When plotting to PDF in the schematic editor, there is no chance to choose the file name, and if the file with the default name already exists, it is overwritten.
Does someone know if this has been discussed before and some very strong reason for this behaviour explained? A quick search in the forum and open issues in gitlab didn’t turn up anything obvious.
Hi don’t know backstory but confirm that is how it works. Had problem printing in V5 (border offset on page) and was advised to plot. Solved that issue. A possible workaround would be to create a number of directories on Desktop and then using Output directory in your image click on file and change to one of the new directories. Did not find alternate way to change file name.
Edit: does not affect me as am aware but have app on phone that is impossible to close without saving changes, drives me nuts.
This seems to be consistent with how plot to Gerbers works, there is no overwriting check.
This behaviour (no filename) is the same for both Plot-dialogs (eeschema & pcbnew), I think this is the intended behaviour.
I suspect the reason is that “plot” is used for production-files, and therefore only one file should exist (to avoid ambiguity).
No gitlab-issue is open for this, and I have seen no forumdiscussion on this topic in the last year.
I would certainly find it useful to save more than one version of a PDF from the schematic editor, and therefore that it would be possible to change the file name.
For example one in colour, another in black-and-white, a third one with thicker line width for better readability etc. Or just plain documentation from different stages of the design process, or with and without simulation symbols.
I’m okay with KiCad giving the defaults like they are now, so you don’t need to input a file name manually in case you don’t want to change it from the default.
On the genuine production files like Gerbers from the board editor, I haven’t made up my mind, though. I can see that someone could potentially reason like you desctribe on those.
I am not okay with KiCad overwriting a file without notice, though!
Overwriting files without asking might be a thing for hard-core old-style UNIX command line nostalgists, but it is not user friendly in a modern context and user base.
Plot does give a directory option in the window.
If you enter a Name in the Directory filename input field, a new Directory/Folder will be created with the Schematic/etc having the New Name. With that in mind, no need to worry about Overwriting existing file.
Don’t need to bother with dialing-into the location of the New file/dir as it will be Created in the current project - simply enter the New Name…
What happens If you enter both a directory and a file name in the entry box?
I personally prefer silently overwriting existing output files, but I can see the logic in wanting to save under a different filename.
KiCad could do both: Silently overwriting to the default output files, or use the nag screens when saving to another file and that already exists. I have not checked whether it works that way though.
Wasn’t able to enter a file name but could add a directory and it would plot the file (in this case filename pppp) to the new directory I created (This is Not A Test) in the image.
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