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Library Expert Pro (2019.01) KiCad 5

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Questions & Answers
Forum Description: issues and technical support
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2435
Printed Date: 22 Nov 2024 at 7:00pm


Topic: Library Expert Pro (2019.01) KiCad 5
Posted By: LarryJoy
Subject: Library Expert Pro (2019.01) KiCad 5
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 12:24pm
I got the following message when I did a DRC:
"Footprint has incorrect courtyard (not a closed shape)" and
"footprint "refdes" has malformed courtyard" for the following footprints:
CAPPRD800W80D165H02650
CAPPRD635W50D600H1150
SIP660W80P385L1800H1440Q4
SIP760W70P508L1016H1020Q2
MTGNPH304Z406
RESAD1160W55L680D260
This seems to be a systemic problem.
--Regards, Larry


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 12:30pm
We're looking into this. 

Thank you for reporting this issue.



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Posted By: chrisa_pcb
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 1:51pm
I took the CAPAE Demo part and put it out. The courtyard is definitely made out of lines, but that loads into v5.0.0-rc2-58-gfc71fc647 without issue.

Does the courtyard need to be a polygon for DRC checking? Is that what you would use to manually fix it?

Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2019 at 2:37pm
KiCad is at v5.0.2 and that is what I use on my Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS OS. I think lines are okay but they all have to be connected properly to form a closed polygon, similar to the requirement for the edge cuts. This is a question you would have to ask on the KiCad forum at < https://forum.kicad.info>" rel="nofollow - https://forum.kicad.info> ;. I don't know what I would do to fix it other than making sure it is a closed surface (polygon).
--Larry

Posted By: tgrodnicki
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2019 at 11:50pm
I think the following may be relevant:
https://forum.kicad.info/t/footprint-has-incorrect-courtyard/13611" rel="nofollow - https://forum.kicad.info/t/footprint-has-incorrect-courtyard/13611
Footprints in libraries supplied in Kicad do not have center mark.

Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 6:44am
tgrodnicki,
Okay, the reference to the KiCad forum posting was my previous posting in which I was informed that the center mark does not go on the courtyard layer. I informed PCB Libraries about this and as indicated in the KiCad forum PCB Libraries was going to correct this in LE Pro (2019). Accordingly, and as you have stated, footprints for KiCad do not have center mark (at least on the courtyard layer). There must be some other problem. I will have to look at the footprints to figure out what the specific problem is. I may have to get on the KiCad forum again to get an answer. I will let you know.
--Larry

Posted By: chrisa_pcb
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 8:56am
If the origin marker is the issue, simply filter the origin marker via preferences.


Go Drafting -> Courtyard and turn off 'Include Origin Crosshair' and 'Include Origin Target'.

Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 9:04am
tgrodnicki,
It is the same problem as previous, the center mark is on the courtyard layer, which for KiCad it cannot be. PCB Libraries indicated that this was going to be fixed when LE Pro (2019) was released. Apparently it has not been taken care of. Will PCB Libraries be revising the LE Pro (2019) program to address this situation?
--Larry

Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 9:23am
I can not turn off the "Include Courtyard" and "Include Origin Crosshair" functions as they are grayed out and I am unable to uncheck them?
--Larry

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 10:08am
If you are using the Free Library Expert Pro, you can easily remove the Center Origin Marking in the
Calculator Panel > Drafting tab > Courtyard tab > uncheck  Include Origin Crosshair & Include Origin Target. 

All the Global Preferences and in the Calculator Panel and they are "Local Preferences". 



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Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 12:00pm
I looked under Tools tab and found PADS to CAD, Convert Units, Pad Stack Calculator, Hole Size Calculator, and Axial Leadform Calculator. I looked under the Preferences tab and found Console, Rules, Drafting, Fiducials, 3D colors, and Terminals. I did not find anything that was "Calculator Panel". Where do I go to get to the "Calculator Panel"?
--Larry

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2019 at 12:06pm
The Calculator Panel is where you insert all the Package Dimensions. 

There are Tabs for these items - 
  • Component
  • Terminal
  • Rules
  • Drafting
  • Footprint
  • Dimensions
  • Settings
  • 3D Colors
Select the Drafting tab and your will see tabs for - 
  • Legend
  • Assembly
  • Courtyard
  • Component



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Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2019 at 8:10am
Okay Tom,
That worked--that is the "Calculator Panel" being where you insert all the Package Dimensions. As you say this is a local configuration thing and must be done for each and every part. Is LE Pro program going to be revised so that the center mark, the crossed lines and circle, are not entered on the courtyard layer for KiCad? I don't know where the center mark should go, probably the fabrication layer. Whoever does the program should probably look at the KLC (KiCad Library Convention) document.
--Larry

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2019 at 8:40am
Next week we'll have the new Full Featured Library Expert Enterprise for free download, but you must select a single CAD tool, which you already do.

All you have to pay is $149 yearly maintenance as a Cloud Lease License. 

Then you have access to every feature in the program. 
  • Access to Global Preferences
  • Create multiple Preference files
  • Permanently set your Pad Shape, Drafting Options, Footprint Rotation, Solder Joint Goals, Pad Stack Rules, etc. 
  • Auto-generate Pin 1 Polarity Marking for Silkscreen and Assembly
  • Able to Batch Build hundreds of parts at once
  • Save all your package dimensions to your personal FPX library
  • Move parts from the Calculator to FP Designer for full customization 
  • No more Banner Ads
We will let you know when the Cloud Lease License is available for download soon. 



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Posted By: tgrodnicki
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2019 at 10:01am
KiCad Library Convention has no rules for footprint center mark.
So it would be best to let user to choose appropriate layer or turn the center mark off.
If the center mark would be on Fabrication Layer, it would collide with reference designator, which should be (according to F5.2 - Fabrication layer requirements) in center.

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2019 at 10:12am
Since the Placement Courtyard and the Centroid Marker are not part of Gerber data and they are not output to Fabrication or Assembly, they are on the same layer to preserve layers. 

In V2019, we do not separate the 2 elements. But In V2020 (coming in June) we will be able to be more flexible. 



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Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2019 at 9:52am
Tom,
I am a little confused as you say "the new Full Featured Library Expert Enterprise" will be a "free" download but then go on to say "All you have to pay is $149 yearly maintenance as a Cloud Lease License". I am a step above being a hobbyist or DIYer and would not be able to afford it.

Mouser Electronics has in the last few months implemented using SamacSys out of the UK to deliver ECAD schematic symbols and footprints. I don't know what their revenue stream is but this is a "free" service. Just to let you know.
--Larry

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2019 at 10:07am
If you can deal with low quality, inconsistent, non-standard static libraries than that solution is good for you. 

Library Expert Enterprise is a premium software program and allows the end user to create their personal custom library in a very consistent, high quality, standard format. 

I'm sure that V2019 Library Expert Pro provides much better results than SymacSys and V2020 will have schematic symbols and many new features. V2020 is a 100% rewrite from scratch and we can't afford to pay programmers and give everything away for free. 

SamacSys is owned by a millionaire who does not need the revenue. 

PCB Libraries, Inc, is not owned by millionaires and we do not borrow any money from JVC or banks. We survive from product sales. 

Library Expert Enterprise is not intended for hobbyists. 



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