[kicad-users] Best practices on setting up directory structure

[[e-mail] [kicad-users]]

Hi folks. I just muddled through a project after being away from Kicad for a few years. Does anyone know of any tutorials that discuss best practices on setting up a directory structure? It should address setting up your own global libraries (for use across your own projects) and project specific libraries. These should be separate from the GITHUB libraries if there are any updates to the GITHUB libraries. I had more problems with working through this aspect of Kicad for my relatively simple projects. Thank you.

Steve Dick

[Andy Eskelson [e-mail] [kicad-users]]

The critical part is the ensure that you only use your own libs and
module libraries, never the github or any third party repo for that
matter.

There is not going to be a standard method for this as it will depending
on your workflow, company requirements or whatever.

I use

My top level directory is called PCB

so:

PCB
Library
Projects
Junk

Library
Modules
Parts
...

Projects
project1-directory
project2-directory
...

Junk
anything else say for testing.


I find this is all I really need.

Andy


On 11 Mar 2016 05:09:37 -0800

Post by ***@optonline.net [kicad-users]
Hi folks. I just muddled through a project after being away from Kicad for a few years. Does anyone know of any tutorials that discuss best practices on setting up a directory structure? It should address setting up your own global libraries (for use across your own projects) and project specific libraries. These should be separate from the GITHUB libraries if there are any updates to the GITHUB libraries. I had more problems with working through this aspect of Kicad for my relatively simple projects. Thank you.
Steve Dick

[Anool Mahidharia [e-mail] [kicad-users]]

I host every project on Github using this folder scheme :

Project
|_kicad
|_____libs
|_____gerber
|_____pdf
|_____datasheets
|_____images
|_____3d_modules
|_code
|_fabricate

I make sure I use my own symbol and footprint libraries for each project. I
also add datasheets for all of the parts I'll be using to help me build the
library. Snapshots (board layout layers, 3D views, pictures of completed
boards) are in the images folder. 3d_modules contains files for rendering
3d. I use a pair of .step and .wrl model for each footprint. .wrl is used
for rendering in KiCad, and .step is used when I import the IDFv3 in to
FreeCAD (for making enclosures).

code is used if required.
fabricate holds mechanical CAD and related assembly info.

In the early day's, I wasn't consistent, but now I use just lower case
characters for all folder names to make my life easier.



Best Regards,

Anool Mahidharia
Work <http://www.lumetron.com/>
DiY <http://www.wyolum.com/>
Hackaday <http://hackaday.com/about/>
HackerSpace <http://www.makersasylum.com>
Git <https://github.com/anool>
Cycling <http://cyclists.in/profile/AnoolJM>
Workouts <http://www.dailymile.com/people/anool>
Flickr <http://www.flickr.com/photos/anool>
Picasa <http://picasaweb.google.com/anool.m>

[[e-mail] [kicad-users]]

Is the documentation of your design in the PDF folder?

Rick


---In kicad-***@yahoogroups.com, <***@...> wrote :

I host every project on Github using this folder scheme :


Project
|_kicad
|_____libs
|_____gerber

|_____pdf

|_____datasheets

|_____images

|_____3d_modules

|_code
|_fabricate


I make sure I use my own symbol and footprint libraries for each project. I also add datasheets for all of the parts I'll be using to help me build the library. Snapshots (board layout layers, 3D views, pictures of completed boards) are in the images folder. 3d_modules contains files for rendering 3d. I use a pair of .step and .wrl model for each footprint. .wrl is used for rendering in KiCad, and .step is used when I import the IDFv3 in to FreeCAD (for making enclosures).


code is used if required.
fabricate holds mechanical CAD and related assembly info.


In the early day's, I wasn't consistent, but now I use just lower case characters for all folder names to make my life easier.






Best Regards,

Anool Mahidharia

[[e-mail] [kicad-users]]

Docs are on Google Drive. I find it's easier to maintain and keep them updated.

Anool


---In kicad-***@yahoogroups.com, <***@...> wrote :

Is the documentation of your design in the PDF folder?

Rick