Generally, my approach to Helping others requires them to do enough homework such as to move them from NOOB to a point where they can solve the problem using the ‘incomplete’ info that I provide.
The Video contains a complete image of all the code. Thus, user’s need to figure out How to type it into a text file (with their appropriate changes, per the info), place the file in appropriate location for Plugin on their system.
I know several others have succeeded doing this (I get messages from them) so, I leave it to you… It’s simple to Access/View all the info I posted with the video… Thus, between the Video and Info, you too should be able to get it working.
By your statement of ‘could not find your plugin’ I conclude that you did not fully read the text in the video or my typed info…
Ah, I see. You are making a “plugin” which is actually a “video with no sound”, where the actual info is in the “description”. And the description is not a human-readable text but a “poorly typed Python script”. Now I got it. How noob I am haha. Thanks for your effort.
Well, all I can say re “Poorly typed Python Script” may depend on your system as for me, the typed text is pretty darn clear and the Play settings are set for HD… screenshot just taken of what I see… Pretty darn clear to me… expand the view of image below…
How does somebody go about this witchcraft ? I mean learning to write ‘scripts’ that can interact with KICAD, well scripts in general actually. I can read your script and get the basic idea but no idea where to start Is there a scripting for dummies ? is it a language in its own right ? I write a little C++ and a little BASIC and have messed about with Python. I need something to read thats starts at ABC then moves on to Ladybird books and finally Janet and John
Yours or anyones thoughts on this would be very welcome…cheers.
One problem is that I don’t want to study KiCad programming, I want to make PCBs. When I program something it is either for STM32h ARM or Windows or something else.
For PCBs I have used mature Cad SW.
Briefly, I learned all I needed to know to get started with Plugins for Kicad from this link (you should look for similar but updated…). Also, after success with a minimal test plugin, I reviewed all the stock plugins that come packaged in Kicad and learned a few more useful things.
I searched around and found a couple of posted Plugins to review and came away having learned a few other good things.
Then, I discovered that I could simply write Executable code (Apps) in Java, Basic, C++ and call them from Python in the ‘Simple Plugin’.
Then, I created some Python Apps with GUI panels/etc and called them in the Plugins.
All very simple to do once understanding the Simple Plugin structure from the Link, above.
Complex Plugins also worked well but the Simple works well enough for my needs.
And, your Simple Plugin can call/run external programs such as LibreOffice and any other real App’s… Just need to know the syntax to call them… There are, basically, four ways to Call an executable App from Python and which one depends on your OP system…
While drinking BlackCoffee, I put this Demo together showing Simple-Plugin usage:
Running Plugin containing all the code for the individual Actions taken by button-click’s
Runs Stand-Alone App that lists contents of a Folder
Runs Stand-Alone App that reads the lines in a File (such as PCB file)
Runs Stand-Alone App CopperCAM that I use for PCB Milling Gcode (CopperCAM is a Windows App that runs from calling PlayOnMac). There is a PlayOnLinux, if you’re interested.
Runs LibreOffice’s DataBASE program with my Proj Mgmt Database
The first lesson learned for me is RTFM It now makes an enormous difference for me to see that KICAD is all geared up for this, the fog is clearing and as soon as I get some free time I will explore this further. Thanks for your pointer and encouragement
You can tune the track length (hotkey 7) and also the diff pair length (hotkey 8) as you want. When you have one of those tools selected, you have to launch the window that configure the track length or the diff pair length. You can achieve that with Ctrl+L.
The track length is displayed when you click the track after using the hotkey 7 or 8.
It displays something like this:
current track length / intended track length
By default the intended track length is 100 mm. But you can/have to change it using the shortcut Ctrl+L.
Sort of. I had to manual add corners or wrinkles to the track. The board worked and I have not had enough time really study this much more, and this happened at early summer. I have to check what newer versions of KiCad have. What I would like to have is bit more clever tool. If the two wires/tracks of differential pair are of different length, it should not be very difficult to add something to shorter track, and make them of equal length. Now the tool is a bit silly, or not finished, when it always offers 100 for the length.
Yes, I am not going to learn a new programming language to design PCBs.
Sorry about the delayed answer by the way. I have been busy elsewhere.
You are talking about skew tuning, which works the way you say. Length tuning is the one that you have to specify a target length for (and defaults to 100mm).
you can set the desired length (aka the length of the other wire) in the Length Tuning Settings (CTRL+L or right click after starting length router tool).
Is there a scripting for dummies ? is it a language in its own right ? I write a little C++ and a little BASIC and have messed about with Python. I need something to read thats starts at ABC then moves on to Ladybird books and finally Janet and John 
It now makes an enormous difference for me to see that KICAD is all geared up for this, the fog is clearing and as soon as I get some free time I will explore this further. Thanks for your pointer and encouragement