Libraries-Footprints-Models-Symbol Stuck in Limbo!

[BlackCoffee]

Upgrading from v5 to v6 was Not a problem.
Upgrading from v6 to v7 is a Rabbit-Hole.
I did Not discover the v7 problems until today because until now, I only fooled around testing new features and wasn’t concerned about my footprints, symbols and projects (old or new).

But, now, starting a new project, I re-discover the Misery of using Kicad with it’s Miserable file mgmt.

I’m willing to say the problem is ‘Me’ but, no matter how many times I go back to the basics, I can’t get passed the point of it Not Working as expected…

Yes, I reviewed the Doc’s and info and think I understand but, I still fall-off the cliff…

Starting Fresh, Out of frustration, I Completely Uninstalled Kicad and Cleaned my System.
I installed Kicad v7.0.6.
I Linked my Paths(.mod, .STEP, Templates, Plugins…)

My Plugins work.
My Templates work.
My Footprints and Symbols show in the Selection panels.
My STEP files show in the Selection panels and, in the Footprint-Editor’s Properties I can point to my STEP file. No RED error icon and no message.

But, No 3D-model shows in either the Editor or the PCB.

I also placed some .STEP files in the /…/documents/Kicad/7.0/3dmodels and 3rdparty folders. I can select them (as I can also select them from my custom folders) BUT, they don’t show (and, I don’t get RED error icon).

Example below…

[jbell]

This is an interesting problem. I didn’t have high hopes for me having something to contribute to this, but I checked anyways. I’ve only used footprints/symbols that I’ve made/imported up to this point, so I’ve never noticed this. However, when looking at the default libraries that came with the installation, my 3D models are broken too even though I’ve never touched them.

Also interesting, the 3D model is trying to link to something with a KiCAD 6 directory I think? Here’s a screenshot of a random part I opened:

I’m using Version 7.0.5, release build.

[BlackCoffee]

I tested the same part you show and got the same result - the RED icon.
When I Re-Set the path and select the file, No more RED icon but, No Model (Step or wrl).

I think I may revert back to v6 (it worked without Misery)… but, would rather have v7’s upgraded features…

[gkeeth]

The footprint you show does not and never has had a 3D model included with KiCad (you can check your library installation; there are no 3D models for anything in the keyboard switches library). That just means that no one has created and submitted an appropriate model to the libraries.

The KiCad library policy is to put 3D model paths into footprints even if the 3D model file doesn’t exist yet. That way if someone submits a model, they don’t have to update the footprint to add the path. Whether or not this is a good policy has been discussed at length on this forum, but there are at least reasons for it.

As for the 6 vs 7 in the variable, KiCad 7 accepts either as long as you don’t have a KICAD6_… variable explicitly defined yourself.

Tl;dr your lib setup is probably fine - look at a resistor or LED footprint that actually has a model and see if that looks ok.

[teletypeguy]

I feel your frustration @blackcoffee, but kicad v7 really is quite good so I would recommend working through the issues rather than moving back to v6. I started with kicad early v6 and the after some initial playing the first thing I did was to start building a personal library. I converted a bunch of lib stuff I had from eagle, copied some stuff from kicad’s libs, made some new parts, and plodded forward. My standalone v6 lib migrated flawlessly to v7, and then I tweaked it to use v7 database functionality. I really couldn’t be happier with the way v7 works for me. I can’t speak to any issues with the built-in v7 lib as I don’t use it (except to maybe copy a part out here and there).

I have kicad v7 running on linux and winblows-10 and it seems identical (except lack of dark mode on win). I know you are on mac so I can’t comment on that kicad platform, but I suspect that kicad is just dandy on a mac as well.

I know you have experience with kicad, but for the sake of thread completeness let me detail out a few library things I have done, in case it is useful to anyone:

I have my personal kicad lib all in one folder …kicad/gil-lib and have sub-folders for /symbols, /footprints, and /3dmodels (also /datasheets and /database, but that is optional stuff).

The /symbols folder simply has the one big-o kicad symbol file (gil-sym.kicad_sym in my case). The symbol editor tweaks the symbol graphic and provides linkage to the footprint(s). Note: for database use, these footprint links are ignored, but for most users the symbol editor is how you map a symbol to a footprint.
I set a “default” footprint:

And if the symbol works with multiple packages, in addition to a default footprint I add a footprint filter with a trailing asterisk (the kicad docs said not to do both, but I did and it works fine). For example, this one lets me select either a sot23 or sc70 package for this part:

The /footprints folder has all of the .kicad_mod files. I use my own naming convention (C_xxx, D_xxx, U_xxx…):

Then in the 3D-Model tab of the Footprint-Properties dialog, the models all use ${KICAD_USER_3DMODEL_DIR to find the step files. I have all of my 3d models in my library /3dmodels folder, and that path mapping gets done in Preferences/Configure-Paths:

So each 3dmodel is mapped in each footprint .kicad_mod file to the corresponding step file. The footprint properties lets you not only find and open a step file for the part, but scoot the part around and rotate to fit the pads if needed (eg: models you scrounge from wherever). This 3dmodel link is then embedded into the footprint file. Also, you can open a footprint file with a lowly text editor and tweak or add the 3d model there (if the step file does not exist it is just quietly ignored):

fwiw

[teletypeguy]

@blackcoffe – did you configure this path?

[BlackCoffee]

@teletypeguy Good post - thank you.

However, Because I have various Folders with setups for Programming, CAD, Kicad, my Custom Apps, CNC/Coppercam and a host of other reasons, I prefer Not changing anything that affects them. Kicad drastically affected them and the deeper I got, the deep the hole went. You know what I mean… Yeah, I could solve it in one manner or another but, why?

I solved my problem (thanks to OSX’s ‘Time Machine’ and now, I’m 99.9% restored to v6.0.11 and all is good… (just 0.1% to finish up). What a PITA!!!

I do (did) like v7 but grew tired of messing with solutions that, at best, were setting me up for down-the-road further problems.

I agree with your inference that One folder (thus, one path, one headache) is a good solution but, to do that, I’d also need to change multiple Python Apps (my code) and I don’t want to bother. Perhaps by end of year I’ll chance upgrading again but, for now, I’ll live with v6.

This has the added benefit that, without v7, my efforts to Help others on this site will be reduced, giving me more time to play guitar (only been practicing it for a few yrs, since about 1955).

[BlackCoffee]

Yes, I configured it and everything else - about 70% of the configurations worked, the other 30% didn’t and no obvious reasons for it… Sometimes, Kicad magically replaced good links/paths with bad one’s. Also, many of the footprints, although good, had problems.

For many, I was able to Import them (the same exact one’s) and they worked.

Open Source… go figure…

Back to original Path: All is good…

[teletypeguy]

@BlackCoffee

giving me more time to play guitar (only been practicing it for a few yrs, since about 1955).

…on one of your cool hand-built jazz guitars, no doubt

[BlackCoffee]

My giving up was too unsettling and drove me to cleaning out the system and reinstall v7.

Re-install was too quick and simple and, So Far (fingers crossed) I appear to have succeeded in getting all my stuff linked up without any difficulty (four mouse clicks) and I’m a happy camper. In fact, everything is working! Now, back to Guitar…