Kicad Version: (5.1.2)-2 user here. Stuck with a Windows 7 system for now, because this old Lenovo cannot be upgraded.
After looking through some of the related discussion threads, I am still a bit confused. Sometimes, the users are told that a component (or something “close enough”) exists in the standard library. However, I want to familiarize myself with the process of setting up a new library item. I can look up a component in, for example, Digi-Key and see that I can download symbol and footprint information. I then get a .ZIP file in my Download folder. Maybe I’m a bit lazy, because I don’t want to take the time to see if there is already something in the library that’s good enough. But sooner or later, I am going to find a component that is definitely not there.
What is a good source of instruction for creating a personal library, using the contents of a downloaded .ZIP file and keeping libraries organized?
This is explained pretty much in the KiCad manuals. The basics are in the “getting started”, while the schematic and PCB editor manuals handle library management more thoroughly.
KiCad V6 was a huge step forward. It introduced a new file format for the schematic editor and it (finally) embedded al used symbols in the schematic itself, so there is no more dependency on external libraries (the “-cache” and “-rescue” files have disappeared in V6).
In the KiCad section of EEVblog, there are also tutorials for installing a more modern KiCad version on windoze 7.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/kicad/
I wrote a FAQ about Personal Library setup. This also may be helpful to you. Find it here.
From memory, I think the only thing not available in Kicad 5 is the “Pin” function.
The docs for 5.1 are online, you just have to pick the version from the dropdown.
The instructions for importing a symbol from a file are in the eeschema documentation, and for footprints, in the pcbnew documentation. Before you do any imports, read jmk’s FAQ about personal library setup.
And because this is 5.1 you’ll have to specify this version to non-KiCad library sites. The zip file will contain .lib, maybe .dcm, and .kicad_mod files.
You may encounter errors in pin types from non-KiCad library sites but that’s a problem you’ll have to deal with later.
Many Thanks to everyone who responded. I attempted to install Kicad 8.08 into Windows 7 using some batch files supplied by another user. The batch files failed to run and could not set up the installation in the Program Files folder. I think I needed to do this as an administrator. Since this is a second-hand computer, I’m probably not gonna figure out how to log in as an administrator.
So for now, I will keep plugging away with version 5.1 and when I’m ready to send project files to a fabricator, I will contact them for details.
You should upgrade to 5.1.12.
From 5.1.2 to 5.1.12 there are 10 releases each having something about 100 bugs fixed (so total close to 1000).
You might find this plugin useful. KiCad Import-LIB-KiCad-Plugin , memo : Import Workflow
Microsoft support for Windows 7 ended in January 2020, so considering the security risks, we recommend upgrading as soon as possible. Alternatively, you might consider switching to Linux.
When installing Windows, you can run the command “setup.exe /product server” to make it behave like a Windows Server installation and potentially avoid some hardware requirements.
We recommend searching for your PC model name for success stories. Also, if you have an older HDD, replacing it with an SSD can dramatically improve speed. For more information, search for your model in the Lenovo forums and contact support.