How to make a new (modified) footprint (revised)

[JohnRob]

Hi,
I’m new to KiCad. So far I’be bumbled my way through making a schematic, associating parts and laying out the board.
I’m using KiCad 4.0.7 and WIndows 10 pro /64

I’ve deleted the link to Github for the libraries and am working with the default KiCad Libraries.

Now I have changed a diode from a 2 lead device to a SOT-23-3 CNA. However there is no CNA device in the footprint library. Only ANC and one other. So I watched a youtube tutorial and it showed me how to create a footprint, however I don’t know where the link for the diode Anode and Cathode pins is defined. Can someone enlighten me?

Thanks John

Also, my file C:\Users\john\AppData\Roaming\kicad\kicad_commmon still has a reference to github. should this be deleted?

kicad_common file listing:
kicad_fplib_url=https://github.com/KiCad
WorkingDir=C:\Program Files\KiCad
ShowEnvVarWarningDialog=1
PdfBrowserName=
UseSystemBrowser=1
Editor=C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
[EnvironmentVariables]
KICAD_PTEMPLATES=C:\Program Files\KiCad\share\kicad\template\
KISYS3DMOD=C:\Program Files\KiCad\share\kicad\modules\packages3d\
KISYSMOD=C:\Program Files\KiCad\share\kicad\modules\

[hermit]

Can you supply a link to the data sheet?

[JohnRob]

The datasheet is at: http://www.onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/BZX84C2V4ET1-D.PDF

It turns out I may be able to use the ANK version of the SOT-23 because the pin numbers on the mfg data sheet do no match the footprint library… I would still like to know where the schematic pin binds to the footprint pin,

Thanks John

[hermit]

They simply bind by pin number. You can change the pin numbering by editing the footprint. You will want to save it with a unique name in a new custom library of parts.

[Rene_Poschl]

You might want to take a look at this FAQ article. (To read the full post click on the link. Or on the top right corner of the gray area.)

Creating a new footprint library

Introduction Where should i place my new library? Further reading: Library management in KiCad version 5 This depends on your personal preference. KiCad does not care where you place your libs as long as your operating system allows you to write to the selected location. If the library will be used to store project specific footprints then it makes sense to place the library file somewhere under the project directory. All other libs are best collected into a single directory that is somewhere…

[JohnRob]

Thank you both…that is what I needed.

Any thoughts about the kicad_common entry “kicad_fplib_url=https://github.com/KiCad” ?

John

[bobc]

I think you can ignore it, I’m not even sure where it’s used.

ETA: looks like the Footprint Libraries Wizard uses it to store the last place github libs were downloaded from, the “Github repository” field in the “Add Footprint Libraries Wizard” dialog.