KiCad

Component Properties: Fields and BOM dialogue

Asked by Stephen Bernhoeft

1) I'd really like to be able to add user-defined fields in the Library Editor. Is this possible? At present i seem to be only able to add fields once I've placed a part on the schematic.

2.1) Would be very nice if the headings - at present for example (ref,value,Field1,Item count...) could be *at least as wide* as the widest value the field takes. It looks more readable then because things "line up".

At present
----------------
ref,value,Field1,Item count
R6,10k,Some user field value,1

Easier to read as
-------------------------
ref,value,Field1 ,Item count
R6,10k ,Some user field value,1

2.2) Future: The actual user key might (eventually) migrate towards a "field" in a "database table". So it has to be a unique string
in the schematic. When adding/editing a component, user would see all existing fields. So if I add a new field then (optionally at least), the field would propagate to all parts on the schematic, and (optionally) back to the library part.

Then the actual user key (for instance "Characteristics" or "Supplier Code") would be shown, not "Field 1" etc. This way I'd know what fields I want to export straight away.

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Solved by:
Lorenzo Marcantonio
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Best Lorenzo Marcantonio (l-marcantonio) said : 		#1

On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 10:46:05AM -0000, Stephen Bernhoeft wrote:

> 1) I'd really like to be able to add user-defined fields in the Library Editor. Is this possible? At present i seem to be only able to add fields once I've placed a part on the schematic.

Yes, you can do that. In the lib editor use the field properties dialog,
the big T button on the toolbar. Then 'Add field' button.

> 2.1) Would be very nice if the headings - at present for example (ref,value,Field1,Item count...) could be *at least as wide* as the widest value the field takes. It looks more readable then because things "line up".

I assume you are talking about the bom... these are intended to be
imported in a spreadsheet, however if you know XSLT or python it's
easily customizable (look in the manual in the BOM plugin section)

> in the schematic. When adding/editing a component, user would see all existing fields. So if I add a new field then (optionally at least), the field would propagate to all parts on the schematic, and (optionally) back to the library part.

There is *some* support in the preferences/options/template field names
dialog... you can specificy at most 10 default field names, but that's
all.

--
Lorenzo Marcantonio
Logos Srl

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Stephen Bernhoeft (reg-abelgratis) said : 		#2

Many thanks for your help Lorenzo!

Regarding (2.1).
I appreciate the BOM is meant to be "imported in a spreadsheet"; however I find the result to be difficult to read. Thus, I (as "spreadsheet user") find the result not much easier to read (in a spreadsheet) than in was in a text editor.

This is because of the issue I mentioned.

I don't know XLST, and it is a while since I used python...

I still think this would be an improvement it it were changed in Kicad itself.

Regards
Stephen.

Revision history for this message
Stephen Bernhoeft (reg-abelgratis) said : 		#3

Thanks Lorenzo Marcantonio, that solved my question.