Kicad 5.1 various questions

Software
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Hi
I started using Kicad 5.1 version, on ubuntu bionic and I’m new to this (worked a bit in Altium, eagle DYI).
So, questions:

  1. When I draw graphics lines in Pcbnew I cannot use hotkeys (m,e) is this bug or with purpose, or there is a way? Moving/Editing parts with hotkeys is ok.
  2. What means “Set origin point for the grid” ? Since it is not changing X,Y global in status bar (they are still referring to upper left corner).
  3. How to change clearance (Inspect -> DRC->Clearance (default by netclass) )?
  4. Since I’m looking for tutorials online, how to change pad to mask clearance (previous version Dimensions->… or Setup -> … global options), now there is no Dimension/Setup?
    Thanks
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I can move and edit lines and everything else with “m” and “e” in 5.1

It is some kind of grid offset. The absolute grid origin is still the (0,0) at the top left corner.

Now these settings are under File->Board setup or second icon on the top toolbar.

These settings have been “relocated” on other menus. For example, View->Grid settings. We need to search a bit…

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Yes, it is used to set offset for grid location. Drawing the grid starts normally from (0,0), and x and y locations of the grid points are calculated starting from there. Setting the grid origin starts grid from a new location. It moves the hole grid but doesn’t affect the absolute or relative coordinate system or coordinates in any way.

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Hi thanks,
I don’t how to quote here, so will mention @pedro, I’m using ubuntu bionic and it doesn’t work, are you using the same?
Can you give me example where grid offset would be useful ?
Thanks

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I’m using kubuntu 14.04. Not ready to move to 18.04 yet, though I know I’ll do it before summer :slight_smile:

Routing a BGA if the pads are not on the grid. Usually we put the footprint anchor on the grid and the pads are not on it.
I set the grid origing on a pad. Then I choose a user grid of 1/4 or 1/8 the distance between pads. Now I can route the tracks exactly in the middle of two pads using a “comfortable” grid.

Or routing tracks through a 40 pin connector of 2.54 pitch that is placed in a mm grid.

There could be several uses.

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Highlight the text you want to quote using the left mouse button. Then left-mouse-click the gray "Quote button that pops up.

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Thanks @Russ applied :).

Please let me know if you find problem for my version :).
I just started to play with so think we will discuss more in near future :).

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Are you trying to move/edit a line within a footprint?
Can you share the board (or part of it) with the problems?

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No just draw the line, step over it and press edit. Even while you are in drawing mode, hotkey edit doesn’t work. Even when you are right click on the line there is no Properties option. I think this is a bug.
Here is a picture of right click on the line (fabrication layer if it is needed, but isn’t relevant):
image

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This is the pop-up menu I get when right-clicking on no element at all.

Can you draw a horizontal or vertical line, click on it with the left button and press “e”?
Select a “big” grid, 1 mm for example.

I guess you have already tried this trick and many other ones, but just in case…

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Exactly, no it doesn’t work :slight_smile:

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What KiCad version are you running?

Mine is
Application: kicad
Version: 5.1.1-8be2ce7~80~ubuntu14.04.1, release build

You are discouraging me from installing 18.04. I will try in another computer before upgrading.

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image
image807×547 71.7 KB

We need to raise this as a bug, don’t worry hope will be some patch for this :).
Or I’m doing something not good (but doubt so).

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About the:

Set origin of grid

with shortcut key “s”

It’s function is a bit hard to decipher, because the new grid “origin” is placed on an existing grid point.
You will understand if you use a grid of 100mill, and then place a standard dip on it.
Then press “s” and select one of the pins of the DIP as the origin. The location you selected will get a grey circle with a slanted cross.
If you then switch to a metric grid (for example 1mm) then you see that the new metric grid is now oriented on the grid point you selected in the previous step.

Edit:
After Pedro’s post below I did some more experimenting.
When relocating the grid with “s” it snaps to endpoints of lines on at least board outline, courtyard and silk screen layers and apparrently also to other graphic objects such as the center of an arc. It does not seem to snap to pads or tracks.

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Not mandatory. The minimum grid is 0.001x0.001 mm, while the new origin can perfectly be at (50.565656 , 50.232323), out of any possible grid.

It will be of course a point of the “new” grid.

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