How to move components with tracks connected?

That is what I did. It resulted in the same outcome. Both D and M did NOT move the tracks.
I just remembered that Windows did an update just prior (a day or 2) my experiencing this problem. Could this be related to Windows 11?

Pressing D instead of using mouse button to drag the item when a part is selected does indeed move the part with tracks connected.

Unfortunately, this function does not seem to be listed in any menu nor the hotkey list.

The M function which is the default is listed as the first in the context menu, D for moving tracks in hotkeys, D for moving parts I cannot find anywhere.

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The above does not tell me what version I have at the moment…

Please see the hotkey list below. Yes it seems sort of buried in there…

I get this context menu when I select a footprint and click on the right mouse button.

I tried the demo programs that are provided with KiCad 8. They exhibit the same issue. I tried moving a through hole part using the D command and it failed to move the trace. (The PIC Programmer demo project).

I did not install the demo projects (and I do not want to do so) but I suspect that would not teach us anything…

The same problem appearing on the demo programs indicates it is not a problem unique to my project, but something in KiCad 8 that is interacting with my PC to cause the issue. Obtaining a copy of my project would not help toward solving my problem; you could use the demo projects since they re-create the problem with my PC and my copy of KiCad.

Probaby an option somewhere that you’ve flipped inadvertently, but I don’t see anything that might be a candidate.


Is this it?

Try 45 degree mode.

So a “BUG” fix involving discovering the option flipped and making note of it in the documentation so that users can correct the issue looks to be direction this is heading.
I am a hardware and embedded programmer type, not an application of Window’s guru. I am stuck as to where to go next.

I was in 45 degree mode. I change to free angle with no difference in dragging. I used the D command.
Same with the Move selection.

Yes, there are D an G commands for tracks, as seen in the menu when a track is selected:

As well as in the hotkey list.

That the D command actually does something for non-tracks (as well as the G that is no longer listed when a track is not selected) is, uhm, not clear.

Not the developers changing things, the user. It happens all the time. People inadvertently flip things in the preferences available and this only shows up when it doesn’t behave as before.

I just noticed while poking around the preferences that I had chosen F to mean flip left-right instead of top-bottom. It would have puzzled me the next time I tried to use F.

Funny. I would expect “F” to mean “potato.” :crazy_face:

Seriously, this issue is a strange one and I am out of ideas. Other than the Win11 version as the OP was wondering?

I think the description text for hotkey D is out of date and should be reported. It is however documented:

The 45 degree track mouse-drag mode seems to be the default, and it does work for, uhm, tracks.

It does not affect dragging other parts.

So, when I lay down tracks, how do I know whether the tracks are connected to the pad? I always tried moving the part to see if the track moves with it. So, if I am not connected to the pad, how do I connect? Is there a setting that I flipped that tells KiCad 8 how to connect to the pad?

After you have laid the track you can use the net highlighter (hotkey `) to check if it’s all one net. DRC will also report any unconnected pads.

On the demo project, I verified the traces do not move with the part. I ran the DRC check and there were no errors for traces not being connected. I saw about 10 or more warnings about footprints not being in the library and 4 errors about thermal connections to ground planes. No non-connected traces.

OK, you play around with enough things and you realize you may have mis-read a suggestion. I changed the Track mouse-drag mode in the “PCB” window when BobZ suggested the change to 45 degree mode. I just tried it in the “Project” window and looks like that may be the answer. I tried it on the demo project and now on my own project. Select the part, use the D command and the component moves with the traces attached.
Thank you folks for staying with me and helping me solve my problem.

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