From a vendor datasheet (a diode) I can obtain the following sketch of a device’s footprint:
How can I match this to an existing Kicad-footprint?
How can I match this to an existing Kicad-footprint?
Look at the similar Diode footprints to find a match . . . or even quicker, make your own footprint.
Thanks. At the recommended “quicker” method I’m stuck at the moment. I have opened the symbol editor and began to draw rectangles. They are not filled, like an SMD pad should be. Nor can I add any dimensions to them, at least I don’t know how to achieve that. Help appreciated.
Ah, I see, have to use the footprint editor.
Being in that, how is the coordinate system defined ? And how a rectangle?
OK, I managed to create the 2 pads for the diode using the “add pad” icon (orange circles). The proposed pads radius was too smooth. I chose radius .05.
Positioning (MOV to exact position) and resizing went fine.
Now I’m at the point to save the footprint but I’m told there is no library chosen. How can I repair this situation now?
You have to have your own libraries.
Footprint libraries are file folders. Probably you can create it with KiCad but I was doing it when KiCad was V4 and I probably just used file manager.
Then you have to add your library in library list.
I don’t see KiCad footprints as I have only my libraries in library list. My way of creating footprints based on KiCad footprint is by copying KiCad footprint files with name suggesting that they can be what I need into my library then when I see them I delete all except one that I modify to my needs and rename as I want.
Follow this FAQ to create personal symbol and footprint libraries.
Anything you don’t understand, just ask on this forum.
That is a bit of a weird way of doing it. The “normal” method is to look at the name of the package for the diode, and then use a footprint from that. With a little search I found a picture with an overview of diodes:
So it’s probably a SOD-123, but that should be mentioned in the datasheet too. It could also be some other footprint that is not mentioned in that picture, such as one of the MELF sizes.
But also, with that pad layout you have all the info needed to make a footprint for it yourself. You can add some silkscreen graphics too. Using pads with rounded corners is better for DFM, and also an IPC recommendation.