kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Jon Evans <jon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Martin,

This is a concept I've been working on in the background (managing
libraries through a database, including footprint assignments but also
fields/properties)

The way I was thinking about approaching it is not just a filter in CvPcb,
but actually a new type of library (including a new part chooser).
It would pull the underlying symbols and footprints from existing
libraries, but would connect to a database (local or on a remote server)
that has all of the information about which parts use what symbol and
footprint, and what other properties to bring in (manufacturer part number,
etc)

There is a draft spec:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qXwFPbYOwFXRNvjRN5BttRX_4esEDdYDt1cOpOmNc8A/edit?usp=sharing

I have not put a lot of time into this yet because V6 feature freeze is
right around the corner, and this would be for a later release.

Best,
Jon

On Thu, Aug 27, 2020 at 2:17 PM Martin Marmsoler <martin.marmsoler@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I wrote already in the Forum, but did not get an answer. Hopefully I'm
> getting here more attention :)
>
> I’m thinking about how the footprint assignment can be more
> “intelligent”/faster. I’m not talking about simple parts like resistors/
> capacitors without extra requirements, but diodes, inductors, connectors,
> integrated circuits.
>
> For example diode:
> The most of the time the same symbol for a diode is used, but the
> footprint changes. But before selecting a footprint you search for a diode
> which fits your needs (at the distributor, manufacturer, …). After you
> selected the exact part, only a few footprints are still available (for
> diodes in the most time only one).
>
> For inductors it is the same, but many times the footprints are generic,
> but the 3D model matches not always. For example they have a different
> heigth. (I think this is currently not doable, because there is no 3D model
> assigner)
>
> So it would be nice if in cvpcb exist a filter which filters only these
> matching footprints.
>
> Where to store the information which partnumber matches with which
> footprint?
> Maybe this information can be stored in a database
> found this: Part-DB <https://github.com/Part-DB/Part-DB-symfony> Looks
> pretty good to do the job.
> So CVPCB access this database and assigns automatically the footprint (and
> the 3d model which matches)
>
> The database contains many parts which have footprints (or only the path
> (preffered)) as attribute
>
> So at the end the workflow looks like:
>
>    1. Create schematic with generic parts
>    2. Add Manufacturer number to parts
>    3. Let CVPCB Assign automatically footprints
>
>
> What has to be done:
> # create database with KiCad footprints inside (script)
> # Add parts to the database
> # Add new filter button to CVPCB
>     - implement db access
>     - search in symbol if a manufacturer number field exist and use this
> value
>      - access the database and search for the part
>      - assign footprint to symbol (if in the database only the path is
> stored, what to do if the footprint does not exist)
> # Add settings where the url to the database is stored.
>
> What do you think about something like that?
>
> This is the forum post:
>
> https://forum.kicad.info/t/automatic-assignment-of-footprint-and-3d-model/24497
>
> Is there a timeplan for v6/ feature freeze date?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Martin
>
>
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