Including custom libraries when updating to KiCAD 9.0

[mike_redant]

OK, I seem to recall having this issue when updating to a new version previously, and I don’t think I ever worked out how to fix it automatically.

I have a bunch of custom symbol and footprint libraries. The location of these libraries is defined via environment variables (KICAD_USER_3DMODEL_DIR, KICAD_USER_FOOTPRINT_DIR, KICAD_USER_SYMBOL_DIR).

However, if I open up either the Symbol Library Editor, or the Footprint Library Editor, none of my custom libraries are visible. Similarly, if I open up an existing schematic, save it as v9.0 and then go to place a new symbol, I can’t choose any of my custom symbols because the libraries don’t pop up in the list of available libraries.

Can anyone explain what I need to do to automatically migrate all my custom libraries across to the new version? I did a search on here, and read the V9.0 doco, but couldn’t find any answer

[retiredfeline]

Unfortunately there is no official automatic fix, it’s an old bugbear. The procedure is the same as for registering a personal library. For symbols:

Schematic Editor | 9.0 | English | Documentation | KiCad

For footprints, the corresponding section is:

PCB Editor | 9.0 | English | Documentation | KiCad

Many people have developed their own hacks, usually involving editng the table files directly. For example:

KiCad Library Migration

Hi All, I have installed the new KiCad however as always, I am having trouble migrating my global libraries. How Can i migrate libraries across version, so it keeps the correct library links and 3D model links? More is it possible to keep the library descriptions from previous versions? I have more than 50 libraries so doing this manually is a pain

[mike_redant]

Thanks. I ended up just cut-n-pasting all the custom library stuff from the V8.0 fp-lib-table and sym-lib-table files into the V9.0 files.

Certainly a bit of a backdoor hack, but got the job done!

[Piotr]

@mike_redant

Thanks. I ended up just cut-n-pasting all the custom library stuff from the V8.0 fp-lib-table and sym-lib-table files into the V9.0 files.

I am using only my libraries (this is the key here). When moving V5-V6-V7-V8 at first run of schematic and first run of PCB I had to select (one from 3 options) to use my library lists and KiCad asked me to show him the lists.
The only problem was that window opened for it by KiCad didn’t show system/hidden files so I had to copy sym-lib-table and fp-lib-table files somewhere before this first run. Then, after KiCad copied lists from there I could remove them.
I didn’t moved to V9 yet but believe it will be as easy as it was in past.

[DMReavis]

Ok, same issue here. I found my librariies in KiCad 8 folders – can I find a step-by-step guide to moving them to KiCad 9 ??

[mike_redant]

Go into your users/{user_name}/AppData/Roaming/kicad/8.0 folder

Find the fp-lib-table and sym-lib-table files

In there, you will find all the entries for your custom libraries. For example, in my fp-lib-table file, I have (amongst others) this custom library listed:

(lib (name “Transformer_THT_1”)(type “KiCad”)(uri “${KICAD_USER_FOOTPRINT_DIR}/Transformer_THT_1.pretty”)(options “”)(descr “”))

Just copy all the custom library entries, and then go to the corresponding fp-lib-table file in the users/{user_name}/AppData/Roaming/kicad/9.0 folder directory and append them to the end of that file.

Repeat with the sym-lib-table file.

You also need to ensure that the KICAD_USER_FOOTPRINT_DIR and KICAD_USER_SYMBOL_DIR are correctly defined in Preferences/Configure Paths within KiCad