Components "Superlibrary"

[Rene_Poschl]

@fred4u

Is there an easy way to “save existing component as…” in current library? Say I’m editing my fully specified 39k, 0603 resistor. Then would like to change few data (value, private ID) to match my 43k inventory item, and just SAVE AS new name (reflecting 43k item). Can’t find the way…

in the library tree click duplicate on the component you want to duplicate. (That works for sure) There might also be a save as option (for footprints i am sure. Symbols not so much)

@fred4u

I need to click on the Update field values, check the “Value” property and hit update.
But if I change the Symbol, and click “Update fields” button, it does not update the fields to new values. I must change the symbol, click “OK” to close Symbol properties window (probably then the symbol is updated)

I seem to remember a bug report of this but can not find it right now. Will look again later today.

@fred4u

The reference of my symbol is “R”. It displays in the library editor as “R?”, but once I place the part in my schematic, it displays just “R” without the “?”. If I edit reference, the “R” is selected so i must deselect it and enter my designator. Not so nice.

Care to upload the affected symbol?

@fred4u

I’d like to have such an easy way in Kicad (where I do build the library myself, populating it with my parts). If I do change the schematic during prototyping, i just select another part (say 43k instead of 39k) and all my other references are automatically updated.

I am not sure that a general auto update of all symbols is a good idea. My guess is that you think of a design that might be best done using hierarchical sheets. This might help explain what i mean: Hierarchical or flat schematic design, what is best for me? (How to deal with multi page schematics?)