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Hi, I'm somewhat new to Kicad and PCB design for that matter. When placing footprints on the PCB it seems that the Footprint Properties by default have both a "Reference Designator" and an unamed property who's value is ${RFERENCE} [screen shot attached] which seem to equate to the same thing on the resulting PCB [screen shot attached]. Are both of these needed? I know I can turn off the "show" property for one of them -- but I'm wondering how they different, if both are actually needed, and if not is there a "bulk" update I can do to hide either one of them across all the footprints without having to click into each footprint? Thank you, -richie
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Checking the schematic by SPICE simulation
9
As I understand it, I have to make a copy of the schematic and add voltage sources (power and signal) and a load. Then add to that the simulation command. But how do I introduce the models and subcircuits for the active components? What would be much easier for me is to be able to copy the schematic into LTspice (as that is what I use) and do the simulation in that environment. But is is possible to do that, i.e. can KiCad export a schematic (or even a netlist) that SPICE understands? This is important because it can be a costly mistake not to realise that the KiCad opamp symbol has the + input uppermost, whereas it is most common, I think, to see the - input uppermost. The EDR can't detect that error, of course. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Fixing holes
17
I have an old advice sheet about how to add fixing holes to a board, but both methods are really work-arounds and have disadvantages. I am a bit surprised that this issue is not documented (as far as I can find). Advice would be welcome. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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AVR64DB32 symbol
3
Hi all, I am currently designing a new project using the relatively new MCU, the AVR64DD32. I found that the DB version has the same pinout, and we have symbol for it. The REST/PF6 pin marked bidirectional, however the datasheet (and the real device) states as input only. Is it wise and mark that pin input only, so ERC can detect if that net is not driven? Thanks, Lev -- Levente Kovacs Senior Electronic Engineer W: http://levente.logonex.eu
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question re. reach of net labels, net definition
2
Is my understanding of the reach of net labels correct? A "net label" is only recognized on the same hierachical sheet, but not in sub-sheets. Different hierachical sheets can use the same net label without creating a sheet to sheet connection. A "global label" is recognized throughout the entire schematic on all hierachical sheets. Good for sheet to sheet connection. Here is my question: Is there a means to define a net that is valid in a hierarchical sheet and all its sub-sheets, but not in other hierarchical sheets? This would be useful if several identical complex blocks need to be designed. Thanks, Tom
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I asked KiCad to renumber the components on the schematic. What I didn't realise is that it turns the PCB into a disaster area, because many of the components are then in the wrong places, with wrong connections. Is there a way to recover from this, or do I have to delete all the components and tracks and start again? Is there a way to prevent the disaster, other than not renumbering? I have another question: is there a way of printing the list of keyboard shortcuts? Since it is an HTML page in the on-line manual, I can't see how to do it. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Footprint without schematic symbol
8
I want to use a double-pole switch with centre-off position, and the footprint: Button_Switch_THT:SW_Push_2P2T_Vertical_E-Switch_800UDP8P1A1M6 is good. But I can't find a schematic symbol for it, only SPDT_MSM for a single-pole version. Do I have to make a new symbol for it? That means delving into the 'user libraries' process, which I find very confusing. Actually, I am using only one pole, but that switch fits mechanically very well and I have a supply. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Problemsending data from schematic to PCB
5
I have drawn a schematic and corrected all the errors. When I switch to PCB, the footprints appear but no designations and other text for them. I cannot find any setting that would make the designations visible or not. Please advise. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Power flag problem
4
I have a schematic that does not have a power source, it comes from a connector. I have labelled the power wires +VDC #PWR01 and -VDC #PWR02, but Electrical Rules Check gives the 'Input power pin not driven ...' error message for both. How can I fix this? -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Is there anywhere a symbol for the DB15 15-contact connector? I know that I could make one, but its geometry is not simple. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Import Spice schematic
14
Can version 8.02 import a Spice schematic, specifically an LTspice schematic? -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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PCB reflection
I found that if I 'select all', the rotation triangles on the toolbar work correctly, but the mirror triangles do not reflect the tracks. I can't believe that is intentional. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Hi all, brand new to kicad. I am on windows and kicad version Application: KiCad Schematic Editor (64-bit) Version: (6.0.1), release build. I can place components no problem. I can connect wires from one component to another. My problem is, when I move a component, it disconnects from the wire. How do I get my wires to stay connected when I move a component? thanks Eugene
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'Snap to grid'
9
I have now laid out my board but I want to make it using 0.1 inch perfboard, so I would like to have all parts on the 0.1 inch grid, but I don't see anywhere a 'snap to grid' option in PCB Editor. It is in Schematic editor, where I would have thought that it is less important. The word 'snap' doesn't appear in the documents. Please advise. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Components have specified ends
10
I am having a problem with laying out a simple PCB, using version 8.01 under Widows 11. The problem is that even resistors and capacitors have specified ends, and it seems impossible to overcome this. For example, I have two capacitors to be connected in parallel to make up a non-standard value. KiCad insists on connecting the north end of C1 to the south end of C2, so the other connection C1S to C2N cannot be made. I see that it's not possible to directly invert a footprint, and applying a 90 degree turn twice doesn't fix the problem. I can't find anything about this in 'Getting Started' or the 'English Documentation', but of course it might be in there somewhere. Please advise. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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PWR_FLAG
6
I have attached PWR_FLAG labels to my battery input terminals, but I still get a 'not driven' violation on the positive rail after the on-off switch, which is shown in the ON position. Is this normal, or have I got a hidden error in the schematic? -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Footprint for trimmer potentiometer
13
I rarely make printed boards, but I need to in this case. I am using version 8.01. I have identified footprints for all of the components except for a 1 kohm trimmer potentiometer. This has 5.08 mm spacing between the end pins and 5.08 mm spacing of the slider pin from the line of the end pins. The footprint library seems to be based on the user choosing parts from a very limited number of suppliers and knowing the exact part number. I can see no 'generic' footprints at all, but I seem to remember that earlier versions of KiCad had 'generic' footprints. Is the only solution to create a footprint? -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Gerber export with DRC errors
3
Hi all, On the FB group, someone pointed out that KiCad refuses to generate Gerber plots when there are DRC issues with the board. My experience shows otherwise. Is there any feature like this? If there is, how does it work? Thanks, Levente -- Levente Kovacs Senior Electronic Engineer W: http://levente.logonex.eu
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This symbol is in quite a lot of trouble. First, it's HUGE, compared with the Audio Jack 2 symbol, so the schematic looks very odd indeed. Second, the blue text says 'Jack', not 'Plug'. Third, the description is the one for Audio Plug 4 (TRRS). I've tried to modify it to look more realistic, and I have the modified symbol saved in the same folder as the schematic, but the original symbol appears on the schematic. -- Signature OOO - Own Opinions Only Best wishes John Woodgate, Rayleigh, Essex UK Keep trying Virus-free.www.avg.com
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Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am