KiCad

Part Placement by reference

Asked by Matthias

Hello,

I´m just working on my first big project with KiCAD, and I´m almost ready to start the layout.

When I create a new layout, all parts from the netlist are put on one location in the layout - sorting several hundred elements becomes a nightmare.

Is there a way to grab an element using it´s refrence, for example like a text command "m R12" to move R12? This would be very helpfull.

I didn´t find a way to do this - am I overlooking something?

Thanks for any hints!

Regards,

Matthias

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Wayne Stambaugh
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Best Wayne Stambaugh (stambaughw) said : 		#1

Use the find dialog (Ctrl+f). It will warp the mouse the center of the footprint. Hit the escape key to dismiss the dialog and hit the m key to begin moving the footprint. Not ideal but useful none the less. It will save you time searching for footprints.

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Matthias (matthias-jelen) said : 		#2

Wayne,

thanks for your answer. I just gave it a try. CRTL-F is certainly useful, but after pressing ESC and hitting m I´m getting the same dialog as if I just put the mouse over the pile of footprints.

This solution would work perfect if the footprints were spread out automatically in some kind of grid after adding them to the layout.

It´s not a huge issue because it´ll have to be done only one time per project, but it´s a pain nevertheless.

Thanks again,

Matthias

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Wayne Stambaugh (stambaughw) said : 		#3

To spread out footprints after the initial net list import, put Pcbnew in the "footprint mode" by toggling the "Footprint mode" button on. The "Footprint mode" button is the first button to the right of the layer combo box in the horizontal toolbar. Right click anywhere on the board canvas and select "Spread out All Footprints" from the "Global Spread and Place" context menu entry. This will lay out the footprints in a grid. Please not this is not an auto place routine. Do not expect the footprint layout to be in any way near what you want. It is merely to move the stacked footprints after reading the net list. This is documented in section 3.13.3 in the Pcbnew Reference manual.

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Lorenzo Marcantonio (l-marcantonio) said : 		#4

On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 08:07:01PM -0000, Matthias wrote:
> Is there a way to grab an element using it´s refrence, for example like a text command "m R12" to move R12? This would be very helpfull.
>
> I didn´t find a way to do this - am I overlooking something?

Yes, the key to use is 'T' (take)... t R12, following your example

Have fun,

--
Lorenzo Marcantonio
Logos Srl

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Matthias (matthias-jelen) said : 		#5

Hello Lorenzo,

perfect! That´s exactly what I was hoping for Many thanks.

Matthias