PCB Libraries Forum : Custom, User-Defined Footprints https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:09:36 +0000 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 14:25:48 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=575 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : Yes, most definitely! ]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post3951.html#3951 Author: kwgilpin
Subject: 575
Posted: 20 Jul 2013 at 2:25pm

Yes, most definitely!
]]> Sat, 20 Jul 2013 14:25:48 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post3951.html#3951 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : Can you create &#034;Custom&#034;...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post3949.html#3949 Author: Tom H
Subject: 575
Posted: 20 Jul 2013 at 1:15pm

Can you create "Custom" footprints now?
 
Are you happy with the new "Footprint Designer"?
]]> Sat, 20 Jul 2013 13:15:56 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post3949.html#3949 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : One of our next new features...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post2046.html#2046 Author: Tom H
Subject: 575
Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 8:45am

One of our next new features for the PCB Library Expert is called the "Footprint Designer" that will allow the user to interactively define custom pad stacks and body outline of a through-hole connector and save that data in a .FPX file.
 
Once the package holes and body outline are defined, the padstacks and drafting elements are automatically generated to create the Footprint with your User Preferences.
 
This new feature will have the ability to create 50,000 different PTH Connectors. Then we'll start adding other component families to allow the user to create different packages and then apply IPC rules or your Preferences to auto-generate the Footprint.
 
Coming in V2013.
 
]]> Sun, 21 Oct 2012 08:45:01 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post2046.html#2046 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : Hopefully the PCB Footprint...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post2010.html#2010 Author: Tom H
Subject: 575
Posted: 13 Oct 2012 at 6:33pm

Hopefully the PCB Footprint Expert will soon output 3D-STEP models as an add-on option.
 
The next project would be to import STEP and calculate an IPC certified Footprint.
 
Auto-trim the silkscreen around pads and auto-generate padstacks, drafting outlines for assembly, 3D and courtyard, ref des and alpha-numeric pin assignments and then save the data to a main library file. Retrieve the data at any time. Extreme advanced features are coming in 2013.
 
The eventual goal is for all PCB library creation automation to exist in the PCB Footprint Expert and not in the native CAD tool library editor. The world needs a global solution to end duplication of effort in the PCB library space. Common component package data should be freely accessible to everyone.
 
  
]]> Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:33:06 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post2010.html#2010 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : Ah cool, I was about to post a...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post2009.html#2009 Author: Joris
Subject: 575
Posted: 13 Oct 2012 at 4:52pm

Ah cool, I was about to post a topic on this topic!

I think our main use for this would be with connectors. Would they be build from a table with pad / outline coordinates?

Some manufacturers (for example Molex) supply STEP models of their parts that include pad locations as well. I think it should be theoretically possible to extract that data to generate the pads (and outline), or is that a bit too far out?
]]> Sat, 13 Oct 2012 16:52:09 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post2009.html#2009 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : Thanks for the super quick reply....]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1849.html#1849 Author: kwgilpin
Subject: 575
Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 12:40pm

Thanks for the super quick reply.  I look forward to seeing the new features.

-Kyle
]]> Sun, 23 Sep 2012 12:40:00 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1849.html#1849 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : Those who take advantage of the...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1848.html#1848 Author: Nick B
Subject: 575
Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 11:29am

Those who take advantage of the opportunity to get 2012 now will be glad they did as there will be an upgrade path to v2013.]]> Sun, 23 Sep 2012 11:29:55 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1848.html#1848 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : Kyle, We&#039;re working on...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1847.html#1847 Author: Tom H
Subject: 575
Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 11:22am

Kyle,
 
We're working on new features that will enable the PCB Footprint Expert to build any library part in the world and automate the construction process as much as possible.
 
Hang in there, it's coming in V2013.
 
]]> Sun, 23 Sep 2012 11:22:13 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1847.html#1847 <![CDATA[Custom, User-Defined Footprints : As a user of multiple layout tools,...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1846.html#1846 Author: kwgilpin
Subject: 575
Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 10:57am

As a user of multiple layout tools, it'd be nice if Footprint Expert supported custom, user-defined footprints for odd-ball components.  It'd be wonderful if I only had to create these types of footprints once in Footprint Expert before exporting them to each of the different layout programs that I use.  Any chance of this happening?

Thanks,
Kyle
]]> Sun, 23 Sep 2012 10:57:20 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/custom-userdefined-footprints_topic575_post1846.html#1846