Importing updated netlist without changing the previous placement

Press: [F8]
Then carefully read the options you have during the update process.

Also:

  • If you’re woried about the results of any action in KiCad, then just make a backup before you do that operation.
  • Almost any operation can be undone with [Ctrl + Z]
  • Save your stuff before a “dangerous” operation. If it turns out badly and [Ctrl + Z] does not work, you can always still just exit KiCad without saving (But making a backup beforehand is a better option).
  • If you make a backup every now and then, it gives you ease of mind, and you have more incentive to do a “dangerous” operation. The worst that can happen is that you lost your time between the last backup and when *&^%$#@! happens.

Here are some more thoughts about intermediate backups:

In short:

  • Git is powerful, but takes effort to learn.
  • Zipping up the whole KiCad directory is simple and still effective.
  • KiCad has a built in “Archive” option in it’s Project manager.
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