Hold down shift while you draw the box, then when you place it, it will be a copy.
Not sure how that will relate to your schematic, but it's a place to start?
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I'm still working on the connection between footprints and schematics - somehow there's not a 1-to-1 connection in there, so I draw a schematic and can't get a connector which has the pins in the same places even though they are all library parts. Probably it's because I'm using what I have instead of drawing the right thing.
PCB layout - JHarvey
Re: PCB layout
I know about the shift, alt, ctl modifier keys. After I do that, then I have several fields to update, and because I used the netlist to get the footprints, I have a bunch of parts to delete from the pile it made. Once that is all done, if I make a change to the the original, then I have to make it several times. Just seems like a lot of work, and if feels like there is a better way.
I wonder if I can save this as a template file, or something similar to what I did with the schematic.
I wonder if I can save this as a template file, or something similar to what I did with the schematic.
Re: PCB layout
Hmmm, I wonder what file --> append board does, also rescue and previous version.
So much to learn, so little time.
So much to learn, so little time.
Re: PCB layout
It sounds like the regular copy would do it, so maybe I'm not understanding. As to batch editing, no idea. Rescue seems to be "reload" but maybe there is more to it. Append I havne't tried yet, but it's a good thought process.
Re: PCB layout
I've decided to just bull my way through it with the copy paste method. So far I've copied the reg circuit, then I renamed the components. It appears KICAD is smart enough to notice the placed component vs the pile the net list made in the bottom right of this picture.
If it didn't delete the one down there, then in then end when all parts are place, there will be a pile to delete later.
I was tempted to do another release, but found some things I'd like to clean up before I do. I should have that cleaned up by this evening, so I'm going to hold out for a bit longer. I plan on releasing it when I have the first ignition and first injector's laid out.
So far not many traces need to be run to the other side of the PCB. However, I need to fix a number of component vs copy side issues, including the released foot prints. I followed the layout of the via pads in the footprints I stared with. However, I should have made many of the traces on the component side only.
Any how, back to it.
If it didn't delete the one down there, then in then end when all parts are place, there will be a pile to delete later.
I was tempted to do another release, but found some things I'd like to clean up before I do. I should have that cleaned up by this evening, so I'm going to hold out for a bit longer. I plan on releasing it when I have the first ignition and first injector's laid out.
So far not many traces need to be run to the other side of the PCB. However, I need to fix a number of component vs copy side issues, including the released foot prints. I followed the layout of the via pads in the footprints I stared with. However, I should have made many of the traces on the component side only.
Any how, back to it.
Re: PCB layout
Hmmm, I seem to have hit a small problem, I'm hoping 8InchesFlacid or someone else can help. When I select the switched 5V I see the constant 5V net lights up as well. I'm sure the problem is that the schematic call's them both VCC (or some similar name) on both switched and constant Vreg. That name is then considered the same net when at the PCB level.
The problem I have is I don't know the net name, and I don't know where it's being called that name. It's probably relative to the use of the "power" symbols. Hmmm.
The problem I have is I don't know the net name, and I don't know where it's being called that name. It's probably relative to the use of the "power" symbols. Hmmm.
Re: PCB layout
If it's anything like Protel the net will be named in the schematic, and be a "power pin", meaning power or ground or a supply voltage bus. Look in the schem.
Re: PCB layout
It has many similarities to Protel. It took me a moment to find the net name in the PCB, but I figured it out after some hacking. Appears I can do a net list like this *VCC* and it will post the resulting VCC nets. Also appears the net was titled with POWER not VCC. I had a label on it, so I don't understand why it was overridden. All part of the learning curve I guess.
The key problem I'm facing is that the XOR and op-amps are different types of symbols then the rest. The power pins are embedded, and I guess I'm not playing the game right. For now, I've created my own versions of the symbols, but changed the embedded pins from "power-in" to "input". This seems to have resolved most of the issues, but I really should learn the proper way of using the "power-in" and "power-out" pin options. I believe this is the same for Protel symbols. When using a components like an op-amp, you typically don't have to draw power to every sub symbol. How is that handled with Protel?
The key problem I'm facing is that the XOR and op-amps are different types of symbols then the rest. The power pins are embedded, and I guess I'm not playing the game right. For now, I've created my own versions of the symbols, but changed the embedded pins from "power-in" to "input". This seems to have resolved most of the issues, but I really should learn the proper way of using the "power-in" and "power-out" pin options. I believe this is the same for Protel symbols. When using a components like an op-amp, you typically don't have to draw power to every sub symbol. How is that handled with Protel?
Re: PCB layout
A quad op-amp, for example, is drawn as 4 op-amps, but only the first one has pin numbers assigned to power and ground. Hope that helps, I am still new to Protel, and have only done a few layouts and one PCB made.
Re: PCB layout
So you can actually draw a trace to the power pin. In this case the power pins are hidden, and you have to link to them kind of secretly. Sounds like the way it was done with the op-amp is better. It allows me to draw a trace to the power pin, and it seems to work. Appears the problem is the XOR symbol.
I think I have a good idea what the problem is now. I'm thinking it's caused by the pin label on the VReg out "VO". When you use a "power port" the power port label rules, and other labels are considered the same, as this label. So when put VCC power port in, it routes back to the VO pin label, and then both regulator VO's are considered VCC. The problem with this theory is that there is a resistor that should break that link, but it appears power ports are special, and that because they are driven, they will propagate through to other nets, until you break the driven feature. Hmmm.
So what's the best solution, probably to just make a symbol, and make it not use the power ports. I could perhaps add a jumper, that way I can physically break the trace in the schematic, but then I have extra via's to place on the PCB.... Any how progress.
I think I have a good idea what the problem is now. I'm thinking it's caused by the pin label on the VReg out "VO". When you use a "power port" the power port label rules, and other labels are considered the same, as this label. So when put VCC power port in, it routes back to the VO pin label, and then both regulator VO's are considered VCC. The problem with this theory is that there is a resistor that should break that link, but it appears power ports are special, and that because they are driven, they will propagate through to other nets, until you break the driven feature. Hmmm.
So what's the best solution, probably to just make a symbol, and make it not use the power ports. I could perhaps add a jumper, that way I can physically break the trace in the schematic, but then I have extra via's to place on the PCB.... Any how progress.