PCB Libraries Forum : Footprint Expert Guideline Additional Page Request https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:46:15 +0000 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:44:39 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 30 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=3705 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Footprint Expert Guideline Additional Page Request : You need to upgrade to Footprint...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14655.html#14655 Author: Tom H
Subject: 3705
Posted: 17 Sep 2026 at 9:44am

You need to upgrade to Footprint Expert V26.09 before we can help you. 

We can't fix issues that are in older versions as they might already be fixed. 

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:44:39 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14655.html#14655 <![CDATA[Footprint Expert Guideline Additional Page Request : Would you be able to help figure...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14654.html#14654 Author: Alex Quilty
Subject: 3705
Posted: 17 Sep 2026 at 9:40am

Would you be able to help figure out why that is greyed out for me? Here I have the DEMO part put in, but I can't edit much. This is a little outdated, it is FP Expert 26.05...

Actually, after reviewing it looks like FP Designer is not part of the Free Calculator download. That would explain that.

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:40:53 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14654.html#14654 <![CDATA[Footprint Expert Guideline Additional Page Request : Footprint Expert uses a text file...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14653.html#14653 Author: Tom H
Subject: 3705
Posted: 17 Sep 2026 at 8:56am

Footprint Expert uses a text file on your computer called ManufacturerList.txt. 

It resides in the installation folder. 

The IPC Calculators generate footprints with a single pad stack with exceptions for parts with Thermal Pads have 2 pad stacks. 

The Manufacturer List is primarily used for non-standard packages that have multiple pad stacks. Every non-standard package must use the mfr. recommended pattern because there are no IPC rules to autogenerate pad stacks. 

In FP Designer 'Specifications' panel, you can type the first 3 letters of any mfr. and the names will appear. Then the abbreviated name is auto-populated into the Footprint Name along with the Case Code or Part Number that you enter. 

We're considering adding the ManufacturerList.txt to the Guideline in a Table format. 



What do you think?

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:56:13 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14653.html#14653 <![CDATA[Footprint Expert Guideline Additional Page Request : Hi, Alex. Thanks for your feedback...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14652.html#14652 Author: Nick B
Subject: 3705
Posted: 17 Sep 2026 at 8:51am

Hi, Alex. Thanks for your feedback on this. Thumbs Up

Interesting idea, we'll consider how we can get it set up for easy update. The Manufacturer List gets updated periodically. We added at least one if not two manufacturers in the past month; this will also require more frequent Guideline updates, so we'll need to have it set up to easily update not just the PDF Guideline but also the Manufacturer List section in the online edition here in the forum.  Hmmm 
]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:51:06 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14652.html#14652 <![CDATA[Footprint Expert Guideline Additional Page Request : In your Library Expert Footprint...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14651.html#14651 Author: Alex Quilty
Subject: 3705
Posted: 17 Sep 2026 at 8:29am

In your Library Expert Footprint Naming Convention Guidelines for IPC-7351 you had an Appendix for Library Expert Manufacturer Names, and I was wondering if you could maybe add that to the Footprint Expert Guideline possibly? This helped guide me in naming new manufacturer parts.

I see in the guideline in section 18 a mention on FPX File Definitions mentioning a feature for auto populating the Manufacturer Names, but I'm unsure if this comes with the free version or how to make use of that information.

It would be even awesomer if I could just input the manufacturer for any particular part and for it to auto populate a shortened name for the manufacturer. Does this exist somewhere already or could this possibly be added to the Guideline?]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:29:35 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-guideline-additional-page-request_topic3705_post14651.html#14651