steffen-w / import-lib-kicad-plugin Goto Github PK

This seems more of a KiCAD workflow issue than the plugin, but it most likely can be solved by allowing to specify where 3dmodels are stored.

When importing symbols / footprint / 3dmodel, the symbol and footprint go to their intended directories and the libraries and footprints show up as expected, but the 3dmodels are put into directories, such as:

${KICAD8_3RD_PARTY}/Samacsys.3dshapes/
${KICAD8_3RD_PARTY}/Snapeda.3dshapes/

Even though I added these as paths (i.e., KICAD_USER_3DMODEL_DIR = ${KICAD8_3RD_PARTY}/Samacsys.3dshapes/), KiCAD does not search those directories for the 3d models.

If I specifically edit the path of the 3d file to be:

${KICAD8_3RD_PARTY}/Samacsys.3dshapes/some3dmodel.stp
or
${KICAD_USER_3DMODEL_DIR}/some3dmodel.stp

It works fine, but it is a pain to go into every footprint to do this when this plugin does so much already. I combed several forums and nothing seems to answer this question / issue directly.

Hello Steffen,

KiCAD7 has different envoirment variables. it gives me this error

these are the new variable names for KICAD7 -

Hey Steffen, thanks for this handy plugin!
I amjust getting started with KiCad and really like you plugin over the library loader of Samacsys/Mouser.

I tried different ways yesterday to install and configurate the impart gui for KiCad7.07.
Most things were working fine after understanding the NAME of the lib is needed to link the footprint to the symbol and the 3rdparty PATHs are two different ones.

But what I haven't got working is a problem free 3d model import/link/view/whatever.

Symbol and footprint are properly linked, but once I open 3D-View or the Properties->3D-View, the part has two entrys.

1. part.extension
2. {KICAD_3RD_PARTY}/Samacsys.3dshapes/part.extentsion
   

The not working one (red X) has the values already included.
The shown model is the second one, missing the values and resulting missplaced.

Is there some configuration I missed?
I could change the KICAD7_3DMODEL_DIR to the one I added with impart, but now it shows two models:

Right now I help me by just copying the second path into the first one and deleting the second path afterwards.

Any tip for something more automatic would be appreciated.

Hi Steffen,

thanks for the great plugin and all your work!

I was wondering whether it is intentional, that KiCad new library format is imported into library files that are called <Source>_kicad_sym.kicad_sym , wouldn't <Source>.kicad_sym be enough?
Moreover when importing into a blank folder (clear all previously added libraries in that folder) then I get Samacsys.lib/dcm files but also Samacsys_kicad_sym.dcm and Samacsys_kicad_sym.dcm~ (mind the tilde) and Samacsys_kicad_sym.kicad_sym. Also for Snapeda I am getting Snapeda_kicad_sym.dcm and Snapeda_kicad_sym.kicad_sym, shouldn't Snapeda.dcm/kicad_sym be fine?

Is this intentional? Am I missing something?

Please see the attachment.
Problems installing KiCad Plugin.odt

I found your github posted plugin for Kicad Library importing -- looks like just what I need. I followed the instructions for installation and I had no problems. The plug was successfully "applied" in the Kicad plugin manager. However, I can't find anyway to bring your plugin up for use. The screen and example you show for using the program are no where to be found in Kicad -- I've looked all over. Sorry for the "dumb" question, but how the hell does Kicad allow a user to bring up your library plugin? Or any plugin for that matter? Please write a simple, step by step instruction for Kicad 7. I have used Kicad for years, but never needed a plugin. The parts library problem has just gotten to big to ignore.
Also, if you happen to know of a good reference source or example of how to organize the various folders for Kicad 7 libraries, I would be VERY grateful. I have used several PCB programs over 30 years, but Kicad is unique in its disorganized and complex file systems.

Thank you!
Patrick

Hi, importing of Some of my Snapeda v6 files failes with an ascii codec error.
The relevant files are:

• https://www.snapeda.com/parts/150060RS75000/Wurth+Elektronik/view-part/
• https://www.snapeda.com/parts/AZ1117CH-3.3TRG1/Diodes+Inc./view-part/
• https://www.snapeda.com/parts/C2012X7R1E105M085AB/TDK/view-part/
• https://www.snapeda.com/parts/GRM188R61E475KE11D/Murata+Electronics+North+America/view-part/
• https://www.snapeda.com/parts/SFR10EZPJ101/Rohm/view-part/

here the detailed import protocol:

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/06033C104KAT2A.zip
Identify Snapeda
Import of kicad_sym skipped
Import of 3d model skipped
Import of footprint skipped
OK

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/150060RS75000.zip
Identify Snapeda
'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xc3 in position 882: ordinal not in range(128)

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/AZ1117CH-3.3TRG1.zip
Identify Snapeda
'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xc2 in position 1737: ordinal not in range(128)

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/BFP650FH6327XTSA1.zip
Identify Snapeda
Import of kicad_sym skipped
Import of 3d model skipped
Import of footprint skipped
OK

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/C2012X7R1E105M085AB.zip
Identify Snapeda
'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xc2 in position 756: ordinal not in range(128)

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/CRCW080520K0FKEA.zip
Identify Snapeda
Import of kicad_sym skipped
Import of 3d model skipped
Import of footprint skipped
OK

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/CRCW08054K70FKEA.zip
Identify Snapeda
Import of kicad_sym skipped
Import of 3d model skipped
Import of footprint skipped
OK

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/GRM188R61E475KE11D.zip
Identify Snapeda
'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xc2 in position 2254: ordinal not in range(128)

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/ICM-42688-P.zip
Identify Snapeda
Import of kicad_sym skipped
Import of 3d model skipped
Import of footprint skipped
OK

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/SFR10EZPJ101.zip
Identify Snapeda
'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xc2 in position 722: ordinal not in range(128)

Import: /home/user/Downloads/kicad/TL3305BF260QG.zip
Identify Snapeda
Import of kicad_sym skipped
Import of 3d model skipped
Import of footprint skipped
OK


##############################

Important information: 
If you have already used the previous version of the plugin, you should note that the current version supports all library files. Files with the new format are imported as *_kicad_sym and must be included in the settings (only Symbol Lib). The settings are checked at the end of the import process.

KICAD_3RD_PARTY is not defined in Environment Variables.

More information can be found in the README for the integration into KiCad.
github.com/Steffen-W/Import-LIB-KiCad-Plugin
Some configurations require a kicad restart to be detected correctly.

##############################

Hi I tried to follow your instruction but I got this error:

No Idea while it is doing this.

Problem importing SNAPEDA parts into KiCAD 8.0
Date: 3/11/2024
impartGUI version installed: 2024.02.24

For the above, the following steps were completed after installing the plugin using the KiCAD 8.0 "Plugin and Content Manager", before attempting to use the plugin:
1. from "Preferences --> Configure Paths", I created the Environment Variable named "KICAD_3RD_PARTY" - note, KiCAD 8.0 already created a similar variable named "KICAD8_3RD_PARTY" which points to a different folder.

2. from the "Schematic Editor --> Preferences --> Manage Symbol Libraries..." menu option, I added an "Empty Row" to the Global Libraries table with the following values:
* Active - checked
* Visible - checked
* Nickname - Snapeda
* Library Path - ${KICAD_3RD_PARTY}/Snapeda.lib
* Library Format - Legacy
* Options - Snapeda
* Description - Snapeda symbols imported from "impartGUI" plugin

3. from the "PCB Editor --> Preferences --> Manage Symbol Libraries..." menu option, I added an "Empty Row" to the Global Libraries table with the following values:
* Active - checked
* Nickname - Snapeda
* Library Path - ${KICAD_3RD_PARTY}/Snapeda.pretty
* Library Format - KiCad
* Options -
* Description - Snapeda footprints folder imported using "impartGUI" plugin

4. create folder associated with the ${KICAD_3RD_PARTY} environment variable at: C:\Users\theka\Documents\KiCad with the following entries:
* Snapeda.pretty empty folder
* partDownloads with downloaded PC1108.zip downloaded from Snapeda - it contains the following files:
* how-to-import.htm
* PC1108.kicad_sym
* PC1108.step
* TERMINAL_PC1108.kicad_mod

5. restart KiCAD 8.0

6. from the PCB Editor I clicked on the impartGUI button
6a. checked ONLY the "automatic import" chechbox
6b. in the "Folder of the library to import:" I put the following text: C:\Users\theka\Documents\KiCad\partDownloads
6c. in the "Library save location:" I put the following text: C:\Users\theka\Documents\KiCad
this is the same folder as the ${KICAD_3RD_PARTY} environment variable.
6d. clicked on the "Start" button on the impartGUI dialog box.

7. After that, an WARNING dialog box without any title popped up with the following text:
'${KICAD_3RD_PARTY}/Snapeda_kicad_sym.kicad_sym' is not imported into the Symbol Libraries.

More information can be found in the README for the integration into KiCad.
github.com/Steffen-W/Import-LIB-KiCad-Plugin
Some configurations require a kicad restart to be detected correctly.

... so I clicked on the OK button.

8. The final text in the impartGUI dialogue box was:
Import: C:\Users\theka\Documents\KiCad\partDownloads\PC1108.zip
Identify Snapeda
Import kicad_sym
Import 3d model
Import footprint
cannot access local variable 'dcm_file_write' where it is not associated with a value

##############################

Important information: 
If you have already used the previous version of the plugin, you should note that the current version supports all library files. Files with the new format are imported as *_kicad_sym and must be included in the settings (only Symbol Lib). The settings are checked at the end of the import process.

'${KICAD_3RD_PARTY}/Snapeda_kicad_sym.kicad_sym' is not imported into the Symbol Libraries.

More information can be found in the README for the integration into KiCad.
github.com/Steffen-W/Import-LIB-KiCad-Plugin
Some configurations require a kicad restart to be detected correctly.

##############################

9. I click on the Stop button at the top of the impartGUI dialog box, then closed it.

10. Checking the C:\Users\theka\Documents\KiCad\ folder, it now contains the following ADDITIONAL files:
* Snapeda.3dshapes\PC1108.step
* Snapeda.pretty\TERMINAL_PC1108.kicad_mod
* Snapeda.pretty\TERMINAL_PC1108.kicad_mod~
* Snapeda_kicad_sym.dcm
* Snapeda_kicad_sym.kicad_sym

11. restarted KiCAD 8.0

12. In the schematic editor, I pressed the A key (place symbol), and an error dialog box appeared with the following text:
Errors loading symbols:
Error loading symbol library Snapeda.
Library file 'C:\Users\theka\Documents\KiCad\Snapeda.lib' not found.

13. after pressing the OK button for the error, that error doesn't happen on subsequent loads of the "Choose Symbol..." dialog box.
The Snapeda library does show in the filtered items list, but there is no entries in it, and the PC1108 symbol is not found.

Can you please let me know what I am doing incorrectly?
I can provide the files if necessary.
Thank you,
THE Karl Miller

Hi,

I am new to KICAD, so it could also be that I am just blind...
I've just installed your plugin as it seems to be exactly what I want. However, after pressing "apply changes" and restarting KICAD I can't find any of the buttons or functions of the plugin anywhere in KICAD. Neither in the schematics editor nor in the pcb editor.
Is there something I need to activate additionally?
Where can the Import-LIB dialog be accessed normally? I do not find it anywhere in the menus.
If this is not an bug, I am sorry for opening an issue report here. However, the "Documentation" should be updated with all necessary steps (including where to find the import dialog) ;)

Thanks a lot,
Simon

PS: I am using KICAD 7.0.5 (Build May 27, 2023)

I noticed in the README that MacOS support is still tbd. Let me know if you would like a hand testing as this plugin looks awesome. Sadly do all dev on a mac and when clicking the plugin button nothing happens. Happy to help test/debug.

Hi,

upon importing parts I noticed that 3d models where not availalbe in kicad7. The Path used was using ${KICAD_3RD_PARTY} while kicad7 uses KICAD7_3RD_PARTY.

Guess KiCadImport.py:312 needs to check for the kicad version that the plugin is running under....