A footprint describes the physical pin arrangement and body shape of a component. Creating it accurately once lets you reuse it in many board designs.
Check the component datasheet
Before starting, note the pin count, pin numbering, spacing, and body dimensions. ProtoGrid uses the standard 2.54 mm perfboard pitch: adjacent grid holes are 2.54 mm apart.
Open the footprint designer
Open the footprint library from the workspace or board designer and choose Design a footprint. Enter a recognizable name and select the most suitable category.
[image - The footprint library with the Design a footprint button highlighted, followed by the empty footprint designer.]
Place and name pins
- Click each grid hole occupied by a physical component pin.
- Select a pin and enter its number or function, such as 1, VCC, GND, or OUT.
- Click a selected pin again to remove it.
- Compare the spaces between pins with the datasheet. Count intervals between holes, not the number of holes.
Draw the component contour
The contour represents the physical body, which may extend beyond the pins. Its points use millimeters rather than grid steps.
- Enable Footprint contour.
- Drag a contour vertex freely to match the component body.
- Click a contour edge to insert another vertex for an irregular shape.
- Select a vertex and press Delete or Backspace to remove it. A closed contour must retain at least three points.
- Choose border and background colors that keep the part easy to identify.
[image - A footprint designer showing named pins and an irregular closed contour, with one vertex selected and an inserted edge vertex visible.]
Save, edit, and transfer footprints
Save the footprint to your private library. Private footprints can be edited later or submitted for review. Use Export footprints at the bottom of the library sidebar to download only footprints you created, and Import footprints to restore a ProtoGrid footprint file.
Verify before reuse
Place the footprint on a test board and compare its pin spacing, numbering, and body clearance with the real component. Correct the library footprint before using it in more projects.