctrl-Z twice will restore the fill zones.

Re: Printing PCB - is it possible to suppress the copper pours ??

j.m.price@... (John - WA2FZW) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:01:25 -0800

I've been using version 5 for several years, but just installed version 9. In version 5, I can print without the fills, for example:

Can't seem to do it in version 9 even though the fills are turned off in the sidebar.

I find this format is good when documenting my projects. Any help would be appreciated!

Re: Uploading a tube amplifier netlist on Files section

ianthompsonbell@... (Ian Bell) — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:43:26 -0800

Update. I also found the section for controlling uploads of photos. So I have now enabled photos but restricted them to 1024 x 1024 pixels. You can upload larger ones than this but they will automatically be scaled to this size.

Cheers

Ian

Re: Uploading a tube amplifier netlist on Files section

gheskett@... (Gene Heskett) — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 04:30:26 -0800

On 2/28/25 06:04, Carlo wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 01:50 AM, Ian Bell wrote:

Let me know if you can now upload files.
Yes it works, thank you !

Now find a copy of rzsz-3.3.6 for an error correcting file transfer protocol. It supports xon/xoff and can move files at 9600 baud, achieving 720 cps on a 6309 nitros9 machine and around 600 cps on a 6809 machine. 3.2.4 and above to 3.3.6 came from my machine but only 3.3.6 has an improved table driven crc generator that nearly doubles its speed. Many versions of zmodem, the common name for this protocol do not support xon/xoff so are restricted to 1200 baud. And may foul it. Accept no subs.

Carlo.

Cheers, Gene Heskett, CET.

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File /Bravo_ocean_semi.zip uploaded

@... — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:10:32 -0800

The following items have been added to the Files area of the [email protected] group.

/Bravo_ocean_semi.zip

By: Carlo <carlo.cianfarani@...>

Description:
Bravo ocean tube amplifier: it seems the DC operation point from ngspice isn't good.

Re: Uploading a tube amplifier netlist on Files section

carlo.cianfarani@... (Carlo) — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:04:38 -0800

On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 01:50 AM, Ian Bell wrote:

Let me know if you can now upload files.

Yes it works, thank you !

Carlo.