How to specify paths to footprint labraries

Schematic Library Symbols
1

So I am setting up my standard parts and I’m looking to link all symbols to the relevant footprints.

I thought that the way to do this was specify the path and if i wanted to use a shorthand to the main location with: ${my_location}

but looking at an existing symbol I see: Oscillator:Oscillator_SMD_Abracon_ABLNO

What does this mean? is “Oscillator:” the footprint library and “Oscillator_SMD_Abracon_ABLNO” the footprint within it? what is the difference between this and ${my_location}

2

Some symbols do have footprints assigned. If you look at the symbol after opening an edit window you should be able to see if this is the case. @Rene_Poschl has put a lot of effort into explaining the library options in detail if you look at the FAQ.

3

Yes, I’m talking about how the syntax works. And no I have been looking in the documentation. Where is the FAQ?

4

You mean here: Library management in KiCad version 5 ?

5

so the bit before the colon is the nickname which is the same as the footprint library folder name? so as long as the footpring library is loaded I can just use it’s name instead of the full path? (with path variables)

6

The nickname is usually the same as the folder name, but it doesn’t have to be.

You must use the nickname, you cannot use a path.

7

ok, well that is news to me. luckily I am right at the start so no harm done so far. So were would I change the nickname if it were to be different? the footprint library is just a folder so nowhere to store properties like a nickname?

8

In the Preferences / Manage FP libraries table

9

so kicad holds the nicknames in a seperate table and should I remove a footprint library and then put it back it would loose that nickname. The folder name is good enough.

10

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