Default Text Items for New Footprints - Bugged?

Layout Footprints
1

Hello everyone, I’ve run into an issue when trying to change the layer of a Default Text Item for New Footprints in the Footprint Editor Preferences page. Below are screenshots of the process.

I’m attempting to change the layer from F.Silkscreen to F.Fab, but when I select F.Fab in the dropdown menu, it remains F.Silkscreen. In fact, no matter what layer I select in the dropdown, it never changes. If I create a new Text Item, same thing. It defaults to F.Silkscreen and will not allow me to change it.

Some potentially notable conditions:

  • Installed on fresh Windows 10 machine (laptop - for differentiation sake), straight to version 9.0
  • Tried to reinstall version 9.0, issue remains
  • I have version 9.0 installed on a different Windows 10 machine (desktop), but I do not have the issue there!
  • Desktop has gone through multiple iterations of KiCad, possibly all the way back to version 3?
  • I believe I kept/imported user preferences since version 7.0? :man_shrugging: can’t say for sure.

I’m really hoping this is a user error thing, as is usually the case. I really enjoy making my own footprints with custom default values. Is there a radio button or check box I’ve overlooked in the preferences?

Thanks team, you guys rock.

Edit: New user here, so it only let me upload a single screenie. Bummer.
Edit Edit: Oh I even tried to manually change the layer in the .json file with KiCad closed, but to no avail.

Preferences3
Preferences3979×751 28 KB

2

Interesting development.

Since altering the fpedit.json file - Preferences dropdown, still no change. However, when I create a new footprint, said Default Text Item does appear on the F.Fab layer even though it shows as F.Silkscreen in the Preferences.

I don’t know the inner workings of the software, but I suppose this makes sense. Assuming the footprint editor reads the fpedit.json file when a call is made to create a new footprint.

3

This function works for me. I have to create a new footprint from scratch (use the New Footprint icon or Ctrl + N). If it is an existing footprint that is being modified, I need to change the Ref layer in the footprint’s properties.

4

I know the feature works, since it works on my other PC. The setting I want to change is in the Footprint Defaults tab in the Footprint Editor section of the system Preferences.

It’s not a matter of changing the values once a footprint has been created or copied. I have specific variables I would like on predetermined layers upon creation of a new footprint.

5

ksnip_20250410-172347
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As you can see, this works for me, but I’m not on windows.
Sorry can’t help you.

6

I can help with this. You are now able to load multiple “screenies” as you have promoted yourself to Basic over the last few minutes. See here for the explanation. :grinning: