I don't see any reason why values on *.Fab shouldn't exceed the size of
the package. Also, printing values on the silkscreen is something that
is only ever done by a small handful of hobbyists. When was the last
time you saw a real PCB with values on the silk? It looks ugly and
serves little purpose. You can print out the *.Fab layers to get a value
listing for assembly if you like.
I disagree *100%* that it's more intuitive to set them visible than to
change layer. What's so hard about changing the layer? You even do it in
the same place!
What I *do* think is that a way to move them *all* to a layer in batch
would be very, very helpful. KiCad really needs more batch tools in
general. And no, not just Python, not everybody who makes a PCB is a
software developer.
On Thu, Sep 03, 2015 at 08:06:55PM +0200, nnn wrote:
Some time ago after short discussion on librarians mailing list it was
decided to change default reference and value fields of footprints and move
values to F.Fab layer.
I think it was bad decision. I'm asking here to get more opinions.
Full names of components can be long and their length is unpredictable so
it's hard to set size of value so that it's not extending footprints outline
and isn't smaller that necessary.
It's better to have footprints outline with refdes within on F.Fab (IPC
calls it "assembly") - it's quite common (this kind of documentation can be
found in service manuals) and it's extremely helpful with hand soldering,
servicing, measurements when silkscreen isn't (it may be incomplete or ugly
when miniaturization requires it)
Also there is need to keep values on silkscreen because sometimes it's good
to have them printed on a board. Before changes user could select "force
plotting of invisible values/references", now it's broken. It's also common
to have selected values on a board and it's more intuitive to set them
visible than to change layer.
Do you agree? Can I move values back to silkscreen? Can I also add %R on
F.Fab and start adding assembly outline to libraries (examples attached)?
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