Current Version: 1.1
Update features:
- SMD libraries are now split into 2 variants - standard and hand soldering.
Standard libraries have no silkscreen under the parts to avoid problems during machine soldering. - Hand soldering libraries have component symbols under the part to improve PCB readability and reduce component placement errors during hand soldering.
- Minor updates and fixes.
This library is a modification of the vanilla KiCad library, changes include:
- Component symbols are now a part of a footprint (for example a capacitor footprint now has its symbol printed out on the silkscreen) to help distinguish similar sized parts from each other.
- Large integrated circuits now have marks to help with counting pins (handy if you need to test a specific pin)
- Different looks if you want to add some extra flare to your project.
Some of the new footprints in comparison to the default KiCad:
You can get it here:
GitHub:
Mega:
https://mega.nz/folder/W7ogBYiT#fn2W0zo-Ao6-3u--oH4MFA
Google:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PUlp_1QcneiuK2Whkp_YgyxAr2PHHJxH?usp=sharing
Why not contribute to the actual KiCad Library?
Alternate KiCad Library deliberately violates KiCad library convention by placing silkscreen under the parts. I believe it helps during hand soldering and makes the bare PCB easier to ‘read’.
Also some AKL footprints take physically more space, so there’s a strong argument not to use it in high density designs.
SMD parts with silkscreen under the part might cause problems during machine soldering.
About:
This library has been a personal project but since then I’ve expanded it far beyond of what I originally set out to do. And that’s not it! Symbol libraries are planned to release some time after KiCad 6 comes out, along with more footprints both modified and brand new. See the showcase folder in the links above.
Please keep in mind that this library is a spare time project of a single person, there might be bugs and new updates will take a long time.
License:
Alternate KiCad Library by Dawid Cisło is a derivative of KiCad Library made by KiCad community, used under Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 4.0 License, with the following exception:
To the extent that the creation of electronic designs that use ‘Licensed Material’ can be considered to be ‘Adapted Material’, then the copyright holder waives article 3 of the license with respect to these designs and any generated files which use data provided as part of the ‘Licensed Material’.
Additional license and attribution information can be found in the ‘Readme’ file.
If you think that licensing or attribution information included in the AKL files is inadequate please contact me.
Please let me know if I need to move the topic somewhere else. I could not find a proper category for it.