Hi,

Welcome to KiCad!

A lot of symbols and footprints are installed by default along with
KiCad. SOMETIMES what you need will be in there - but when it is not, it
is quite straightforward to

* create a new symbol and/or footprint as you need, or
* modify existing ones, and save them as a new one, particularly if they
are 'close' to what you need.

=)

Check KiCad's online help for all the details on how to accomplish these
tasks.

Kicad comes with a huge library, and as chris says it's quite easy to
make the footprints and symbols you need.

However kicad has gained so much traction now that the major
component vendors, mouser, digikey etc. are including kicad
footprints as such like in their data downloads.
Very often the 3d model is also there.

Andy


On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:24:07 -0800
"Frederick R. Vobbe" <fvobbe@...> wrote:

I'm very new to KI, but used Eagle a long time ago when I was still in practice.? At 71 years old, I'm getting back into the swing of making boards for my hobby.

Is there a repository for symbols and footprints for KI?

My first attempt at using the program is to design a relay switching board and I need to find a symbol and footprint for a Phoenix terminal block (header), 3-pos, 90-deg, 5.08mm.?? (Phoenix p/n: 1757488)

开云体育

I'm very new to KI, but used Eagle a long time ago when I was still in practice.? At 71 years old, I'm getting back into the swing of making boards for my hobby.

?

Is there a repository for symbols and footprints for KI?

?

My first attempt at using the program is to design a relay switching board and I need to find a symbol and footprint for a Phoenix terminal block (header), 3-pos, 90-deg, 5.08mm.?? (Phoenix p/n: 1757488)

You don't mention what operating system you are using. There is a large repository of symbols, footprints and 3D models. I'm slightly surprised you don't already have it installed.

BTW, you're not the oldest around here. Not by some way.

--
Regards,
tony

开云体育

This is helpful!? I'll have to read up on how to properly import these. I appreciate this good intel. Never knew about the ECAD but I can see how it will be very helpful, rather than needing to redraw everything from scratch.

It's very easy now.

Open the file in the footprint editor, check and adjust if required. Then
select save as. This will allow you to choose the library into which you
want to save the footprint.

The same process applies to the symbols using the symbol editor.

As with all CAD systems you should never use any provided libs directly,
rather you should copy the libs and symbols into your own directory
structure, after checking that they are as you want. This protects you
against changes to libs that you don't know about should you update the
provided libs or kicad.

For 3d models I think you just copy them into the 3d directory.

Also note that kicad has project specific libs as well, so any custom
adjusted parts can be stored there i.e. you might relabel the pins on a
microcontroller to have meaningful names for that project.

You can find out where kicad has put things with the preferences >
configure paths command.

Andy







On Wed, 25 Dec 2024 09:40:59 -0500
"Frederick R. Vobbe" <fvobbe@...> wrote:

This is helpful!? I'll have to read up on how to properly import these.
I appreciate this good intel. Never knew about the ECAD but I can see
how it will be very helpful, rather than needing to redraw everything
from scratch.

On 12/25/2024 09:08, Dallas N4DDM via groups.io wrote:

Frederick,
I took your Phonenix part number and searched for it on Mouser...?
Just below the Datasheet link is a link to ECAD Model where you can
get Schematic Symbols, PCB Footprints, and sometimes 3D models if they
are not in the vast collection that comes with KiCAD...

You are in luck as all 3 are available as a FREE download...
There are YouTube videos that show downloading and adding these
libraries to your design.
73 Dallas N4DDM