Problem: Each time I update the software, I find myself having to re-define my custom parts. These are parts not normally included by default in KiCad. The issue happens both minor app updates (example 8.0.1 > 8.0.2) and major app updates (example: 8.0.2 > 9.0.0). This includes both the schematic symbol, and its associated footprint. I’ve probably had to re-define my custom parts two dozen times at this point.
Want: What I’d like to do is define my custom parts one last time, and never have to do it again. Is that possible?
What am I having to re-do, specifically? Example: go into Symbol Editor, File > Import > Symbol > make some edits > Save. Then same thing with Footprints. Import, some edits, save… Then repeat for about 80 custom parts. Each time KiCad updates…
What operating system / platform are you on? Normally the KiCad standard libraries are marked as “read-only” to prevent this kind of issue. You are meant to create your own personal libraries that you can use to import or create symbols or footprints in.
Great question. I do not know. I am only doing the exact and precise steps listed. I don’t recall seeing anything about a custom library. Just Save. No idea where it’s saving to. So, I suspect I might not be, but, I cannot say for certain.
macOS Sequoia, and the two OS’es before this one as well, same problem existed then. So you and the other person mentioned personal libraries. That’s probably the ticket. Will have to figure that out.
The correct procedure for storing custom symbols and footprints is to create personal symbol and footprint libraries first. Imported (from outside Kicad), or copied (from existing Kicad supplied libraries), footprints and symbols are then placed into those created libraries. Once you have placed those items into your personal libraries you can modify (and perhaps re-name) them as you wish and they will be available for you to use without redefining.
There is a section for creating personal libraries in the “Beginners Guide” here and I have also written a FAQ to create Personal Libraries here
I’d suggest starting with my FAQ. If you have any questions please ask here. Some find the subject of personal libraries confusing.
Thank you! I’ve started a PersonalLibrary. I am now Saving my custom items to that library. I was going wrong in my Step 5 above… saving my buttons to Button_Switch_THT, saving my capacitors to Capacitors, saving my potentiometers to Potentiometers, etc, which was apparently wrong. Now, it’s all being saved to PersonalLibrary, which I suppose will be “portable” to future apps, since it’s its own file and folder now. Thanks again!
Hi @KylesKad
You are correct about step 5. Kicad supplied libraries are “read only”. You cannot place new or modified symbols or footprints into them. I’m not sure how/why your program didn’t, but my Kicad always gives a warning message stating I cannot modify Kicad supplied libraries if I try to modify, add or subtract anything from those libraries.
With regards to personal libraries, it is best to consider your future Kicad use when planing and creating these libraries. It is best to have “some” smaller libraries rather than just one single library. Imagine in a few years having perhaps a single library with 200 odd symbols. That would be awkward to navigate. A good example of how not to have a library is the Kicad “Device” library.
Just for your information, I use personal libraries exclusively. Many of the footprints and symbols are just copied from the Kicad libraries. Some have been modified from Kicad, some have been created from scratch. I have 25 symbol and 26 footprint personal libraries.
Take note, with regards to personal libraries: Each major Kicad release (eg. Kicad 7 to 8 or 8 to 9) your personal libraries have to be re-installed from your Operating System Kicad personal library folders to the Kicad Global Libraries list via Preferences > Manage Libraries.
you shouldn’t have to recreate too much. there’s two things you can do to find your previous symbols or fps.
1 - you can open up older projects and copy those symbols into new (V8 or V9) projects and then save them into your new personal libraries.
2 - each main install of KiCad is in a separate folder/install, such that you could go open up the library where your custom part is, and then save it to a personal library (in say V7 or V8) then import/use that new lib in V8 or V9.
PS - this is more of my own personal experience (of many moons) but even if I find the exact match for a part, symbol and/or footprint I will spend a few minutes verifying the pin numbers/functions and/or the dimensions of the footprint, comparing it to the datasheet.
Then I will copy the Kicad version over to my own personal library and possibly make mods to it as needed.
At the end of a project I go through and make sure all footprints are from my personal library.
Thank you jmk, craftyjon and StecklerCircuits, these are all great insights.
I suppose the biggest improvement is if it were to stop me, like jmk’s stops them. Or at the least, a warning, such as “you really shouldn’t save here but we will let you anyway” would have clued me in that something wasn’t correct with my procedure. Now I know! I’m just happy this will be the last time I have to deal with these. Hoorah
If you (like me) are using personal libraries exclusively you need not to manage library lists when major release happens. The only what you have to do is to point KiCad your list at first run of Schematic and first run of PCB.
I have designed my libraries with KiCad V4 and use them since then without ever need to make my work with them once more. Each time KiCad was able to read symbols and footprints from previous version and save in new format. It happened to me on changes V4->V5, V5->V6, V6->V7, V7->V8 (I’m not using V9 yet).
