I have problems with routing my wires.
The wires are for some reason not connected with the component pads.
The wire is also not fully collored in red. Can this be the reason that it is not connected.
Can somebody help me with this?
Kind Regards,
Domien,
The
First, get your terminology right. The schematic has wires, the PCB has tracks (often called “traces” in other PCB design programs, I don’t know why KiCad settled on “tracks”, although I find the name more logical myself) Using the right terminology reduces misunderstandings and reduces post count for attempting to get more clarification.
You have turned PCB Editor / View / Drawing Mode / Sketch Tracks on. If you turn this mode off again, the tracks will be filled again. It’s just a visual thing, nothing more.
Why do you think so? I see a ratsnest line in the lower left corner:
And this indicates that the two track segments you drew are connected to pad 8 of that other footprint. If you draw another track segment onto that pad 6, then that ratsnest line will disappear, but others for still unconnected pads will still remain. I suggest you draw some more tracks before you make any conclusions about this.
In KiCad they’re called tracks.
You have Scetch Mode on. Press ‘K’ to switch it off, that will fix the appearance of your tracks.
Hello Paul,
Track colour is now filled thanks.
When you move a part after it was routed the tracks do not move with the component?
Kind Regards,
Indeed. When you move a Footprint (please spend some time on terminology) it just moves the footprint. You can drag a footprint (with the d hotkey) and then KiCad attempts to keep tracks connected, but often it can not drag all the tracks without creating DRC violations. In such a case you can finish the drag witn [Ctrl + Click] to accept the final position with the DRC violations, and then clean up the DRC violations.
part = something having:
You probably ask for footprint moving.
Yes when footprint is moved tracks are left unchanged.
Depending on KiCad version you use (you didn’t told that) you can also drag footprint.
I’m working with Kicad 9.0
hotkey D works fine thanks !
Paul,
Can I ask you 1 question about the text on the PCB?
On a foot print there are 3 labels. The reference, the value and the third one (2x R1)
What is the logical place to place them on the board with reference to the component?µ
Kind Regards,
Domien,
It depends on the layer and your specific needs.
The silkscreen layer will be printed on the physical board. The reference designators, if you want them to be visible on the surface of your board, should be placed so that they are easy to read and look good for the one who holds the board on their hand and looks at it. Use the KiCad 3D view to see how the silkscreen will look like after manufacturing.
The fab layer isn’t fabricated, you can use it as you wish, but you may want to use it as an assembly help or for some similar purpose, so position the text for you needs. It can also be used to communicate information about the board to other people.
Since 2017 (KiCad V4) I am using only my own footprints and they have only one R1.
About layers I use I will not tell as based on what I have read recently at forum I see that what worked for me from V4 to V8 will no longer work in V9 and I will have to change something.
if the fab layer isn’t manufactured how do I place then text on the connector pins ?
One has nothing to the other in any case.
If writing pins you were thinking pins then: Fab layer exists at PCB while pins exists at schematic.
If writing pins you were thinking pads then: Second reference at fab layer even if some way would be placed at PCB is the reference of the whole connector and not of its individual pads.
If you want to place your text at PCB you just place it at one of layers will be manufactured.
Are you aware of how (approximately) a board is manufactured and which layers of the EDA design are visible there?
