Anyone tried the new Jul 2018 version 5. of Kicad?
If so what improvements found? Comments etc.
Max.

 

Usually Dave's posts are entertaining, but why would anyone put up a live stream tutorial for over 2+hours of rambling?

Max.

 

Hi Max,
I just recently updated to v5. There are some nice improvements in v5. The schematic symbol and footprint editor features are now much improved in my mind. In terms of the PCB editor, I like the update to the way the traces are displayed which makes it nice and easy to view your trace clearances in real time as you're routing them.

There is, however, one infuriating issue for me. It may well be me doing something wrong as I have not yet read the documentation. I now find it impossible to delete an entire track in one go. Each time I select a bit and hit "delete" it just deletes a small track segment to the first corner. After the segment is deleted, the "add traces" button becomes deselected meaning you have to click it again to be able to add or remove tracks.

 

I havent played with PCBNEW much since upgrading to 5. The remap symbols is awesome. It helps upgrade old projects to the new libraries (why they need to re arrange the entire library every time they upgrade is beyond me).

But the one feature I upgraded for is; FLIP BOARDS. So when you need to work on the backside of your board, you can actually flip it around so it isnt all backwards.

I've only been on 5 for about a week, and only used it 2-3 times, to go over my libraries, migrate a couple projects, and do some work on a schematic. I would say its worth the upgrade for the PCB flip feature. The libraries are a disaster, as usual. But they claim to be working hard at it. I installed the 4.0 libraries from GIT as well, between the current 5.0 and the old libraries i've got all I could need. Apparently this was driven by some quality requirements for the models. Also as usual I found a few footprints with bad paths to the 3d models, seems every upgrade there are a few mismatched paths.

My vote would be upgrade, unless you are 90% finished a project, and dont want to spend a few hours migrating/updating your footprint libraries to current.

 

Anyone tried the new Jul 2018 version 5. of Kicad?
If so what improvements found? Comments etc.
Max.

I start using it encountered some problems with the libs
In previous rel's you where able to load a symbol/footprint modify and save in the same lib not possible anymore.
Result: make a new lib and use this for your new symbol(s).
But loading modifying and saving drawings in old Version4xx works ok.
Coping your existing (private) libs goes great. It takes coping time plus time needed to add to lib list.( preferences => footprint library manager)

I do like it (apart from negative things mentioned above)
Maybe more problems to arrive who knows.

Picbuster

 

I start using it encountered some problems with the libs
In previous rel's you where able to load a symbol/footprint modify and save in the same lib not possible anymore.

Yes, I found the similar results, I went back to 4.0.7 until the 5 has run for a while.
Max.

 

I start using it encountered some problems with the libs
In previous rel's you where able to load a symbol/footprint modify and save in the same lib not possible anymore.
Picbuster

Interesting, I never thought this was possible.

I've experienced library issues with every upgrade, to the point I lament upgrading this software. This one was smoother than the last, so I guess they are getting, less bad.