Library Naming Conventions
- must not be the same as built-in library
- prefix with unique designator for compatibility, eg EE_[NAME]
- should be as generic as possible, eg EE_Resistor_SMD, EE_Capacitor_SMD, EE_OpAmp ...
Schematic Libraries are located at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_EE_Library/lib_Files/[LibraryName].lib"
Add schematic library to library list:
- open Schematic Library Editor
- go to Preferences->Component Libraries
- add library
Make a new library by "saving as" with a library open (out of date with nightly build!)
NOTE: add these through KiCad -> Preferences -> Template Field Names
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| *Reference: | reference designator |
| *Value: | unique name of the part, include all relevant data points except manufacturer |
| *Footprint: | filepath to footprint -> [FootprintLibrary(.pretty)]:[FootprintName], click "assign footprint" for wizard |
| *Datasheet: | URL for datasheet |
| PartValue: | displayed value of the part, eg Resistors -> resistance, Capacitors -> capacitance, IC's -> part number |
| Composition: | construction material, eg Resistors -> ThinFilm/ThickFilm, Capacitors -> C0G/PPS ... |
| Precision: | precision of part |
| PowerRating: | maximum power dissipation of part |
| VoltageRating: | maximum allowed voltage across the part |
| CurrentRating: | maximum allowed current through the part |
| Tempco: | temperature coefficient |
| PbFree: | is part lead-free, bool |
| RoHS: | is part RoHS compliant, bool |
| Manufacturer: | manufacturer of part |
| MPN: | Manufacturer Part Number |
| MouserPN: | Mouser Part Number |
| DigiKeyPN: | DigiKey Part Number |
| SmallBearPN: | Small Bear Electronics Part Number |
| MammothPN: | Mammoth Electronics Part Number |
| TaydaPN: | Tayda Part Number |
| MouserPrice: | price for 1 unit @ Mouser |
| DigiKeyPrice: | price for 1 unit @ DigiKey |
| SmallBearPrice: | price for 1 unit @ SmallBear |
| MammothPrice: | price for 1 unit @ Mammoth |
| TaydaPrice: | price for 1 unit @ Tayda |
| ALTMPN: | Alternative Manufacturer Part Number |
| ALTMouserPN: | ALT Part Mouser Part Number |
| ALTDigiKeyPN: | ALT Part DigiKey Part Number |
| ALTMouserPrice: | ALT Part price for 1 unit @ Mouser |
| ALTDigiKeyPrice: | ALT Part price for 1 unit @ DigiKey |
NOTE: * = default
Local footprints are located at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_EE_Library/footprints/[LibraryName(.pretty)]/"
Add footprint Library to library list:
- open PCB Footprint Editor
- Preferences -> Footprint Libraries Manager
- Append Library
- use {KIUSRMOD} in path. NOTE: KIUSRMOD is defined using Preferences -> Configure Paths
3D packages exist at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_EE_Library/packages3d/[LibraryName(.3dshapes)]/"
each package has two 3D models: .step, .wrl
To set a part's 3D model:
- open PCB Footprint Editor
- open library and load footprint
- open Footprint Properties -> 3D Settings
- click Add 3D Shape and navigate to desired 3D model
built-in 3D models can be found at "~/Seed/Resources/KiCad_GIT_Library/kicad-packages3D/" which is downloaded from the KiCad git page
To generate a 3D .dae board file: run "kicadStepDAE [BoardFileName]" from the BoardFileName's directory
"kicadStepDAE" is a script located in "/usr/local/bin" this script runs a FreeCAD macro on the supplied file name
The FreeCAD macro is called "kicad-StepUp-tools.FCMacro" and is located at "~/Library/Preferences/FreeCAD/Macro" This macro uses "~/ksu-config.ini" for its configuration settings
"~/ksu-config.ini" points to "~/Seed/Resources/KiCadLibrary/packages3d/" as the location for the local 3D models
The "kicad-StepUp-tools.FCMacro" opens the BoardFile in FreeCAD, loads each part's 3D model from the local file path declared in the configuration file, and exports the board file as both a .step and .dae