V6 show filled zones is a mess

I just switched from v5.1 to v6 and to be honest I didn’t RTFM. But with v5.1 with high contrast mode and show filled zones, I could see that one layer of copper and not much else, I like that other than not being able to see silkscreen for top and bottom layer.

But in v6, I get a mashed up mess of color that I can’t use.

Please tell me how to fix this.

I would start by RTFMing :slight_smile: Pcbnew | 6.0 | English | Documentation | KiCad

You can use Dim or Single-layer view modes, or change zone opacity to make them fully opaque. This is described in the manual (I linked to the correct section)

I start by stating you’re not being fair.
You’ve use a much more transparent opacity setting for the zones in KiCad V6.

I do not use the “High contrast” mode (“Dimming inactive Layers” in KiCad V6) myself, I find it annoying that it also limits you to working on a single layer.

The same as in KiCad V5, you can right click anywheere on the layers manager and select from a list of presets for viewable layers. One of the many new things in KiCad V6 is that you can also create new presets, with your own preferences. The settings for this are also on the right side, between the layers manager and the selection filter.

image

And there are many many new things in KiCad V6, so a bit of RTFM, or at least some time of experimenting with the new and improved interface is indeed in it’s place.

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Hello, on the right side there is the Appearance area, which is divided into three parts. Click on the eye to show or hide individual layers. It is the same with objects and networks.
At the bottom right you will find a series of checkboxes that allow you to make a quick selection.
Feel free to play around with the above eye or checkboxes. Do not change your circuit diagram!

Thanks guys! I guess I have some reading to do (thanks for link). I did try the opacity thing earlier but think there is some glitch at least for me, it didn’t seem to change anything. OH…, not sure if its just my system or not, but I have to change layers and go back to see the opacity change. @paulvdh, you are right, I’m not being fair. I didn’t want to switch to v6 right now but I v5.1 crashed and wouldn’t open a schematic that I was just working on. v6 fixed that, I just need time to learn new things.

In the layer area on the right there are “Layer display options” radio buttons that may suit you - especially the Hide one. It can be also cycled thru by a hotkey (H by default if I am not mistaken).

The only thing I do not fully understand is that the H hotkey is cycling through all the three modes (Normal/Dim/Hide) while the left toolbar button does cycle only through Normal and Dim.

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This is because it’s not standard to have a toolbutton toggle between more than 2 states.

Here is an overview of a lot of the changes in KiCad V6:

An article on the 'web with an estimated read time of almost thwo hours.
That is … unusual, but it also indicates there are many, many changes in KiCad V6.

I found the Layer Display Options and selected hide inactive, all better now. :smiley: (thanks Kedarius)
Under display options, “Zoom to fit cross-probed items” was also a problem for me. And the draw rectangle was only drawing squares, found shift+space toggles that. I really need to RTFM.
Thanks everyone.

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