[SOLVED] Kicad Themes change on V6

vidalv · July 6, 2021, 5:58am

Hello all, this topic has already been discussed in another way, but I would like to clarify for use with the settings in Windows.
For version 5.99, there exists repository with a zip file containing all the files to change the colours of KiCAD, both for the schematic editor as for the PCB editor.
Once De-zipped here is the content:

The new version 5.99 can use python script to update your settings, but I’m not able to understand how to use it ! Then I try to copy from one directory “ALL” files to the default Kicad path directory, in my case is : C:\Users\Utilisateur\AppData\Roaming\kicad\5.99\colors the result is this error window hanging Kicad :
Error

Then, I try to copy only files :

And on the Eeschema no more choice available :

How to (correctly) install the package to be able to select "automatically’ a colors schemes under Kicad 5.99 ?

I use Kicad :
Application: KiCad (64-bit)
Version: (5.99.0-11313-ga92d337905), release build
Libraries:
wxWidgets 3.1.5
libcurl/7.74.0-DEV Schannel zlib/1.2.11
Platform: Windows 10 (build 19042), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
Build Info:
Date: Jul 5 2021 09:00:10
wxWidgets: 3.1.5 (wchar_t,STL containers)
Boost: 1.75.0
OCC: 7.5.0
Curl: 7.74.0-DEV
ngspice: 34
Compiler: Visual C++ 1928 without C++ ABI
Build settings:
KICAD_USE_OCC=ON
KICAD_SPICE=ON

Thanks for support !

Rene_Poschl · July 6, 2021, 7:29am

The script is for v5. I assume current nightly KiCad has an option to directly import Json files (from memory of a feature announcement). If your themes are the ones from the repo of @pointhi then there should be Json files supplied.

der.ule · July 6, 2021, 8:34am

From the repository:

JSON themes (for KiCad 6, and “5.99” nightly builds after February 2020)

KiCad 6 is changing to a JSON-based colour theme system. Recent nightly builds already support the new system, where each colour theme lives in a JSON file in the colors directory of the user settings path (see “How to use a colour theme” above.)

To use the JSON version of a theme, just copy the file into your colors directory. The next time you run KiCad, it will detect the new theme file and you will be able to choose it in the preferences. Each KiCad application can use a different color theme if you wish.

In the new system, the footprint editor and PcbNew use the same color theme. If you would like to have different colours for those two applications, the way to do it is to choose a different theme file in the PcbNew and footprint editor preferences dialogs.

vidalv · July 6, 2021, 2:13pm

Ok, I try to follow : “use the JSON version of a theme, just copy the file into your colors directory.” doing that cause a failure message !
By default, after new installation of Kicad, colors directory is empty. In my case, C:\Users\Utilisateur\AppData\Roaming\kicad\5.99\colors putting any .json file into it crash Kicad.

der.ule · July 6, 2021, 2:45pm

JSON files have the extension “.json” the ones you show in your screenshot have no extension as such I assume they are not compatible with v5.99.

and if you open them in a text editor they look like this:

{
  "board": {
    "anchor": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "aux_items": "rgb(255, 255, 255)",
    "b_adhes": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "b_crtyd": "rgb(149, 219, 223)",
    "b_fab": "rgb(141, 210, 114)",
    "b_mask": "rgba(54, 132, 109, 0.698)",
    "b_paste": "rgb(0, 194, 194)",
    "b_silks": "rgb(121, 101, 150)",
    "background": "rgb(35, 41, 50)",
    "cmts_user": "rgb(65, 160, 66)",
    "copper": {
      "b": "rgba(101, 162, 229, 0.800)",
      "f": "rgba(194, 96, 101, 0.800)",
      "in1": "rgba(194, 107, 170, 0.600)",
      "in10": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in11": "rgb(132, 0, 0)",
      "in12": "rgb(132, 132, 0)",
      "in13": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
      "in14": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in15": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
      "in16": "rgb(132, 0, 0)",
      "in17": "rgb(194, 194, 0)",
      "in18": "rgb(194, 0, 194)",
      "in19": "rgb(194, 0, 0)",
      "in2": "rgba(127, 194, 161, 0.600)",
      "in20": "rgb(0, 132, 132)",
      "in21": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
      "in22": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in23": "rgb(132, 132, 132)",
      "in24": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in25": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
      "in26": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in27": "rgb(132, 0, 0)",
      "in28": "rgb(132, 132, 0)",
      "in29": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
      "in3": "rgb(194, 0, 0)",
      "in30": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in4": "rgb(0, 132, 132)",
      "in5": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
      "in6": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in7": "rgb(132, 132, 132)",
      "in8": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in9": "rgb(194, 194, 194)"
    },
    "cursor": "rgb(255, 255, 255)",
    "dwgs_user": "rgb(165, 165, 165)",
    "eco1_user": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
    "eco2_user": "rgb(255, 87, 98)",
    "edge_cuts": "rgb(200, 163, 57)",
    "f_adhes": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
    "f_crtyd": "rgb(201, 169, 249)",
    "f_fab": "rgb(240, 216, 121)",
    "f_mask": "rgba(180, 74, 76, 0.698)",
    "f_paste": "rgb(255, 0, 255)",
    "f_silks": "rgb(129, 190, 190)",
    "footprint_text_back": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "footprint_text_front": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
    "footprint_text_invisible": "rgb(132, 132, 132)",
    "grid": "rgb(97, 97, 97)",
    "no_connect": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "pad_back": "rgba(82, 127, 185, 0.698)",
    "pad_front": "rgba(194, 118, 97, 0.698)",
    "plated_hole": "rgb(194, 194, 0)",
    "ratsnest": "rgb(179, 179, 179)",
    "via_blind_buried": "rgb(132, 132, 0)",
    "via_micro": "rgb(0, 132, 132)",
    "via_through": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
    "worksheet": "rgb(72, 0, 0)"
  },
  "fpedit": {
    "anchor": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "aux_items": "rgb(255, 255, 255)",
    "b_adhes": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "b_crtyd": "rgb(149, 219, 223)",
    "b_fab": "rgb(141, 210, 114)",
    "b_mask": "rgba(0, 245, 223, 0.600)",
    "b_paste": "rgb(0, 194, 194)",
    "b_silks": "rgb(121, 101, 150)",
    "background": "rgb(0, 0, 0)",
    "cmts_user": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "copper": {
      "b": "rgba(82, 127, 185, 0.800)",
      "f": "rgba(236, 144, 118, 0.800)",
      "in1": "rgb(194, 194, 0)",
      "in10": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in11": "rgb(132, 0, 0)",
      "in12": "rgb(132, 132, 0)",
      "in13": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
      "in14": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in15": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
      "in16": "rgb(132, 0, 0)",
      "in17": "rgb(194, 194, 0)",
      "in18": "rgb(194, 0, 194)",
      "in19": "rgb(194, 0, 0)",
      "in2": "rgb(194, 0, 194)",
      "in20": "rgb(0, 132, 132)",
      "in21": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
      "in22": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in23": "rgb(132, 132, 132)",
      "in24": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in25": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
      "in26": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in27": "rgb(132, 0, 0)",
      "in28": "rgb(132, 132, 0)",
      "in29": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
      "in3": "rgb(194, 0, 0)",
      "in30": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in4": "rgb(0, 132, 132)",
      "in5": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
      "in6": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
      "in7": "rgb(132, 132, 132)",
      "in8": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
      "in9": "rgb(194, 194, 194)"
    },
    "cursor": "rgb(255, 255, 255)",
    "dwgs_user": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
    "eco1_user": "rgb(0, 132, 0)",
    "eco2_user": "rgb(194, 194, 0)",
    "edge_cuts": "rgb(194, 194, 0)",
    "f_adhes": "rgb(132, 0, 132)",
    "f_crtyd": "rgb(201, 164, 249)",
    "f_fab": "rgb(240, 216, 121)",
    "f_mask": "rgba(180, 74, 76, 0.600)",
    "f_paste": "rgba(211, 67, 187, 0.600)",
    "f_silks": "rgb(102, 150, 150)",
    "footprint_text_back": "rgb(0, 0, 132)",
    "footprint_text_front": "rgb(194, 194, 194)",
    "footprint_text_invisible": "rgb(132, 132, 132)",
    "grid": "rgba(88, 98, 113, 0.718)",
    "pad_back": "rgba(82, 127, 185, 0.698)",
    "pad_front": "rgba(194, 118, 97, 0.698)",
    "pad_through_hole": "rgba(200, 200, 121, 0.698)",
    "plated_hole": "rgb(194, 194, 0)",
    "worksheet": "rgb(72, 0, 0)"
  },
  "meta": {
    "filename": "behave-dark",
    "name": "Behave Dark",
    "version": 0
  },
  "schematic": {
    "background": "rgb(35, 41, 50)",
    "brightened": "rgb(201, 169, 249)",
    "bus": "rgb(68, 135, 170)",
    "component_body": "rgb(81, 60, 86)",
    "component_outline": "rgb(196, 98, 107)",
    "erc_error": "rgb(200, 68, 85)",
    "erc_warning": "rgb(226, 163, 52)",
    "fields": "rgb(120, 101, 150)",
    "grid": "rgb(132, 132, 132)",
    "junction": "rgb(141, 210, 114)",
    "label_global": "rgb(196, 108, 45)",
    "label_hier": "rgb(195, 174, 114)",
    "label_local": "rgb(68, 135, 170)",
    "net_name": "rgb(202, 202, 202)",
    "no_connect": "rgb(149, 219, 223)",
    "note": "rgb(68, 135, 170)",
    "pin": "rgb(196, 98, 107)",
    "pin_name": "rgb(102, 150, 150)",
    "pin_number": "rgb(196, 98, 107)",
    "reference": "rgb(166, 131, 225)",
    "sheet": "rgb(133, 111, 165)",
    "sheet_filename": "rgb(133, 111, 165)",
    "sheet_label": "rgb(196, 122, 79)",
    "sheet_name": "rgb(102, 150, 150)",
    "value": "rgb(102, 150, 150)",
    "wire": "rgb(141, 210, 114)"
  }
}

vidalv · July 6, 2021, 2:52pm

Thanks @der.ule, on the github I use : https://github.com/pointhi/kicad-color-schemes after unzip on eagle directory as an example, Is this list :

First file is eagle.json, if I copy this file under the kicad path “colors” directory Kicad does not work.
The file content is :

Blockquote {
“board”: {
“anchor”: “rgb(174, 129, 255)”,
“aux_items”: “rgb(255, 255, 255)”,
“b_adhes”: “rgba(64, 64, 192, 0.600)”,
“b_crtyd”: “rgb(248, 248, 242)”,
“b_fab”: “rgb(170, 170, 192)”,
“b_mask”: “rgba(170, 170, 224, 0.700)”,
“b_paste”: “rgba(128, 128, 192, 0.750)”,
“b_silks”: “rgba(170, 170, 224, 0.800)”,
“background”: “rgb(33, 33, 33)”,
“cmts_user”: “rgb(160, 160, 0)”,
“copper”: {
“b”: “rgba(50, 50, 200, 0.700)”,
“f”: “rgba(192, 0, 0, 0.700)”,
“in1”: “rgba(255, 255, 0, 0.700)”,
“in10”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in11”: “rgb(132, 0, 0)”,
“in12”: “rgb(132, 132, 0)”,
“in13”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“in14”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“in15”: “rgb(0, 132, 0)”,
“in16”: “rgb(132, 0, 0)”,
“in17”: “rgb(194, 194, 0)”,
“in18”: “rgb(194, 0, 194)”,
“in19”: “rgb(194, 0, 0)”,
“in2”: “rgba(200, 200, 50, 0.700)”,
“in20”: “rgb(0, 132, 132)”,
“in21”: “rgb(0, 132, 0)”,
“in22”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“in23”: “rgb(132, 132, 132)”,
“in24”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in25”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“in26”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in27”: “rgb(132, 0, 0)”,
“in28”: “rgb(132, 132, 0)”,
“in29”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“in3”: “rgba(50, 200, 200, 0.700)”,
“in30”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“in4”: “rgba(0, 255, 255, 0.700)”,
“in5”: “rgba(255, 50, 255, 0.700)”,
“in6”: “rgba(200, 50, 200, 0.700)”,
“in7”: “rgb(132, 132, 132)”,
“in8”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in9”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”
},
“cursor”: “rgb(255, 255, 255)”,
“dwgs_user”: “rgb(192, 192, 192)”,
“eco1_user”: “rgb(0, 132, 0)”,
“eco2_user”: “rgb(194, 194, 0)”,
“edge_cuts”: “rgba(160, 160, 160, 0.800)”,
“f_adhes”: “rgba(192, 64, 64, 0.600)”,
“f_crtyd”: “rgb(248, 248, 242)”,
“f_fab”: “rgb(224, 170, 170)”,
“f_mask”: “rgba(224, 170, 170, 0.700)”,
“f_paste”: “rgba(192, 128, 128, 0.750)”,
“f_silks”: “rgba(224, 170, 170, 0.800)”,
“footprint_text_back”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“footprint_text_front”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“footprint_text_invisible”: “rgb(132, 132, 132)”,
“grid”: “rgb(60, 60, 60)”,
“no_connect”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“pad_back”: “rgba(50, 50, 200, 0.700)”,
“pad_front”: “rgba(192, 0, 0, 0.700)”,
“pad_through_hole”: “rgba(50, 200, 50, 0.700)”,
“plated_hole”: “rgb(194, 194, 0)”,
“ratsnest”: “rgb(255, 255, 255)”,
“via_blind_buried”: “rgb(132, 132, 0)”,
“via_micro”: “rgb(0, 132, 132)”,
“via_through”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“worksheet”: “rgb(192, 0, 0)”
},
“fpedit”: {
“anchor”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“aux_items”: “rgb(255, 255, 255)”,
“b_adhes”: “rgba(64, 64, 192, 0.600)”,
“b_crtyd”: “rgb(132, 132, 132)”,
“b_fab”: “rgb(170, 170, 224)”,
“b_mask”: “rgba(170, 170, 224, 0.700)”,
“b_paste”: “rgba(128, 128, 192, 0.750)”,
“b_silks”: “rgba(170, 170, 224, 0.800)”,
“background”: “rgb(33, 33, 33)”,
“cmts_user”: “rgb(160, 160, 0)”,
“copper”: {
“b”: “rgba(50, 50, 200, 0.700)”,
“f”: “rgba(192, 0, 0, 0.700)”,
“in1”: “rgb(194, 194, 0)”,
“in10”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in11”: “rgb(132, 0, 0)”,
“in12”: “rgb(132, 132, 0)”,
“in13”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“in14”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“in15”: “rgb(0, 132, 0)”,
“in16”: “rgb(132, 0, 0)”,
“in17”: “rgb(194, 194, 0)”,
“in18”: “rgb(194, 0, 194)”,
“in19”: “rgb(194, 0, 0)”,
“in2”: “rgb(194, 0, 194)”,
“in20”: “rgb(0, 132, 132)”,
“in21”: “rgb(0, 132, 0)”,
“in22”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“in23”: “rgb(132, 132, 132)”,
“in24”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in25”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“in26”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in27”: “rgb(132, 0, 0)”,
“in28”: “rgb(132, 132, 0)”,
“in29”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“in3”: “rgb(194, 0, 0)”,
“in30”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“in4”: “rgb(0, 132, 132)”,
“in5”: “rgb(0, 132, 0)”,
“in6”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“in7”: “rgb(132, 132, 132)”,
“in8”: “rgb(132, 0, 132)”,
“in9”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”
},
“cursor”: “rgb(255, 255, 255)”,
“dwgs_user”: “rgb(192, 192, 192)”,
“eco1_user”: “rgb(0, 132, 0)”,
“eco2_user”: “rgb(194, 194, 0)”,
“edge_cuts”: “rgba(160, 160, 160, 0.800)”,
“f_adhes”: “rgba(192, 64, 64, 0.600)”,
“f_crtyd”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“f_fab”: “rgb(224, 170, 170)”,
“f_mask”: “rgba(224, 170, 170, 0.700)”,
“f_paste”: “rgba(192, 128, 128, 0.750)”,
“f_silks”: “rgba(224, 170, 170, 0.800)”,
“footprint_text_back”: “rgb(0, 0, 132)”,
“footprint_text_front”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“footprint_text_invisible”: “rgb(132, 132, 132)”,
“grid”: “rgb(60, 60, 60)”,
“pad_back”: “rgba(50, 50, 200, 0.700)”,
“pad_front”: “rgba(224, 0, 0, 0.700)”,
“pad_through_hole”: “rgba(50, 200, 50, 0.700)”,
“plated_hole”: “rgb(194, 194, 0)”,
“worksheet”: “rgb(72, 0, 0)”
},
“meta”: {
“filename”: “eagle”,
“name”: “eagle”,
“version”: 0
},
“schematic”: {
“background”: “rgb(33, 33, 33)”,
“brightened”: “rgb(204, 204, 204)”,
“bus”: “rgb(0, 96, 192)”,
“component_body”: “rgb(44, 44, 44)”,
“component_outline”: “rgb(192, 0, 0)”,
“cursor”: “rgb(224, 224, 224)”,
“erc_error”: “rgba(192, 48, 48, 0.800)”,
“erc_warning”: “rgba(192, 140, 0, 0.800)”,
“fields”: “rgb(128, 0, 160)”,
“grid”: “rgb(60, 60, 60)”,
“hidden”: “rgb(194, 194, 194)”,
“junction”: “rgb(0, 160, 0)”,
“label_global”: “rgb(0, 160, 224)”,
“label_hier”: “rgb(160, 160, 0)”,
“label_local”: “rgb(192, 192, 192)”,
“net_name”: “rgb(224, 224, 224)”,
“no_connect”: “rgb(97, 43, 224)”,
“note”: “rgb(192, 192, 0)”,
“pin”: “rgb(192, 0, 0)”,
“pin_name”: “rgb(192, 192, 192)”,
“pin_number”: “rgb(192, 0, 0)”,
“reference”: “rgb(192, 192, 192)”,
“sheet”: “rgb(128, 0, 160)”,
“sheet_filename”: “rgb(160, 160, 0)”,
“sheet_label”: “rgb(160, 160, 0)”,
“sheet_name”: “rgb(0, 160, 204)”,
“value”: “rgb(192, 192, 192)”,
“wire”: “rgb(0, 160, 0)”,
“worksheet”: “rgb(192, 0, 0)”
}
}

der.ule · July 6, 2021, 3:09pm

I just tried in my nightly version and it worked:

I did have a problem and it was that I was trying to save the themes under %APPDATA%\kicad\5.99\colors\ but clicking on the button “Open Them Folder” show me that they should be saved in %APPDATA%\KiCad_v99\5.99\colors, after restarting KiCAD they were recognized correctly

Application: KiCad
Version: (5.99.0-1980-gf31139ac4), release build
Libraries:
	wxWidgets 3.0.4
	libcurl/7.66.0 OpenSSL/1.1.1d (Schannel) zlib/1.2.11 brotli/1.0.7 libidn2/2.2.0 libpsl/0.21.0 (+libidn2/2.1.1) nghttp2/1.39.2
Platform: Windows 8 (build 9200), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
Build Info:
	Build date: Jun 17 2020 21:06:29
	wxWidgets: 3.0.4 (wchar_t,wx containers,compatible with 2.8)
	Boost: 1.71.0
	OCE: 6.9.1
	Curl: 7.66.0
	Compiler: GCC 9.2.0 with C++ ABI 1013

Build settings:
	KICAD_SCRIPTING=ON
	KICAD_SCRIPTING_MODULES=ON
	KICAD_SCRIPTING_PYTHON3=OFF
	KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON=ON
	KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON_PHOENIX=OFF
	KICAD_SCRIPTING_ACTION_MENU=ON
	BUILD_GITHUB_PLUGIN=ON
	KICAD_USE_OCE=ON
	KICAD_SPICE=ON

craftyjon · July 6, 2021, 3:26pm

Please try again with a newer nightly, the one you have contains a bug which is probably causing this issue.

vidalv · July 6, 2021, 3:30pm

Thanks @der.ule, here my contents :

If I click on “Open Theme Folder” that open %APPDATA%\kicad\5.99\colors\ with nothing inside.
Is there a document describing how to use this tools (step by step) ?

vidalv · July 6, 2021, 3:33pm

Hello @craftyjon the nightly I use is from yesterday !
Ok, I will deinstall all, try with current nightly …

vidalv · July 6, 2021, 3:57pm

Ok, that’s the risk using nightly version, unfortunately for me colours themes change are not working with the release I install !
So, to resume, I install this release now :

Blockquote
Application: KiCad (64-bit)
Version: (5.99.0-11336-g5116fa6d12), release build
Libraries:
wxWidgets 3.1.5
libcurl/7.74.0-DEV Schannel zlib/1.2.11
Platform: Windows 10 (build 19042), 64-bit edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW
Build Info:
Date: Jul 6 2021 09:00:18
wxWidgets: 3.1.5 (wchar_t,STL containers)
Boost: 1.75.0
OCC: 7.5.0
Curl: 7.74.0-DEV
ngspice: 34
Compiler: Visual C++ 1928 without C++ ABI
Build settings:
KICAD_USE_OCC=ON
KICAD_SPICE=ON

Then, I copy one by one from each directory from Github zip file the .json into %APPDATA%\kicad\5.99\colors\ directory :

Now, loading a project, under the menu “Preferences” I get all listed :

Thanks for support !

system · October 4, 2021, 3:57pm

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