How to add Value fields in schematic symbols

Schematic
1

Hi - rookie here running Kicad V9.

Is it possible to add and place several value fields in a schematic symbol ?.

I have created a new symbol (using exisisting symbol as template) in symbol library for a Transformer with multiple secondary windings.
I would like to add a value field next to all Windings to fill in Voltage values for the windings, when placed in the schematic.
Is that possible - and how ?

I apologize if the topic already has been described, please guide me to that topic then.
Thanks in advance.

2

You can have only one value field per symbol.

But you may add a unlimited number of user fields to any symbol.
Look into the documentation:Schematic Editor | 9.0 | English | Documentation | KiCad

Aditional custom fields can be created with the “symbol properties” dialog (doubleclick on empty space around the symbol)

3

This suggests that you have added new symbol in KiCad symbol library.
If yes than this is wrong way. You should make your personal libraries for this.

4

Hi Piotr -

I was not totally clear in my question.
My new symbol was added to my user library - i.e. the symbol library named the same as the project name - in the projects folder.
Its not the default kicad library, which I know is Read-only thus you cannot add new symbols here.

Thanks for thoughts.

5

Thanks mf_ibfeew -

Thats exactly what I found out by trial and error - my best learning method :wink:
My remaining problem is to safely place fields physically in the symbol, such they appear logically on the component when placed in the schematic.
I have tried messing around with Position X, Position y values in the prperties - in symbol editor.
AND saved it each time I made a correction.

Then I close all files and projects and make a fresh restart to load my schematic again.
When I now place the freshly edited and saved symbol from my user library, the field positions tend to be arbitrary - either they appear as a stack under the symbol reference postion - or they seemingly appear to be positioned increasingly to the left of the symbol.

I can however place the fields to my wish in the schematic and fill in the values.

Oh well - I guess its a question of more messing around and learn how things appear.
Thanks a lot for your suggestions - appreciated !

6

Most probably you have reached 95% of your destionation and only the “automatic fields placement” is disturbing you.

Try: global preferences–>Schematic Editor–>Editing options–>Symbol Field automatic placement–>disable automatic placement.

You have also the possibility to disable the “automatic placement” for every added field in the symbol editor:

  • doubleclick field to get “Edit xyz field” dialog
  • disable checkbox “Allow automatic placement”
7

Thats it !

Was just gonne replay with my findings and now I can tell you I reached my destination !
Under field properties I uncheked “Allow automatic placement” for all my fields in question - worked a treat :wink:

Thanks for the journey - learned loads :innocent: