Using TestPoint_Probe, no footprint?

Schematic
1

Hi,

I am a complete KiCAD newbie and I am working on my first PCB. I want to add a number of test points to my PCB and have found the TestPoint_Probe symbol in the symbol editor which sounds ideal.

However it has no footprint assigned to it. Why is this? With no footprint surely there will be nothing to layout in the PCB editor and so nothing in the fabrication. I presume I am missing something since the DRC does not warn me and this is such a basic and surely common requirement, I am using KiCAD 7.0.8

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Ex

2

However it has no footprint assigned to it. Why is this?

Because the library/symbol designer had no crystal ball available to decide: SMT/THT testpoint? With 0,5mm/1,0mm or 1,5mm diameter? With one or two solderpads? …

For such generic symbols it’s common to leave the footprint field empty, so the user (you) has to assign the wanted footprint himself. A description can be found in the manual, section “Assigning Footprints”: Schematic Editor | 7.0 | English | Documentation | KiCad

Suitable footprints can be found for instance in the library “TestPoint”.

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I can understand that reading full manual may be too difficult for someone but I see no excuse for not reviewing the Getting Started manual where Footprint Assignment is also described:

4

Thanks for the tip, I understand why it was done this way now. It’s just a lot to learn all at once!

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5

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