I’ve created a project in KiCad 5. I’m new to this, so I hadn’t been aware of the different versions and updates. Is there any option to simulate it directly within KiCad 5, or would I need to use an external tool? If simulation is possible, could someone guide me through the process or provide tips on setting it up effectively? I’d appreciate any advice on how to ensure accurate simulation results
KiCad V5 is really very old. Why keep on using such an old version if the newer KiCad versions have much better support for simulating schematics. And there have been a ginormous amount of improvements in a gazillion other parts of KiCad too. On top of that, KiCad V5 is now so old that most people have already forgotten the details and peculiarities of how it worked.
If I download a newer version of KiCad, can I import a project created in KiCad 5 into the newer version? I downloaded KiCad 7 and tried importing, but it failed
Yes this is fully supported. However, what do you mean with:
There is no separate “import” function for older KiCad versions. You just open the project with the new KiCad version. And then, if you open the schematic the “rescue” dialog should pop up, as KiCad has to fix a bunch of issues that were present in old KiCad versions. Make sure that you keep the [project]-cache.lib and [project]-rescue.lib inside your project. KiCad needs these files to properly convert a KiCad V5 project to a newer version.
1 Like
In general, importing from older to newer works. There may be some unnoticed bug, though. But we don’t know what you mean by “it failed”. EDIT: Paul was faster again.
1 Like
How can I include [project]-cache.lib and [project]-rescue.lib in my project?
When I opened my KiCad 5 project in KiCad 7, it kept asking for the rescue files each time I opened the project. Additionally, while doing the PCB design, I lost all the modifications I made in KiCad 7
You do not have to add them to your project manually. It is likely that one or both these files are present in a KiCad V5 project. If a KiCad V5 project is archived, then these files should be archived too.
After a project has been properly converted to the new KiCad formats (open both the schematic and PCB files with their editors and then save them) you can delete the old files. KiCad does not delete the old files but just ignores them. If you are inexperienced with this, then make a backup before you delete anything.
If you have problems with opening an old V5 project in KiCad V7, then start a new thread about that.
Also, why use KiCad V7? KiCad V8 is getting quite stable now, and V8 also has some nice extra features for simulations.
1 Like
When you have edited a project with v5 you should have saved it and kept a backup copy. Open a copy of the project unmodified (no files deleted). Then you should have all you need for v7. Do everything which is suggested by KiCad 7 when you open the project first time with it.
Here’s an old FAQ article about the rescue process, but it’s for importing a v4 project to v5. I don’t remember the similarities or differences, but it explains the files.
1 Like
There are some differences in how KiCad V4 and V5 handled libraries, but the whole mechanism of the rescue process is still the same or very similar.
1 Like
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.