Cannot update PCB

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1

i am using new version of kicad. i have already designed and tested my schematic(ERC) without any error and warnings.set footprints for my parts and saved now i want to update my PCB. but in tool section the update pcb dialog is deactivated with no notations about the error. I used the footprints from available library in kicad. how can i solve this error?

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This happens if you run the editors standalone.

Open your project from the project manager instead:

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Why do people do this ? Kicad is a piece of software an EDA tool why not use it as intended ? what is the advantage to just using one half ? why is it even possible ? I’m very curious.
:mouse:

4

Having both the normal project, and the “standaline” modes is indeed a bit illogical. I guess many people do it accidentally, without even realizing the difference.

Currently, standalone mode is necessary for opening separate schematic files, or saving them under another name. Some people may use it for projects that only have a schematic, but it’s not even intended to make a PCB. Below a composite screenshot of the standalone mode (left) and the normal / project mode file menu:

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And the same difference for the PCB editor modes:

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image1186Ă—630 90.3 KB

So the differences are: Standalone has New / Open / Open Recent as extra functions.
And there is a (small) difference in Save As… versus Save current Sheet Copy As… but I’m not sure if there is even a difference in the functionality of this Save as part.

I can also interpret your question as, “Why does KiCad even have these two different modes?”. Creating a new schematic or PCB does not make sense in the project mode, while it’s quite necessary in the standalone mode. But I agree that these modes are a bit confusing (especially to beginners), and maybe it’s indeed better to combine them somehow. The whole concept of the project manager is also a bit unusual. Maybe there are plans to revise this at some point. I don’t keep a close eye on long term strategy for KiCad.

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5

Saves the current sheet (not a copy) to a location.

Saves a copy of the current sheet to a location.

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One way it can happen is people use the OS file explorer and click on the schematic file’s icon and there is an association from .kicad_sch to eeschema.

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