There is also automotion plugin on Kicad repository to generate the output files needed to PCB production and assembly (you still need to specify the part number of the components).
I know KiCad footprints are available, but they are not usually available for the parts I am looking for. I would like to be able to download the footprints from JLCPCB/EasyEDA as they are, in my experience, a good match for the components and it seems redundant to create them again if they are already available. But, if there is no solution to download them from JLCPCB, then I’m going to have to design them myself. Regarding the link you sent, it seems to me that that is a plugin for downloading 3D models of finished boards from EasyEDA, and not for footprints, please correct me if I’m wrong.
That might be useful later on when I’m sending the board off for manufacturing, do you by any chance remember what’s the name of the plugin. I found this one: https://github.com/bennymeg/JLC-Plugin-for-KiCad.
Search for JLC in the plugin manager.
If you just want to get some footprints that are not in KiCad quickly, then websites such as SnapEda and PCB libraries are also options. I do not see a good reason for only looking at import from Easy EDA just because you want to buy your PCB’s from JLC.
KiCad 7.99 can use footprints from EasyEDA Std boards (and EasyEDA Pro projects) directly.
Open LCSC footprint in EasyEDA Std:
Export the board with footprint(s):
Add the file as a footprint library in KiCad:
Now you can use it in KiCad:
After you’ve added these footprints to your board, you can run the “EasyEDA 3D Loader” plugin to fetch STEP 3D models.
That definitely is a good solution, my reason for wanting to import from EasyEDA is that they already have the exact footprint for the part you want to use, and there is no scouring dozens of websites looking for one.
I didn’t know it would be so simple. I am very new to this, but where can I get KiCad 7.99, I tried googling but nothing much came up, only the repository for 7.99, do I have to build it from source?
7.99 is also called Nightly Development Builds, or just “Nightlies”.
https://www.kicad.org/ then choose your poison OS, I mean.
7.99 (Nightlies) can be found under the current Stable Release.
BE AWARE: Kicad 7.99 is a development program that may have many bugs. It will become Kicad 8 around Feb.2024.
Anything made with 7.99 CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED WITH 7.0.x. (that includes 7.0.9 & 7.0.10)
Once you are in 7.99 with a project, there is no way back to 7.0.x. with that project.
an other nice option, available even for kicad v5
Both SnapEDA and PCB libraries each have over a million of footprints available. There are about a dozen of such sites, and you only need to pick one. I have been confused about how they get the data for some time, and it appears that the part manufacturers put effort and money into it make it easier to use their parts.
Also, Do you have some kind of overview of the footprints you need?
I am “old school” myself. I usually make my own footprints, and would have made a handful of them easily in the two days this thread is running. Making a footprint takes somewhere between 5 minutes (for something simple) and half an hour (for more complicated footprints).
It’s exactly this that I used last time (I had also contributed with some coffee improvement). See that you can install directly by Kicad without concern with manual download.
I try to use the base Kicad libraries, always that is puddle, and draw my specific part missing on official library. With the adjustment of plugin to export the assembly file I never experienced much problem.
Looks like I’m blind. Thanks for the help.
jmk pointed me in the right direction, I was able to download the 7.99 nightly, and the feature works as advertised, I’m definitely gonna use it when KiCad 8 comes out. For now though I think I’m gonna keep using KiCad 7 and use the easyeda2kicad script maui recommended. Thanks.
This is what I’m looking for, I downloaded the script, and it works like a charm. Thanks.
I understand wanting to make your own footprints, I am like that when it comes to 2D graphical design. But, I am new to this so wanted to make it easier for myself, although I’m probably going to need to make some footprints myself for the stuff that’s not on JLC or SnapEDA. I’m mostly going to use footprints for microcontroller boards and some SMD connectors, nothing to special, or hard to make.
in mouser electronics
ultra librarian
snapEDA
This kind of web sites u can download schematic,footprint and 3D model.
this all are very useful