Changes to Fab Level Not Saved To Library

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I created an 8-pin header and changed the hole over lead and min. fab allowance values. I saved the decal in PADS. Then I saved the footprint in a library.  When I loaded it back from the library the values in the fab level I previously changed are restored to the default values. Shouldn't any of these values that are changed be saved in the FPX library?

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lalexman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Expert User Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 679	Post Options Post Reply Quote lalexman Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: Changes to Fab Level Not Saved To Library Posted: 08 Mar 2013 at 6:11am
	I created an 8-pin header and changed the hole over lead and min. fab allowance values. I saved the decal in PADS. Then I saved the footprint in a library. When I loaded it back from the library the values in the fab level I previously changed are restored to the default values. Shouldn't any of these values that are changed be saved in the FPX library?



Tom H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 5716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Mar 2013 at 8:09am
	Custom padstacks are not stored in the FPX file. In order to automate "Batch Create" to globally build a custom library we do not save the padstack data becasue it's auto-generated using your Preferences. Right now the FPX file only saves component dimensions and for SMT the recommended mfr. footprint. Maybe we need to rethink this issue and add custom through-hole padstacks to the FPX file. Maybe we need to relocate this thread in the "Product Suggestions" forum.

lalexman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Expert User Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 679	Post Options Post Reply Quote lalexman Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Mar 2013 at 8:20am
	Thanks Tom. I added this to the product suggestions.

Jeff.M Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 May 2012 Location: San Diego Status: Offline Points: 477	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jeff.M Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Mar 2013 at 9:07am
	Like SMD pad stacks, TH pad stacks are calculated. The calculation is based on the lead size and the user preferences for TH terminals. When you save a part, only the lead size is saved. When the part is regenerated, the pad stack is calculated based on the hole size and the selected user preference for the TH terminal. If you make changes to the fab level settings any part you output to a translator will have those changes but not to a part saved to a library. The same is true of any SM part should you make setting changes on-the-fly (ie. not using the saved preferences).

lalexman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Expert User Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 679	Post Options Post Reply Quote lalexman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Mar 2013 at 2:13pm
	Hi Jeff, As a user I was not aware that this occurred until when back in and generated the same footprint from my library and it was differnent then the one I generated previously. This is a very dangerous situation in that I assumed the footprints would be the same. Is it possible to set a flag if any item that is not saved to the library is changed and if that footprint is saved to the library a warning message is issued ? Thanks! Lenny Alexman