PCB Preview Did Not Include Footprint Pin Identifiers

[RCBakerBorn]

Hello,

I noticed it too late as I had already ordered PCBs from a supplier.

The pin numbers I included in a library footprint for a connector, on the tPlace layer, did not show up on the preview. It turns out it also did not print on the top of the PCB either.

I had a rectangle indicator on another connector tPlace layer that did.

Any idea why?

Please advise. Thank you.

[jorge_garcia]

Hello @RCBakerBorn,

I hope you're doing well. That depends on how the part was designed, if you notice there is a square pad to indicate pin 1 on connector 2. In the library you could add a mark over pin 1.

There are several ways to indicate pin 1 in this design, you can have the silkscreen marker or use a different pad shape.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[RCBakerBorn]

Hey Jorge,

Your response makes it sound like you're not understanding my question.

I create my own footprints so I can denote pin markings for connectors.

As you can see on the image, with the copper pours hidden, the pin number designations are visible.

But in the preview, they are not showing up.

They are on the same layer as the marking on CONN1 but are not shown in the preview.

The preview is how they came from the board house.

I want the pin designations for CONN2 as I created in the footprint.

Why are the pin designations not carrying over from the footprint I created?

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @RCBakerBorn,

You are correct I did misunderstand. So the issue here is going to definitely be in the library. Color is not a good way to judge that things are on the same layer, since by default we re-use the same 8 colors over and over again.

Go into the library and check that text, ideally it should be on the tPlace layer or bPlace layer. If it's not move it to that layer and it will be included in the CAM output. That's the simplest solution.

Best Regards,

[RCBakerBorn]

Hey Jorge,

I originally put them on the tPlace layer and that was the preview I sent to you.

So, I tried putting them on the same layer (tNames) as CONN1 marking and still not showing up on preview.

I'm starting to think I may have to recreate the footprint but want to avoid that if possible.

Either that or use a text box in PCB editor, which would be easier than updating the footprint in my opinion.

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hello @RCBakerBorn,

You can definitely use the Text command to write that text onto the board directly. I'm feeling pretty confident that the pins numbers are not on the tPlace layer. Here's an easy way to confirm. Turn off the tPlace layer in the board, if the numbers stay behind then they are not on the tPLace layer.

Let me know what you see

Best Regards,

[RCBakerBorn]

Ok. I will try this.

Thank you.

[RCBakerBorn]

I went back to the library and the pin identifiers were on th etPlace layer.

However, I did not have an up-to-date library. After I updated my library, all is well.

Thank you Jorge.