Cannot import Symbol libraries for Eg_SMD.pretty

[dlwhitehurst]

I hereby certify that I am not simply asking someone else to design a footprint for me.

This is an auto-generated message that is in place on the “footprints” section of the KiCad.info forum. If I remove it and ask for a footprint to be designed anyway, I understand that I will be subject to forum members telling me to go design my own footprint or referring me to a 3rd party footprint site.

I cannot import Symbol libraries for Capacitor_SMD, Inductor_SMD, etc (.pretty) into my KiCad v9 on my Mac Mini. I got like KiCad.master in a zip (tried libraries and source) and tried to add Global and Project specific, using 1) plus button and folder icon, and … nothing happens after I select Open. Things just sit there and the folder path is NEVER added.

Can someone help me? My goal is to create Bandpass filter schematics and then move to making PCB boards with SMD components. I’m stuck. But I’m going to learn how to make my own 0805-similar footprints while I wait to see if someone here can help me.

Thanks in advance

David KR4BAD

P.S. Thanks for KiCad … this product is wonderful. I haven’t drawn my own schematics since about 1984 and now I’m making my own HAM radio from scratch.

[retiredfeline]

You write about .pretty directories and symbol libraries. .pretty is for footprints.

Then you write about schematics. In KiCad schematics use symbols and PCB layouts use footprints.

PS: Read jmk’s FAQ for managing personal symbol and footprint libraries.

[Terry_Schabert]

@retiredfeline

jmk’s FAQ for managing personal symbol and footprint libraries

Just where can I find this post?

[retiredfeline]

Click on the hamburger menu icon then from the panel select Categories, go to the FAQ section and look for this topic:

KiCad 7 & 8 & 9 Beginners Guide to Personal Symbol and Footprint Libraries

KiCAD is supplied with extensive Symbol and Footprint (and 3D, not addressed here) libraries. These are fine for simple, initial use, but inflexible due to their being “read-only”. KiCAD also, on installation, creates the default libraries and their paths in the “system/program” area of your system, This means those Kicad default libraries will be overwritten whenever an update or re-installation is made. Because of the above limitations, Personal Libraries are required to store, save and us…

But now that I’ve provided the link you can just click on it. Other FAQ posts that are useful include a guide to the forum for beginners that explains how to promote your level to be able to post attachments to your questions.

Incidentally if you’re downloading symbols and footprints for basic parts like R and C from third party libraries those are already available in the KiCad standard library.

[jmk]

@Terry_Schabert & @dlwhitehurst

@retiredfeline

Incidentally if you’re downloading symbols and footprints for basic parts like R and C from third party libraries those are already available in the KiCad standard library.

The Kicad Symbol Library containing these basic symbols is named, and nicknamed, “Device”.

[davidsrsb]

@dlwhitehurst

I got like KiCad.master in a zip (tried libraries and source) and tried to add Global and Project specific, using 1

All the basic symbols you need and the most common SMD footprints should already be installed from a full KiCad install. What is your KiCad version?
KiCad does not use the unified Part" way of doing things. Generally you use generic symbols, add a value and then choose a footprint - in your case Inductor_smd is a start

[dlwhitehurst]

I will thanks. I’m really green here. And, you are right. I don’t have SMD symbols in my global library. I have one for an inductor from Coilcraft but I should have all the _0805_2012Metric stuff. That’s what I’m “trying” to get loaded so I can do my schematic first and then have the footprints for the SMD stuff.

Thanks for the reply

[RaptorUK]

@dlwhitehurst

_0805_2012Metric stuff.

That’s footprint related . . . not schematic symbols, symbols are symbolic not related to real physical sizes.

[dlwhitehurst]

Thanks for the help yesterday. I’ve seemed to have figured it out. I have a PCB out the door and on order. I think my issue was 1) confusion between the symbols and footprints and 2) my libraries being in Cloud storage and synching while I was scrambling to learn this and get a PCB created correctly.

I’m good now.

Thanks again.

David KR4BAD