Are you on Windows?
Can't believe I forgot to mention that.
Sure am.
All my other files in the google drive are fine to open / edit (schematics, pcb etc.)
however, the footprint doesn't like working.
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Create new library “${KICAD_GDRIVE}/KiCAD Libs/footprints/Phoenix Contact.pretty”?
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Library “${KICAD_GDRIVE}/KiCAD Libs/footprints/Phoenix Contact.pretty” does not exist.
Would you like to create it?
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Yes No
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Warning
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Cannot create footprint library path “${KICAD_GDRIVE}\KiCAD Libs\footprints\Phoenix Contact.pretty”
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OK
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kicad Error
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Directory '${KICAD_GDRIVE}\KiCAD Libs\footprints\Phoenix Contact.pretty' couldn't be created (error 3: the system cannot find the path specified.)
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OK
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the KICAD_GDRIVE has been set up correct AFAIK and seems to work in other places (including opening the files initiall)