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Releases: sparkfun/SparkFun-KiCad-Libraries

Version 9.0.0 - Initial release for the KiCad PCM

17 Oct 16:51
2fcab6d

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This release:

  • Contains breaking changes!
  • It restructures the library - as described in #223 - making it compatible with the KiCad PCM
    • The major changes are:
    • The Symbols folder has been renamed symbols
    • The Footprints folder has been renamed footprints
    • The 3D models have moved from the footprints folder to 3dmodels/Capacitor.3dshapes, 3dmodels/Resistor.3dshapes, etc.
  • During the release process, two zip file Assets are created and attached to the release
    • The with-pcm zip file contains self-consistent symbols and footprints. The footprint paths include the default PCM_ Library nickname prefix. If you are installing via the PCM, this is the version which is installed.
    • The without-pcm zip file contains self-consistent symbols and footprints without the PCM_ prefix. If you have cleared the Library nickname prefix in the Preferences, you need to install the without-pcm zip file manually using the PCM "Install from File..." option. The installation instructions contain more detail.
    • Internally, these libraries use an Environmental Variable named SPARKFUN_KICAD_LIBRARY to reference the footprints and 3D models. This is converted into KICAD9_3RD_PARTY during the release process. The release zip file Assets use KICAD9_3RD_PARTY paths. At SparkFun, we use the library as-is with the original SPARKFUN_KICAD_LIBRARY environmental variable paths. Our open-source KiCad designs will contain those same environmental variable paths. If you want to be able to edit existing SparkFun schematics and board designs directly, rather than just make use of our components, you need to manually install a true copy or clone of the library. The installation instructions provide more detail here and here.
  • Users at SparkFun will need to update their symbol and footprint paths, by deleting the current libraries and selecting the new ones with the modified paths. This issue comment provides more detail on the reason for the change.
  • Timeline:
    • Step 1: the changes have now been merged into the main branch
    • Step 2: the build_asset_release workflow will run imminently and will attach the zip file Assets to release v9.0.0
    • Step 3: we will submit a PR to the KiCad Package Metadata on GitLab, adding our metadata with SHA checksum etc.. If KiCad are happy with the submission, the metadata will be added and the library will be available via the PCM as described above. It may take KiCad a few days to respond to the Pull Request. If all goes well, the libraries should appear in the PCM by October 24th 2025. If we need to resubmit, the process will take longer...

As always, if you identify any difficulties or any problems with this release, please open an Issue and we will resolve it.

  • Your friends at SparkFun

v9 Snapshot before PCM changes

22 Sep 17:19
9524ec0

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The library is growing well, and most devices have been converted to v9. We're publishing this release before we make a handful of breaking changes in order to make this repo compatible with KiCad's Plug-in and Content Manager (PCM).

Final release before v8 conversion

20 Mar 18:00
66c6710

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This release contains all SparkFun KiCad parts to date, compatible with v7. All future releases will be v8 compatible and may not be openable by v7.

Additionally, this release will be the last to contain the Pre_v7 folder containing parts that pre-date the conversion to v7.

Convert to KiCad v7

25 Jan 16:57
3bc6a53

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The migration from v4 to v7 is complete. The SparkFun KiCad library is cleaned up and is in general ready to use. We will be constantly adding to it but full releases will lag significantly. For this reason, users are encouraged to always pull main to see the latest.

If you see any problems or discrepancies, please do not hesitate to open an issue.

V_0.2

07 Feb 23:53

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