Align Items To Grid

Layout
21

People,

Using a function like this on the PCB, where there is no uniformity in size or pad distribution, will probably mess up the whole board outlay.

For those who need/want a certain selection of items arranged in a certain manner, probably the best practice is to use a tool (mentioned by @mf_ibfeew above) or choose a suitable grid, place the items appropriately, then “Group” those items. If you want a second or more selection, repeat the before instructions and place them in another Group. Grouping items will keep those items aligned with respect to each other forevermore, or at least 'till you remove the group. :slightly_smiling_face:

22

Right clicking on a footprint in DipTrace (which I also use) allows one to align a footprint by its pads or by the origin of the footprint.

DIPTRACE_ALIGN_TO_GRID
DIPTRACE_ALIGN_TO_GRID640×753 117 KB

23

@jmk: you should correct your statement :), "Align items to grid” in the Schematic works of course on a selection of items, not only on all items on the page.

1 Like
24

Thanks, I honestly had never tried, nor thought to try, “align” on anything but the whole page.

I know it is no defence, but I’d only ever used that function a couple of times when I copy/pasted a schematic section to a fresh schematic that had an odd grid other than 50/25 mil.

25

as a reference an alternative ecad implementation:

26

I have updated a release of the action-tools-plugins which is compatible with kicad v8.0

from github repo:
pcb-action-tools_v1.0.7_pcm.zip

ATM the package can be “installed from file” using the kicad plugin manager.

1 Like
27

Thanks, maui, bad enough I have no clue how to install this. The “pub-action-tools” Install is greyed in kicad 8.0.6. And when I choose “install from file” I don’t know where to find what to install.

Screenshot 2024-11-09 at 13.05.15

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the pcb-action-tools in the Kicad built-in “app-store” is an old version (v1.0.4).
As you can see here Releases · easyw/kicad-action-tools · GitHub there are never version available which are compatible with kicad 8.0.x as @maui wrote. v1.0.4 seems not to be compatible with Kicad 8.0.x that’s why it’s grayed out :smile:

To be able to install it from the Kicad built-in “app-store” @maui might have to update the plugin here

as this might take time, you might want to try the “installed from file” method he is suggesting:

  1. download https://github.com/easyw/kicad-action-tools/releases/download/v1.0.7/pcb-action-tools_v1.0.7_pcm.zip

KiCad → Plugin And Content Manager → Install from File… → select pcb-action-tools_v1.0.7_pcm.zip and import.

1 Like
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as for @stefan_test post:

install-from-file
install-from-file2057×1437 150 KB

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Screenshot 2024-11-09 at 16.41.27
Screenshot 2024-11-09 at 16.41.271031×530 74.8 KB

31

no issue on my side with kicad 8 at least on linux and win

please check that your zipper file is okay…

32

Yes that was the thing. Safari Version 18.1 automatic unzipped the file after downloading, and I rezipped it to make this installation possible as it has to be a zip what I understand? After turning off “automatic unzip”/‘Open “Safe” files after downloading’ in Safari the install worked.

Screenshot 2024-11-09 at 20.20.53

1 Like
33

Ah, yes… Apple deciding that it knows better than the user and does things the user doesn’t expect without asking.

There’s a reason I don’t use Apple products.

34

It’s a settable preference, like every OS has.

35

Yes, and that’s good.