![]() There is no native linkage between a schematic symbol and a footprint in KiCad. Meanwhile, you might have a single schematic library file which has two components defined in it with an 8-pin and 10-pin variant. So for example, if you have an 8-pin and 10-pin footprint for a microcontroller in the same library, there could be two separate. Since there is one PCB footprint per file, it is possible to have multiple footprints for the same component. If you see KiCad files with the “.mod” extension, those are legacy PCB footprints. That extension is “.pretty.” How cute is that? The directory name has, for lack of better term, an extension. A directory of these files makes up a PCB library. PCB footprints are also text files that have a “.mod_kicad” extension. Next, let’s look at how the PCB library differs. The KiCad schematic symbol library and the cache is a single file. With this file, any computer can open the schematic. Within your project folder, KiCad creates a file called “-cache.lib.” It keeps all of the symbols used in a schematic. lib file contains all of the schematic symbols as a “library.” By the way, the file format is plain text, so you can quickly view or edit it. dcm file contains metadata for the library’s symbols. In case you make unintended changes to your library file, you can roll-back to the previous version. Schematic Symbol LibraryĪ schematic library consists of three files. In the schematic editor, you can define a footprint to associate with a schematic symbol, or component.įor example, I have a file named “My_Schematic_Library.lib” and a folder named “My Footprint Library.pretty.” Let’s take a look at what makes up these two KiCad libraries. The only place that a linkage between the two occurs is in your project. KiCad has a separate library for schematic symbols and PCB footprints. Since I need to create symbols for so many of the chips as it is, I may end up re-creating the entire IIgs schematic.įor now, here is the process I use to create custom KiCad schematic symbols and parts.ĭifference between KiCad Footprints, Symbols, and Libraries However, they are not in a modern format. Like other computers from the same era, complete schematics are available. I plan to create a custom library of Apple IIgs components. That goal means I need at least one custom Kicad schematic symbol. I need to design some printed circuit boards for it and a few other IIgs chips. The project I have in mind needs the MEGA-II. One chip, in particular, is called the “MEGA-II.” This chip takes all of the individual logic chips from the original Apple II design and incorporates them into a single 84-pin PLCC. Inside are many application specific integrated circuits, or ASICs, that make the IIgs an extraordinary member of the Apple II family. It was Apple’s last 16-bit (and 8-bit) computer. A new project I have started working on involves the Apple IIgs. ![]()
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March 2023
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