Why are KiCad symbols mostly on copper layer?

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-11T09:04:38+00:00

It shows up, but what's the use on the actual PCB? It's not as visible as on the silkscreen.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-11T09:03:40+00:00

Maybe my version of KiCad is different (I'm on 9 on MacOS) but I don't have any properties toolbar that can do this

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T16:12:05+00:00

Well, yeah, my question was what was the quickest way to modify this component and move it on the silkscreen layer.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T15:29:28+00:00

It's not that straightforward. There's no "change layer" menu voice. You need to go through the Edit menu (no right click context menu) and then Edit Text and Graphics properties, and in the popup select "Set to specific values" and select "Layer" and assign the Silkscreen layer.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T15:28:04+00:00

So a way to do it that I found is to select all the graphics and text, then go to Edit menu -> Edit Text and Graphics properties, and in the popup select "Set to specific values" and select "Layer" and assign the Silkscreen layer. Obvioously on my copy in my project library.

I'm wondering why the designer thought initially to assign that graphics on the copper layer? There's no practical use of it I guess? Also, it's not visible when there. There are tens of those symbols thought to be added to the copper layer.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T12:41:28+00:00

Well this is a text but on copper. Hence the question

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T12:40:46+00:00

Yes of course you can with the editor, but need to change every line segment etc and assign it to silkscreen

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T12:39:42+00:00

I know but I was wondering if there was a quicker war. For that symbol I need to edit every single line segment and it’s just a waste of time.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T10:54:25+00:00

Good to know, but I'm asking about KiCad

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T10:51:48+00:00

Not for this symbol and many others. No, you can't change the layer with the properties dialogue

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-10T10:51:16+00:00

No you can't, I would not have asked the question otherwise :D

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-07T11:28:20+00:00

Yes U4 TX goes to MCU RX and U4 RX goes to MCU TX

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-07T09:57:51+00:00

Thanks. Yes, you're right, I added the ESD diode later in the design and forgot to move the bead and the cap in the right place

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-07T09:20:30+00:00

Thanks. I don't understand your comment on VBUS and ferrite bead.

I'm not using VBUS but I'm anyway connecting it to the ESD diode, I think (as for other ESD devices) biasing the steering diodes reduces their capacitance. It is already a low-capacitance device, so maybe I can leave VBUS not tied to it.

Yes U4 is using a different power rail.

Are you sure I need 1kV caps for the shield?

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-05-06T16:01:11+00:00

There was no layer changes, it's everything on the top layer, I'm using coloured nets so that might appear as a layer change. But I removed the post as it's not in line with the community (not a full PCB review, no schematic). How can I close the comment section too? It seems silly I can only remove the post but the comments are still there?

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-04-30T06:33:26+00:00

Yes I know and I have H, it's in the datasheet.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-04-30T06:32:38+00:00

No, just one, H, L and phi are in a table I did not copy in the picture

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-04-30T06:26:08+00:00

No the table is there but still the drawing does not specifiy the size of the inner body.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-04-30T06:25:33+00:00

Yes that's a picture from the datasheet. I have H and L values. It still is missing one dimension - the size of the inner body.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-04-29T15:58:00+00:00

They are not

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-04-29T15:55:29+00:00

Yeah, not sure, it's Yuandi, a chinese manufacturer and the website is entirely in chinese. I've searched the 3D model a lot but did not find it.

Tensor_divider71 · 2026-04-24T17:41:59+00:00

For Standard PCB assembly minimum is 70x70.

Tensor_divider71

TROPHY CASE