gmane.comp.cad.kicad.user

Importing Bitmaps into PCBNew

Robert — 2013-05-24T15:17:53

Although kicad has a bitmap importer I'm not happy with it.   A QR 
bitmap I tried to import yesterday got imported as an uneditable square 
blob.   Some time ago Kicad user Raoul wrote an Awk script that did the 
job nicely.   Using it I imported my QR bitmap into PCBNew, and then fed 
it into a QR reader which interpreted it correctly.   However, Raoul's 
script was rather basic, so today I've been tinkering with it to make it 
more complete.

I've also compiled it into a Windows executable so Windows users don't 
need to install an Awk interpreter.   I'm pretty sure it can also be 
compiled for Linux, but since Linux generally comes with an Awk 
interpreter I haven't done so myself.

Files are here:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/files/PBM2EMP/

Regards,

Robert.

Running KiCad on Windows Vista

jeffrussell2 — 2013-05-21T16:23:22

I downloaded and installed KiCad2013.05.16 BZR4016 and started working through a step by step tutorial from David Jahshan 2006 and updated 2011 by Phil Hutchinson. However, I notice that the folder which I created were not appearing in the directory and KiCad keeps given me a "cant locate path" error. Which I believe because when I search my drive I see

C:\program files\Kicad with bin, doc, share, and jeff (created folder), but the C:\program files\Kicad\jeff folder is empty. 

Now when I execute the KiCad program and open the files I see the following path 

C:\program files\Kicad with bin, doc, share, practice, jeff,and tute1

and each of these folders contain at least one file. However, when I try to view the files in jeff, practice or tute1 notepad does not see the path.





------------------------------------

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.kic

Artifact on eeschema connecting wires

russ95462 — 2013-05-21T08:20:10

On ee scheema if two wires are joined, sometimes a very faint out line of  a square appears around them, they do not throw up a DRC error,does anyone not what they signify and how to get rid of them other than redrawing the whole line?



------------------------------------

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:
    kicad-u

Drawing tracks to offset pads

David — 2013-05-20T20:13:28

Hi,

I'm designing an LED array where manufacturer calls for 2.5mm hole spacing between the LED leads but 3.9mm spacing between the pads.  That's easy enough to do by the OffsetX parameter in the pad properties of the module editor.

The problem is that I want the track to end on the center of the pad, not the center of the hole.  This will allow me to make traces as thick as possible (more for dissipating heat than ampacity).  The thickness is more limited by the distance between the hole than the distance between the pads.

Is there a way to do this? 



------------------------------------

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! G

CircuitHub supports Kicad

twistx77 — 2013-05-20T18:09:39

Hey everyone,

For those that don't know what it is, it is basically a universal collaborative library that will support many circuit design programs and makes it easier to obtain parts for your designs.

I just wanted to let you know they now support Kicad. It is still on beta but it works and they will be fixing problems that users have.

If you want to give it a try just go to their web. Look for it in google since I don't know if posting the link will be considered spam.







------------------------------------

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.ya

Pin not connected error

rattus32 — 2013-05-20T16:38:10

Hi - I have a fairly complex schematic that *was* ERC clean until I added a final connector to interface the inputs to the outside world.

As soon as a, say, CONN-1 from the conn library is attached, I get "Pin not connected" errors on the pins to which I attached the CONN-1 component. The pin type on the component is Passive.

Any thoughts? I really like ERC clean designs ;^)

Thanks, 

Mike



------------------------------------

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

DRC errors on schematic

russ95462 — 2013-05-20T07:59:26

Hi,

   When I run the DRC check I keep getting a lot of DRC error arrows, even if I redraw them they are still there, despite no errors appearing on the same component type else where, sometimes they disappear if I put a junction on the component, sometimes adding a junction causes one to appear. Zooming in does does not seem to show a mismatch in the alignment of the component and wire. Any ideas anyone?

Cheers

Russ



------------------------------------

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:
    Ind

Puzzling

Ernie Hatt — 2013-05-20T03:09:32

Hi I have come across something that is puzzling me.
KiCad tells me that my board files etc. are saves in 
kiCad/demos/projects, but when I look in the projects folder it tells me 
the folder is empty.
I need to move these files off computer so that I can do a OS upgrade, 
how can I do this when I cannot find them.  Thanks Ernie


------------------------------------

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/

Python3 script for DXF file parsing

Rob — 2013-05-20T02:41:14

Sometimes I need to include a complex shape in the board outline or in
another technical layer.  Here is a Python3 (not Python2 compatible)
script which parses a DXF file and then writes a text file with code
that can be cut-and-pasted into the kicad board file.
It only parses LINE, ARC and CIRCLE entities, but it could be easily
extended to include POLYLINE and other entities.
Since I have used this for outlines, I convert ARC and CIRCLE entities
into a series of line segments to ensure the outline is connected
without gaps due to digital errors.
I have not yet fully tested this.  And I apologize in advance for a
loose coding style, but this was simply for my quick use.  Maybe it will
help someone else.
Also, if you are afraid to load Python3 over a Python2 install, then you
can download Pyzo which is a scientific Python environment.  It has a
Python3 interpreter embedded within it and the code can be run from that
environment without risking your system Python install.
Good luck.
rob
https://dl.dropboxuser

Library Editor - cannot set Electrical type on pin

rattus32 — 2013-05-19T16:58:08

Hi - newbie here.

I created a component using the quicklib generator, and discovered later that I had set an incorrect type on a pin (needed to change from "output" to "power input").

Using the Library Editor, I cannot change that attribute; no matter which type I try to change it to, it just beeps at me, as in an incorrect selection.

I am using eeschema 2013-mar-25-stable on Mac OS X 10.8.3.

I realize I can just edit the .lib file, get out, get back in, but this should work.

Any ideas?

TIA, Mike



------------------------------------

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

No Pads in KIcad

fsyndergaard — 2013-05-17T17:39:24

Hi.

Jeg har lige installeret den nyeste KIcad.
Men jeg kan ikke finde de sædvanlige pads.
Og når jeg opretter en ny PAD kan jeg ikke 
gemme den.
Hvad gør jeg forkert?

Venlig hilsen





------------------------------------

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:
    kicad-users-digest-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw< at >public.gmane.

New file uploaded to kicad-users

2013-05-17T14:32:38

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the kicad-users 
group.

  File        : /myGuidelines/Footprints_Guideline_Rev2.odt 
  Uploaded by : steve28546534 <steve.1966-PkbjNfxxIARBDgjK7y7TUQ< at >public.gmane.org> 
  Description :  

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/files/myGuidelines/Footprints_Guideline_Rev2.odt 

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.html
Regards,

steve28546534 <steve.1966-PkbjNfxxIARBDgjK7y7TUQ< at >public.gmane.org>
 





------------------------------------

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 qu

New file uploaded to kicad-users

2013-05-17T14:32:59

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the kicad-users 
group.

  File        : /myGuidelines/Symbols_Guideline_Rev2.odt 
  Uploaded by : steve28546534 <steve.1966-PkbjNfxxIARBDgjK7y7TUQ< at >public.gmane.org> 
  Description :  

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/files/myGuidelines/Symbols_Guideline_Rev2.odt 

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.html
Regards,

steve28546534 <steve.1966-PkbjNfxxIARBDgjK7y7TUQ< at >public.gmane.org>
 





------------------------------------

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 question

PCBnew Layers Manager too small [1 Attachment]

Harold King Tarun — 2013-05-17T10:59:45

Hi all,

I have encountered this issue wherein the layers manager of PCBnew is too
small. I am running KiCad BZR 4011 under Windows XP. I have attached a
screenshot. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Regards
Harold

How to add a Filled Zone around a Net with a single node?

vace117 — 2013-05-17T04:44:07

Hello,

I am trying to add a filled zone around a single pin (pin needs to become part of the zone, not an island). When the "Copper Zone" tool provides me with a list of nets, it does not seem to include the nets which only have one node.

The reason I only have one node in that net is b/c I am connecting an incoming +110V line to a switch contact. I've tried connecting the switch to a Power Symbol, to a PWR_FLAG and to a hierarchical pin, but the generated net still only contains one node:

    (net (code 11) (name /Mains_Power/+110V)
      (node (ref SW1) (pin 1)))

What do I need to do to make "Copper Zone" tool allow me to select that net?


Thanks!



------------------------------------

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

Updates and layer stiching

russ95462 — 2013-05-16T18:43:40

Hi all,

   Using kicad for home audio and it seems good, a few quirks but nothing to complain about at the price!. I showed to a professional PCB designer and he thought it was quite good but tried layer stiching and we could get nowhere. Modern PCBs can have around a thousand vias per square centimeter, ten layer board, is there any chance of obtaining this?. Also he pointed out that the assigning of modules to schematic performance would rule it out for large scale work. However he also pointed out that for what they pay in enterprise licences would pay for ten programmers full time!. One more issue, how do you update? do you have to re install each time? If any one is interested in the power amp PCBs I can send them when ready, the LTSpice files you can have now. Thanks for the program so far.



------------------------------------

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

List All does not give Library 'device'

2013-05-15T13:20:47

Hi everyone,

I am new to KiCad and going through the tutorial 'Getting Started in KiCad pdf'. I'm using Mac and downloaded onto my machine from MDX4.org.

On page 6 of the tutorial, point 3.6 it says "select the 'device' library" but I can only see the library 'power' even though I can see that lots of other libraries (including 'device') are in the 'library' folder. I have tried moving the 'library' to different places but it makes no difference.

Doe anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

Matt



------------------------------------

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

inter application selection tracking stopped working

Kaspar Bumke — 2013-05-14T15:46:51

Hey,

I just suddenly realized the selection tracking that snaps the view to
the same component/pin between eeschema and pcbnew has stopped working
for me. I am not sure what has changed since I last used it.

I tried with latest stable and with a bzr4088 build I had lying
around. Neither of them do the snapping anymore in any of my projects.
I am sure I had used this feature in both those versions before.

I am on Linux. Any clues as to where to look for what is going wrong?

Cheers,

Kaspar


------------------------------------

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:
    htt

Title Block

Claudio — 2013-05-14T12:12:38

Hi there !

Are there anyway way of change info, or the way that the title block design
is ??
I would like to get a customizing area, is that possible ?

thanks

Cláudio.

Python library script "pcbnew" - where is it?

chlordk — 2013-05-10T14:46:57

On the page
http://www.kicad-pcb.org/display/KICAD/KiCad+Scripting+Reference+Manual
there is an example where a python library called "pcbnew" is used.

#!/usr/bin/env python
import sys
from pcbnew import *

Where can I find that library?

/hans



------------------------------------

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:

PCB Mill

Miguel Angel Ajo Pelayo — 2013-05-10T10:44:50

The Othermill: Custom Circuits at Your
Fingertips<http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/otherfab/the-othermill-custom-circuits-at-your-fingertips>

I found this project on kickstarter about an affordable PCB mill.

 :-) Looks interesting.