Pull one channel from multi-channel while preserving layout

[xtofla]

Hello,
I need to make some minor changes to one of the channels of a multi-channel design so I created a new schematic sheet with the same content as the channel (for now, will modify later), re-annotated to update the designators and link the sheet symbol of one of the channels to the new schematic file. At this point, the only change to the design is new designators for that one channel.

When I import the changes to the layout, it removes the old parts then adds the new ones instead of executing a "modify". The result is that all the parts from that channel are pulled out of the layout. I'd rather avoid re-placing all the parts manually...

Is there any way to pull a channel out of a multi-channel design without affecting the layout beyond the designator change?

Thanks!

[T3sl4co1l]

One more housekeeping step: make component links (in PCB: C, K).  This should be fairly easy since you've manually(?) updated designators, just match them up.

Tim

[xtofla]

As you already knew it would, that worked perfectly. Thank you for your help!

[Doctorandus_P]

I read your post a few times, but it's not clear what you are dong exactly.

Is this a hierarchical design where the "channel" is a hierarchical sheet, and you want to modify one of those channels?

Are you aware of the "Replicate Layout" action plugin in KiCad?

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One thing that may work for you is t first copy some part of the schematic, and then press the right mouse button and select "Paste Special" from the popup menu, instead of a normal paste.
This "special paste" has an option to preserve the UUID's that link schematic symbols with footprints on the PCB.

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As long as the reference designators are still the same between schematic symbols and PCB footprints, you can aways use these as an alternate method during "Update PCB from Schematic [F8]".

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As a third option, you can make a copy of a part of the tracks on the PCB, delete any footprints on that part, and then snap the pads of new footprints to the endpoints of those copied tracks.
As soon new footprints are placed over some old tracks, then the tracks automatically become part of the nets for which they have enough overlap with the pads of the footprints.
For this last option, you may have to change the settings in Preferences / PCB Editor / Editing Options / Magnetic Points / Snap to tracks: Always