Install kicad mysensor components

[LastSamurai]

Hey,

I am trying to lern kicad and want to start porting one of my existing mysensor projects to it. I found the official github page here and an installation guide here.
I just don't really understand it (the fact that I am currently using windows for my pcb design work doesn't seem to help either).

So I downloaded the edit_parts.pro and cloned the mysensors_symbols github. I added a local user variable in windows pointing to the mysensors_symbols and a path in kicad with MYSGITHUB and https://github.com/mysensors-kicad.

What do I need to do now to add the libraries to all my projects?
Where do I find this "Footprint Libraries Wizard"? I only have a footprinteditor button in the start menu (although I am using the german version so this might not be 100% the same).
Thanks for your help guys!

[tbowmo]

have you followed the instructions shown here https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/part_management ? and edited the fp-lib-table file?

I'm not on windows, and it's been a while since I did the setup on my linux machine.. But if I remember right then @Anticimex is using windows for his kicad, he might have some pointers?

[LastSamurai]

No, I haven't edited the table file yet because I did not get the part before it (can't find the wizard... gandalf where are you? ).
If there is indeed someone here using windows I would love to hear how you installed this Otherwise I have to use a VM I guess.

[bjacobse]

This post is deleted!

[LastSamurai]

Ok I have finally figured it out. You need to open the "PCBNew" pcb designer part of KiCad -> "Einstellungen" (Settings) -> "Footprint Bibliothekswizard" (Library Wizard) -> Github Repo... (insert https://github.com/mysensors-kicad). That makes them available in the PCB editor.
For the Eeschema editor you need to go to "Einstellungen" (Settings) -> "Baubiliotheksdateien" (Partslibrary) and add a custom path to your cloned git repo. Then you can "Hinzufügen" (add) them in the list above and use them in your project.
Perhaps this helps someone in the future. Not the most intuitive part of the program yet^^

[LastSamurai]

PS Another question concerning kicad: on my pcb's I am using small buck converters. Can I find these somewhere as kicad components, or do I have to create them (I mean I can't find them, are there other online repos or something?)?

[Anticimex]

@LastSamurai If you feel there are parts in the instructions on github that need clarifications feel free to submit a PR or suggest improvements, so the instructions become up2date

[Anticimex]

Generally, KiCad standard libraries do not handle modules, they handle parts (components). So it is highly unlikely you will find a suitable component/footprint for that module there.
Feel free to create and add a module for it in our own KiCad repositories. Please have a look at other modules and mimic their design principles and layers so that the "look and feel" of components and parts are uniform (both visually and from a functionality point of view). That is, for example, the footprint should have solder mask layer and courtyard and such things. Normally, KiCad helps you out by automatically including these but just double check to be sure.

• All symbols are in the git mysensors_symbols.
• Footprints have different repos based on their classification. I would say that module actually motivates a new repo for misc modules. So far, the only modules we have in the repos are Arduinos and radios which have their own repos. Let me know if you want to add it and I can create a repo for you. Or you can use the "obscurities" repo where we put things that don't really fit a single "label". Good tagging of the footprint/symbol makes it easy to find either way.
• All 3d shapes of custom modules we use are in mysensors.3dshapes. It would be really great if you also made a 3d representation of your module, placed it there and referenced it from the footprint. For modules I have made a few as a PCB and then exported it as a 3D object which can be used as representation for it when placed on another board. You can have a look at the Arduino Pro Mini footprint for an example.

[LastSamurai]

Thank you, I created a new components for my needs.
Currently I have a new problem though: I am using the AMS1117 from the mysensors repo in my schematics and I am now trying to use that components in my pcb design. The problem is the big tab. I used the TO_SOT SOT-223 package from the standard mysensor library and now I have that big tab (pin 4 here) unconnected. Afaik it should be connected to Vout.
How did you guys handle that?

[tbowmo]

Just leave it unconnected.

[LastSamurai]

@tbowmo
Does that work as wanted then? I always thought they have to be connected (if nothing else than to avoid heat problems).

[tbowmo]

@LastSamurai

You have Vout connected already, if you feel for it, you can create a larger copper area for the 4th pin, as a heatsink. But it doesn't need to be connected to Vout..

[tbowmo]

Go check the datasheet for the component, if you are in doubt

[mfalkvidd]

@LastSamurai said:

Ok I have finally figured it out. You need to open the "PCBNew" pcb designer part of KiCad -> "Einstellungen" (Settings) -> "Footprint Bibliothekswizard" (Library Wizard) -> Github Repo... (insert https://github.com/mysensors-kicad). That makes them available in the PCB editor.

Could anyone explain how I do the first step (open the "PCBNew" pcb designer part of KiCad)?

I have started Kicad but can't see "Library Wizard" under the "Preferences" menu so I think I'm lost.

[Anduril]

@mfalkvidd you have to open pcbnew pcb designer first. That's the third icon in the row on the right side of your screenshot.

[mfalkvidd]

thanks @Anduril !

I got it working now.

If anyone gets the following error:

Errors were encountered loading footprints
IO_ERROR: footprint library path 'R:\eclipse-workspace\mysensors-kicad/mysensors_connectors.pretty' does not exist
from C:/Jenkins/workspace/windows-kicad-msys2-stable/src/kicad-4.0.2/pcbnew/kicad_plugin.cpp : FootprintEnumerate() : line 1758

You just need to flip the / to \ (since Windows uses \)

My fp-lib-table now looks like this at the end:

  (lib (name mysensors_arduino)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_arduino.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_arduino.pretty")(descr ""))
  (lib (name mysensors_buttons)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_buttons.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_buttons.pretty")(descr ""))
  (lib (name mysensors_connectors)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_connectors.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_connectors.pretty")(descr ""))
  (lib (name mysensors_handsoldering)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_handsoldering.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_handsoldering.pretty")(descr ""))
  (lib (name mysensors_leds)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_leds.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_leds.pretty")(descr ""))
  (lib (name mysensors_network)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_network.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_network.pretty")(descr ""))
  (lib (name mysensors_obscurities)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_obscurities.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_obscurities.pretty")(descr ""))
  (lib (name mysensors_radios)(type Github)(uri https://github.com/mysensors-kicad/mysensors_radios.pretty)(options "allow_pretty_writing_to_this_dir=${MYSLOCAL}\mysensors_radios.pretty")(descr ""))

[Jan Gatzke]

Sorry for hijacking this old thread, but I have problems finding libraries for all common parts. Does anybody have a working library for the HlK-PM01 power supply? There are tons of libs for the pcb layout, but i cannot find any symbols. How do you guys find this stuff? I am just asking google for "KiCad HlK-PM01".

[tbowmo]

@Jan-Gatzke

Usually I end up making a symbol myself, or use something that resembles the component that I want to add to the pcb

[Jan Gatzke]

@tbowmo

So basicly I could use any power supply in the circuit and still HLK-PM01 in the layout? How do I map this?

[tbowmo]

@Jan-Gatzke

You map schematic symbols to pcb symbols using CvPcb. in your schematic, it's the 3rd icon from right, in the toolbar above your editor window

The work process is normally as follows:

1. Create your schematics
2. Generate netlist
3. Assign foot prints to the components, using CvPcb
4. Re-generate netlist, as it now will contain info about footprints.
5. Load netlist in pcbNew
6. Do your layout in pcbNew

[Jan Gatzke]

@tbowmo

Thx, this should get me started. I've never successfully designed a pcb before. I had a look at Eagle a few month ago and gave up. I hove I'll have more success with KiCad. Your help is very welcome.

[mfalkvidd]

@Jan-Gatzke I haven't gotten as far as you (i.e. I haven't gotten started wih pcb design yet) but I have collected a few guides that I think will help me to get going. Maybe they are useful for you as well:

• https://contextualelectronics.com/learning/buildpcbs/

• https://www.udemy.com/learn-kicad-printed-circuit-board-design/

• http://docs.kicad-pcb.org/en/getting_started_in_kicad.pdf

[Jan Gatzke]

@mfalkvidd

Thx, this definitly saves some Google time.