Footprint syntax

Layout Footprints
1

Hello, sorry if this question has already been asked but I couldn’t find anything both in KiCad nor in the forum.
I’m in the process of restructuring my footprint library in KiCad 6 and I noticed this difference in footprint syntax:

(footprint "_HF-A21-SMT" (version 20211014) (generator pcbnew)
  (layer "F.Cu")
  (tedit 5AFD7878)
  (attr through_hole)
  (fp_text reference "REF**" (at 0 18.5) (layer "F.SilkS")
    (effects (font (size 1 1) (thickness 0.15)))
    (tstamp f2b2c93b-5573-4218-8f4c-8f1e122bbbb5)
  )
  (fp_text value "VAL**" (at -0.5 15.25) (layer "F.Fab")
    (effects (font (size 1 1) (thickness 0.15)))
    (tstamp 802ad5f5-0f31-4011-a38a-3b42da252023)
  )

(module XDL-MICRO (layer F.Cu) (tedit 61EE4FBC)
  (fp_text reference REF** (at 0 31.115) (layer F.SilkS)
    (effects (font (size 1.2 1.2) (thickness 0.16)))
  )
  (fp_text value XDL-MICRO (at 0 67.945) (layer F.SilkS) hide
    (effects (font (size 1.2 1.2) (thickness 0.16)))
  )

From what I understand, the first one is the S-Expression format which will be used from now on, and I believe the second one is an old footprint, maybe created with KiCad 4, I don’t really know.
I thought the migration to the new format would be done automatically by opening the footprints in KiCad 6, but I was wrong I guess.
Is there a way to convert all the old format footprints in the new format (like the “Migrate libraries” for symbols)? Maybe even a plugin or whatever.

Thanks in advance.

2

When you save them, they should be written out automatically as the new format. There’s no way that I’m aware of to do this for all your libraries, though.

1 Like
3

Edit:
Oops, my bad, I should learn to read before type…

Is this what you mean:

image
image1035×697 108 KB

The screenshot is from: Schematic Editor / Preferences / Manage symbol Libraries

4

Ok this is a nice workaround. Not really super quick, but not too long either. Thanks!

5

Yes, like this but for footprints.

6

As far as I understood it, the symbol format changed completely, which is why there are migrations.

The footprint format changed very slightly in comparison (both versions use S-Expressions), so you can possibly continue to use the old format if you want. Saving them turns them into the new format automatically of course.

1 Like
7

Indeed. Pre- V6 the schematic (and symbol libraries) was not based on S-expressions at all, while the PCB (and probably footprint libraries) was.

1 Like
8

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