Best practices for libraries with Git 6.0.7 Linux

[mlaflare]

Hi, I’m trying to get back in the game again. I haven’t done any engineering for a few years, so I’m a little rusty. I just updated my system from 5 to 6.0.7 on Linux Mint. Thanks for the help KiCad.info forum!

So, I’ve got a whole bunch of files strewn all over my machine and various drives.

Is this a good place to start? Whoever is typing this stuff, please put a last updated note at the top of the document… I remember there was a V6 document from a journalist that was lurking around forever and it was never up to date. I definitely want to to avoid that document.

Getting Started in KiCad | 6.0 | English | Documentation | KiCad

In my old Git folder on a different drive from /user, I’ve got a whole bunch of files… digikey-kicad-library (I want to update this one) kicad-footprints (not sure what to do with this) kicad-symbols (not sure what to do with this either) my old custom parts libraires, etc. From what I remember, it was easier to access them and update them when they were in the root Git folder. Are there any other libraries that I should look at or add? I definately need 40xx, 74xx, Atmel / Microchip, any good community libraries, etc.

Are the new libraries supposed to be at /home/xxx/.local/share/kicad/6.0 ? I can see folders for all of the goodies, but they’re empty.

Thanks for reading this far. Basically, I want all of my stuff as close to standard configuration as possible with the least amount of mods possible and easy to update.

Thanks!

[jmk]

That is the latest official “Getting Started” available. It was released about March 2022 for 6.0.0

The current up to date official Kicad libraries are in:
C / usr / share / kicad /
Any updates will appear in your Update Manager when available.

Check that path to see if you downloaded the libraries.

Should look like this:

If you click on the Symbols folder you should get a list of installed libraries. Click on 3D or Footprints and you will see many folders.

[SembazuruCDE]

The linked below FAQ entry for library organization written for 5.1 should be mostly good. The philosophy behind the organization(s) suggested are still valid, but some dialog boxes might look a little different (I haven’t gone over it to compare, personally).

Library management in KiCad version 5

Disclaimer: screenshots taken in nightly from between version 5.0 and 5.1. Version 5.0.x looks slightly different. Version 5.1.x will look like the screenshots show. This is a detailed lecture. If you want to know how to simply add some assets you downloaded to KiCad then you can read the shorter tutorial How to get a downloaded symbol, footprint or full library into KiCad version 5? Summary KiCad does not automatically detect libraries! There is no special library location (you might still ca…

[mlaflare]

Hi, the folders are there, but they are empty. Did I miss some install commands?

[jmk]

@mlaflare

Did I miss some install commands?

Yes.
When you were asked if you wished to the libraries you probably clicked no.
This was from another post discussing a comment by @retiredfeline

To me, the instruction posted by @retiredfeline in another post is GREAT!
Asking a Ubuntu newbee to blindly type or paste this “rm -fr ~/.config/kicad/6.0” into the terminal, restart, then select "copy default… (recommended), after opening Kicad solves all the problems of the installation.

Doing this should solve your problem.