Does a Switchcraft or CTS/Alpha component library already exist?

Libraries
1

So, here I am, a PC tech/sysadmin that’s actually working on some guitar nerd stuff and I’ve never designed a PCB. I’ve got schematics floating around in my head, but the actual layout of a PCB is new territory for me.

So, discovering how much LibrePCB just makes sense (as opposed to the couple of times I tried to do things in KiCAD) is refreshing!

Now, I have all the libraries from the manager loaded, but I’m not seeing a few of the pieces that I’m looking for, specifically 24mm potentiometers (like CTS or Alpha) and Switchcraft components (particularly their various switches, like this or this.

Now, it doesn’t seem like rocket surgery to create what I need, but if it already exists there’s no necessity to recreate the wheel, right?

2

Hi,

The switches you posted are not for PCB soldering, they are for soldering wires to them. So depending on what you want, the solution is different:

  • If you want to mount the switches on a panel and connect with wires to the PCB, you just need to place a connector on the PCB (e.g. “Soldered Wire Connector”, available in the libraries).
  • Or if you want to solder the switches directly onto the PCB, you need to look for other models, which have pins for PCB soldering (often called “Mounting Type: Through-Hole” or similar). Your linked models are “Mounting Type: Panel”.

For the latter, yes, this kind of switch does not exist in our libraries yet. Then you have a few options:

  • Create the library elements on your own (tutorial). It’s not rocket science, but yes, at the beginning it takes a moment to understand the concept.
  • Find EAGLE or KiCad libraries of the desired switch and import those library elements into LibrePCB (generally not the recommended approach, but often works good enough for hobby projects).
  • Find someone who creates the library elements for you :slight_smile:
1 Like
3

Fortunately Switchcraft does have PCB mount versions of all their components, as well as CTS and Alpha.

If I get the libraries set up for the components and they’re presentable/usable beyond my own janky needs I’ll submit them.

4

That would be awesome of course :heart: However, please be warned that we have very strict guidelines on what comes into our official libraries, therefore the library contributions process can be a bit challenging/frustrating if you are not 100% familiar with it yet. If you are interested, please have a look at those resources:

Especially for newcomers, honestly I recommend to first create your own library elements in your local library, and only start with contributing them once you gained some experience with the process.

Anyway, just let me know if you need help on creating your switch.