Quite a few symbol & footprint services that offers scripts for the creation of footprints,
creates footprints with non useable (ugly!) silk screens. Way to thick apperture, silk screen underneath the
footprint, etc. Even some built-in wizards does this (Like Cadence. Have not tried 24.1 yet though)
Unless there is plenty of space available, I always use minimum apperture for silk (0.1mm/4 mil),
add ONLY a pin or polarity indicator for discrete components. And I always place the polarity
indicator
outside the foot print.
For thru hole components (still used?) I always use a square pad for pin #1, cathode (diodes), + on electrolythic capacitors.
Some professional customers I have, only orders the first batch with silk screen for debug before mass production
using TOP layer for board name, revision, a few texts. Nothing else. Having polarity/pin indicators in the copper
layer makes repairing easier.
As previously pointed out, I do not like silk underneath the components
but there are other tips worth reading below:
https://cdn.weka-fachmedien.de/whitepaper/files/mentorpaper_86309.pdf 