kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Mark Roszko <mark.roszko@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hehe, look at that, its still a disputed name. Well we got to fix it.
I went with footprint because it seemed like alot of newer features
with with that name, the "module editor" was called the "footprint
editor" originally in the launcher as well which is what caused me to
really want to fix it(you open the "footprint editor" and its title is
"module editor").

>I use footprint myself.  Though footprint seems to imply what a PCB
>must have in order to accommodate a part, eg, pads, silk.  Are the 3d
>models part of this?  If they are, then footprint might not be the
>best term.
>I agree with this. What you want to rename "Footprint" is more or less a container unifying different PCB objects (pads, lines, 3d model...), but may not be a footprint (logos, mounting holes, screws...)

Personally I think "Components" may be an even better word than
"modules" or "footprints" but suggesting that may have been even more
radical and conflicting agaisn't the next point



>2) I think that it is better to have "component" for schema and "module"
>for pcb so there is no confusion when talking about component - module
>association.

I am inclined to agree that separating the names definitely helps with
telling what you are referencing in discussion. It's perhaps one of
the better points in having separate names at least.


>I agree it's more common footprint. By the way the 'official' IPC term is 'land pattern'. But, as usual, who cares :D

I thought IPC "land pattern" was really for the surface mount
components, it doesn't apply to through hole components.

I myself never heard of "modules" being used for package footprints.
I've heard footprints, components, and packages and thats it. Most CAD
software seems to use "components" as the word for both schematic and
PCB objects. Or at least Altium and PADs use that word.

When I hear of PCB modules, I think all those premade chips and
miniature PCBs that you mount to your own PCB....because they are all
called modules.