I am new to KICAD and installed V6.0.5. on Win10.
I recently got the library for KiCad from a component company.
Those 4 files I received are *.kicad_mod, *.dcm, *.lib and *.mod.
It seems that these are for V5.x, right?
I tried to find the way (in this forum) how to make V6.0 read these files but failed.
Could you let me know the helpful posts in this forum?
Thanks.
kikoo
Hi @essainc
Did you download the libraries that are included in 6.0.5?
If the libraries you acquired are just Kicad libraries, the 6.0.5 libraries will be updated versions.
Mouser Electronics, electronic component provider, sent me those files.
They sent not only kicad but also many other CAD like Altium, Pads and so on.
The 4 files exist in “kicad” folder.
The file extensions like *.kicad_mod, *.dcm, *.lib and *.mod. are no longer used in Kicad_V6, right? KiCad - V6 uses different file extensions like *.kicad_sym or *.pretty, right?
Do I have to convert or migrate these files ?
Thanks & Best Regards,
kikoo
You will need to place them in a personal library, then, when opened, Kicad will show a button to convert.
Thanks a lot!! 50% solved!!
I did what you instructed and the symbol successfully added.
(I made the folder under my working directory…)
But… When I add the symbol on the schematic, the symbol ONLY show up.
The footprint does NOT show.
If I open *.kicad_mod by using footprint-editor, it WORKS.
→ This means the foot-print file is correct, right?
How can I show symbol and footprint simultaneously when adding symbol?
Best Regards, kikoo
One more info…
It only show “Invalid footprint specified” on the black background.
I’m not sure how familiar you are with Kicad, so bear with me.
You created or had a personal schematic library, into which you imported a symbol.
Did you create or have a personal footprint library, into which you imported the footprint?
Footprint and symbol libraries are independent. Footprints and symbols cannot be shown together.
Symbols can only be viewed in the symbol editor or the schematic editor.
Footprints can only be viewed in the footprint editor or PCB editor.
Footprints need to be associated with symbols.
To do this, double click on the symbol when it is in the schematic editor and a symbol properties window will show. The third line down reads “Footprints”.
Click in the value box of the footprint line. 3 books will show at the RHS of that value box.
Click on those books.
You will now open a footprint window.
Navigate to your personal footprint library and then your imported footprint.
Double click on your footprint.
Your Symbol Properties window will reappear with the link to your footprint in the footprint box.
Go to “Tools” update “PCB from schematic” and your footprint will be on the PCB.
In KiCad V5:
*.lib is the library file containing some symbols,
*.dcm is probably automatically generated form *.lib so you can delete it and it will be back.
*.pretty is the directory name that is also footprint library, each file in that library is the separate footprint
*.kicad_mod are the footprints
*.mod - I don’t know - may be it is from V4.
In KiCad V6:
*.lib are replaced by *.kicad_sym
With footprint nothing changed regarding a file names.
I have not opened KiCad V6 libraries so I don’t know if *.dcm is also generated or may be other name.
*.dcm no longer exists.
I also do not know *.mod.
Hi jmk and Poitr,
All problems SOLVED!!
I changed the symbol property as you told…—> Now I see the footprint on PCB tool !!
As I told you in the first message, I am TOTALLY newbie- only one-week old in Kicad field!
I am very happy with your fantastic response and can’t thank you enough !!!
Best Regards,
kikoo
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