Two things. 1) You don't need to create multiple footprints. As with normal components, a footprint can have many layers. You can add the main graphic to the silkscreen and then add the teeth to the copper and mask layers. That entire multi-layer object is then one footprint item so when you add it to the PCB, you get it all. Doing it this way will eliminate your having to carefully align the separate footprints every time you want to add them to a PCB and also you'll never just forget to add a footprint leaving it missing a section of the intended layer pile. 2) The reason the teeth landed on the incorrect layer, forcing you to change the layer property for each piece afterward, is because you didn't select the desired correct layer before adding the graphic. The silkscreen layer was still selected on the righthand side list of layers. Just click the correct layer first, then import the graphic.
One way to change elements of a footprint from one layer to another, is open the kicad_mod file in a text editor and search/replace the layer tag - F.SilkS, F.Cu, etc.
That's how I've done it in the past. I just wish the devs would add better graphics control like multiple selection of objects to move to other layers. I'd like to see controls like Adobe Illustrator, Shift-Click to select multiple objects, Hold Space bar to pan etc. That would make life so much simpler :-)
I would remove solder-mask from all the teeth and copper on only on one tooth. That will get the yellowish color of the FR4 for most of the teeth, and only one tooth with a metal cap. (Probably go for ENIG finish to get a single gold tooth.)
Nice idea, but just wondering about solder mask for all the components inside the logo, for exposing copper pads to solder the components. Probably to add a couple of steps further, before being able to manufacture the PCB ?
True, if you run the traces on top, you will get a color difference with the trace. Of course, you could also change the design and use either through-hole or even vias to minimize the impact.
@@StuartPatterson: - 'Silkscreen', 'Soldermask', and of course 'Copper' layers should be worked or reworked together. - for the PCB Manufacturer to avoid any ink (Silkscreen) or varnish (Soldermask) on the solder pads, thanks correct and coherent apertures for all of these layers. - PCB manufacturers could/would not proceed, if not correct, for Customer satisfaction before manufacturing them. - Considering also, for the PCBA Manufacturer, 'Solderpaste' layers used for machine soldering (if not DIY done manually). - Whatever are the EEE's used (either being SMT or PHT ), this could be done the same way for the final silkscreen layer, by retreating it when needed, again with Inscape or any other similar software, until you get the right expected result for the final PCB ... Thanks a perfect and wonderful silkscreen layer 👍
@@StuartPatterson: 0.04" (0.1mm) apertures seems some figures used. Example: for rectangular pads, .012" x 0.040" copper pad, 0.016" x 0.044" soldermask. Most probably to use 0.02" x 0.048" for silkscreen. let us know, from people having experimented some similar figures with different satisfyng results, sharing details 🤔
I am sorry but it is not clear to me what you are asking. The link to the original image is included in the description section of the video. I could not include it because it is copyrighted. I have made a number of these type of pcbs without issues, so I appreciate your input but I have not experienced the issues you describe. In terms of thickness, pad size, etc this example was created using the KiCAD defaults. I have found the 3d viewer to be very good at depicting the resultant design. If you want to see some amazing pcb art search X (twitter) on #badgelife thanks for the comments!
This video is amazing, thank you. I’m trying to remove a section of the copper layer. This way I can put LEDs on the rear and have them shine through. I’ve followed your steps, which I can expose the copper layer but I can not figure out of how to remove the copper layer. Any idea’s?
@@StuartPatterson I figured it out. Was thinking too deep and was trying to layer multiple layers, if that makes sense. Just produced a foodprint at the F.mask level. Although the ‘keep out’ rule will work next time. Thanking you
Excellent video Stuart! I am using KiCad version 7, and when I open the Image Converter tool, there is only one 'button' namely Load Source Image, no button to save or export the changed file. Any recommendations? I know version 8 is out, but I'd like to finish a project with version 7. Thanks in advance.
So, after you "Load Bitmap" in the Bitmap to Component Converter, there is no Export to Clipboard? I know in KiCAD 8 those buttons moved to the bottom of the dialog. Hopefully, you just missed them.
@@StuartPatterson thanks for your response. No, there is only the one button. I've tried this Image Converter app several times with the same result. Strange. Perhaps it's time to uninstall KiCad 7 and install the version 8.
At the 14:23 mark, when editing the teeth, the fill color of the teeth changed from white to black after deleting the surrounding bezier curve(s). Why did the fill color change from white to black? Was the original design constructed with a boolean operation that subtracted the teeth from the surrounding 'gums'? In that case, the teeth fill color change makes sense.
I believe you are correct. Remember the graphic was converted into a path object with the trace bitmap. So I assume that is how they determine the inner shapes.
Two things.
1) You don't need to create multiple footprints. As with normal components, a footprint can have many layers. You can add the main graphic to the silkscreen and then add the teeth to the copper and mask layers. That entire multi-layer object is then one footprint item so when you add it to the PCB, you get it all. Doing it this way will eliminate your having to carefully align the separate footprints every time you want to add them to a PCB and also you'll never just forget to add a footprint leaving it missing a section of the intended layer pile.
2) The reason the teeth landed on the incorrect layer, forcing you to change the layer property for each piece afterward, is because you didn't select the desired correct layer before adding the graphic. The silkscreen layer was still selected on the righthand side list of layers. Just click the correct layer first, then import the graphic.
Thank you! Very helpful information!
At the top right, you can select the copper/solder mask layer from the dropdown box before pasting.
Thanks. Someone else also suggested the same thing. Thank you!
That's the best video about advanced graphics on YT. You taught me a lot. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
This video is absolutely fantastic - thanks so much for making this!!
Thank you for the compliment!
thanks man this rules! i've been using EAGLE for years where things like this are so, so much harder. mind boggling with the possibilities..
Glad it helped!
One way to change elements of a footprint from one layer to another, is open the kicad_mod file in a text editor and search/replace the layer tag - F.SilkS, F.Cu, etc.
Good point! Thanks Kevin!
That's how I've done it in the past. I just wish the devs would add better graphics control like multiple selection of objects to move to other layers. I'd like to see controls like Adobe Illustrator, Shift-Click to select multiple objects, Hold Space bar to pan etc. That would make life so much simpler :-)
@@stevesm2010 Maybe version 7 :-)
We can but hope! :D
@@stevesm2010 i think it's a simple feature that could be added easily, idk why the devs haven't done it yet !!?
Super-excellent = thank you!
Thank you!
I would remove solder-mask from all the teeth and copper on only on one tooth. That will get the yellowish color of the FR4 for most of the teeth, and only one tooth with a metal cap. (Probably go for ENIG finish to get a single gold tooth.)
Cool idea!
Wow that's cool, thank you Sir! :)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice idea, but just wondering about solder mask for all the components inside the logo, for exposing copper pads to solder the components.
Probably to add a couple of steps further, before being able to manufacture the PCB ?
True, if you run the traces on top, you will get a color difference with the trace. Of course, you could also change the design and use either through-hole or even vias to minimize the impact.
@@StuartPatterson:
- 'Silkscreen', 'Soldermask', and of course 'Copper' layers should be worked or reworked together.
- for the PCB Manufacturer to avoid any ink (Silkscreen) or varnish (Soldermask) on the solder pads, thanks correct and coherent apertures for all of these layers.
- PCB manufacturers could/would not proceed, if not correct, for Customer satisfaction before manufacturing them.
- Considering also, for the PCBA Manufacturer, 'Solderpaste' layers used for machine soldering (if not DIY done manually).
- Whatever are the EEE's used (either being SMT or PHT ), this could be done the same way for the final silkscreen layer, by retreating it when needed, again with Inscape or any other similar software, until you get the right expected result for the final PCB ...
Thanks a perfect and wonderful silkscreen layer 👍
Thank you for sharing!
@@StuartPatterson:
0.04" (0.1mm) apertures seems some figures used.
Example: for rectangular pads,
.012" x 0.040" copper pad,
0.016" x 0.044" soldermask.
Most probably to use 0.02" x 0.048" for silkscreen.
let us know, from people having experimented some similar figures with different satisfyng results, sharing details 🤔
I am sorry but it is not clear to me what you are asking. The link to the original image is included in the description section of the video. I could not include it because it is copyrighted. I have made a number of these type of pcbs without issues, so I appreciate your input but I have not experienced the issues you describe. In terms of thickness, pad size, etc this example was created using the KiCAD defaults. I have found the 3d viewer to be very good at depicting the resultant design. If you want to see some amazing pcb art search X (twitter) on #badgelife thanks for the comments!
This video is amazing, thank you.
I’m trying to remove a section of the copper layer. This way I can put LEDs on the rear and have them shine through. I’ve followed your steps, which I can expose the copper layer but I can not figure out of how to remove the copper layer.
Any idea’s?
Thanks! Checkout out keep out areas in KiCAD 6. I think you can do what you want with those. Let me know how it goes.
@@StuartPatterson I figured it out. Was thinking too deep and was trying to layer multiple layers, if that makes sense. Just produced a foodprint at the F.mask level. Although the ‘keep out’ rule will work next time. Thanking you
@@Ilikeridin glad you got it working and letting me know! Thanks!
Excellent video Stuart! I am using KiCad version 7, and when I open the Image Converter tool, there is only one 'button' namely Load Source Image, no button to save or export the changed file. Any recommendations? I know version 8 is out, but I'd like to finish a project with version 7. Thanks in advance.
So, after you "Load Bitmap" in the Bitmap to Component Converter, there is no Export to Clipboard? I know in KiCAD 8 those buttons moved to the bottom of the dialog. Hopefully, you just missed them.
@@StuartPatterson thanks for your response. No, there is only the one button. I've tried this Image Converter app several times with the same result. Strange. Perhaps it's time to uninstall KiCad 7 and install the version 8.
I don’t have 7 installed to try and figure it out, but maybe there was a reason they turned it off. No idea. You will like 8. I do.
Is this broken in 6.0.9, I get the error can't find graphic in file.
What specifically? I just downloaded and installed 6.0.9 and tried adding the skull outline svg to a pcb I was working on without issue.
@Stuart Patterson I'm starting to think its my files. When I go to load an svg it says no graphic found in file. Thanks for checking your file.
At the 14:23 mark, when editing the teeth, the fill color of the teeth changed from white to black after deleting the surrounding bezier curve(s).
Why did the fill color change from white to black? Was the original design constructed with a boolean operation that subtracted the teeth from the surrounding 'gums'? In that case, the teeth fill color change makes sense.
I believe you are correct. Remember the graphic was converted into a path object with the trace bitmap. So I assume that is how they determine the inner shapes.