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DavidM
United Kingdom
458 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Feb 2011 : 11:45:14
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At the risk of opening the floodgates to a huge list of small incremental features, what would really light your fire in V15?
We've already seen some topics on the forum about perceived 'lack' of impact in previous releases, and obviously also some discussion about particular points (e.g. library management), but if you have strong ideas about places where big jumps in productivity could be gained then let's hear them. We do have a lot of enhancement requests logged already, which are mostly small changes to existing functions just to round things off a bit.
So, what would really blow your socks off? If you could halve your project development time, what would do it for you? Or is there nothing that big and its all just incremental tweaks that would help you more?
David.
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remi
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2011 : 13:12:43
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tell you something
For me if there is only 1 new feature in v15 and it is a PROPER mangement of the library that will be perfectly fine
But obviously it would have to be done right |
Edited by - remi on 10 Feb 2011 13:14:34 |
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2011 : 15:23:51
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quote:
but if you have strong ideas about places where big jumps in productivity could be gained then let's hear them.
Got an error message when I tried to upload list. Insufficient space on server to accommodate file so here is the abridged version
1. Schematic component renumbering. Provide automatic way (similar to auto pin renumbering) whereby one can easily renumber schematic components without hand typing each refdes value. And... fix the mechanism whereby forwarding design changes would then mess the PCB up. This bug and its cause and a trivial solution have been discussed on the forum elsewhere. This would save weeks of wasted time.
2. Provide a means of correcting primitive style issues in component libraries - without having to open each and every component one at a time. Have described how this might work elsewhere. See http://www.numberone.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=492. This would save months of wasted time.
3. Provide a search and replace for styles and primitive attributes. E.g. Select all primitives of type xxxx and set attribute yyy to zzz. Would save massive amounts of needless repetition.
4. Make the act of deleting a single via on a track without taking out the entire track a simple process.
5. Implement means of displaying current tracking layer in its normal colour and all other tracking layers in a very dim layer as per here http://www.numberone.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=48 - would make tracking / dropping vias faster.
6. All instances of the grid data display forms to be equipped with an export to CSV AND a complementry re import CSV (so the CSV file must have a suitable key field as column 1 etc).
7. Fix or tame the auto-random select most inconvenient primitive function - which then leads to dragging said primitives all over the place. There is a similar issue when adding primitives to a selection group using control key. Ocassionally this causes the whole group to be duplicated - which is rarely what one had in mind. Also the N key doesn't seem to work properly when adding items to a selection group.
8. Improve the 3D model creation section so that the user can choose which drawing layer to base the extrusion upon. Most component silk screens are inappropriate for extrusion as they are not complete closed shapes. Such a setup would similarly improve the IDF export function which is currently not handling non closed shapes. Not sure the 3D functionality is currently very useful as it stands - IMHO.
9. Make Bus lines have a name so that when a bus is placed on a new schematic then the bus connectivity can be directly applied. I.e. a named bus created on sheet 1 can be drawn on sheet 2 directly. At the moment I copy a bus from sheet 1 onto sheet 2 and reshape it to avoid having to re-add all signals. This might then also fix the false error from DRC which occurs when signal enters bus on sheet 1 and leaves on sheet 2.
10. Make irregular shaped pads - made from copper shapes behave normally with respect to solder and paste masks.
11. Make numerical data entry fields be able to handle simple formulae and to handle unit conversion on the fly so if I have units set to inch allow an entry such as 25.4mm for 1.00 inch and E.g. instead of having to enter 1.65mm as a spacing by dividing 3.3mm by 2 (common when making footprints which are not conveniently dimensioned on datasheet) allow say =3.3/2mm. Or addition / subtraction e.g =3.3 - 1.623mm. It is a simple matter to parse the string and throw an error if formula isn't recognized. Simple formula only need be supported.
12. Provide a means whereby a selected group can have an insertion point selected after the primitives have been selected. This insertion point can then be on a grid. Currently I work round this by adding a new primitive to a selection group with a known relationship to the grid etc.
13. Improve Arc handling so that the reference point for the arc is at its centre. Currently dragging arcs/circles makes the ref point on the arc itself - which is rarely where one would want it. Add start angle, end angle, radius in arc properties.
14. Oh and I seem to remember there was some brief mention about library management needing a slight tweak here and there :-)
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2011 : 19:39:07
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FOR ME ..... THE LIBRARY STRUCTURE ---- Please
The library structure has never really been quite right... even after its revamp a few revs ago.
For myself who have to juggle with libraries generated by customers, that they have created themselves, plus my own and the optional libraries, it is an utter nightmare trying to do a simple task, such as copying and pasting in a component from one design to another.
If differnet libs are involved you need to enable/disable certain ones and since my libs come from other sources, you have to be careful for duplications of names etc. It really is a task.
Having all the info within the component would eliminate all this confusion, simply copy and paste, or just load from ONE single component library ... job done. Also when returning libraries to customers would only need one file .. not 3.
You obviously still need the schematic and footprint libraries to construct a component or add additional footprints to components, but once the component is constructed it should be one single entity, and not rely on information contained in other libraries at its point of use.
Being a long term user of EasyPC I can honestly say that the library structure as it is, is the only part of the tool that really lets it down badly. It would be interesting to see what others think, but a do think it would be a fantastic step forward for the product if this could be acheived.
Iain
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Edited by - Iain Wilkie on 11 Feb 2011 08:13:04 |
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robhardy
United Kingdom
55 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2011 : 12:04:03
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I would like some way to allow varrients in the build.
For example
I use one layout and either fit the a differnet value to the board or do not fit certain components.
Currently I use Easy PC to produce a parts list and then manualy change the components which are different.
I have make use of the librarys to add my own part numbers to each component I use.
This means for example each value resistor i use is a separate component. I make use of the alternate package to decide on the size eg 0603 0805 1206. Again each one of these packages effectively has its own part number added.
Rob Hardy |
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johnt
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 12:05:53
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Everything to do with libraries.
Make components easier to create.
Include import facilities for other applications components.
Its a bit painful to have to buy huge libraries only to find you still
have to design your own components. I really dont have time for that.
I want to do circuit design.
Most of the components I want tend to be available elsewhere but
there is no simple conversion method if any at all.
Perhaps some sort of agreement with manufacturers to provide EPC
components as they do for a few other systems when they release new chips etc?
Perhaps some method of public sharing of specific components too.
john
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2011 : 11:50:18
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quote:
Perhaps some method of public sharing of specific components too.
Superb idea, build up a community, co-operation, reuse of the work of others, all contributing to the general good, everyones life made easier.............
But.........
It would need a standardization of layers, drawing styles and all applicable conventions. EZPC is so ....erm .... flexible..... that significant work would always need to be done converting someone else's parts into your own way of drawing things.
I seem to remember this subject having been banged on about elsewhere. Though I deeply regret that data exchange is so problematic.
K
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johnt
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2011 : 13:03:15
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>> Though I deeply regret that data exchange is so problematic.
Computer software is problematic.
It just depends on whether you actually want to do it or not.
john |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2011 : 16:06:10
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Never really had much of a problem importing data from other users. Its relatively easy to alter/edit/delete layers and styles to match your own technology.
There will always be compromise in these things, but it wouldn't make it a show stopper.
Iain |
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johnt
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 12:01:26
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Ian - yes other users of EPC no problem. But still my last point above applies.
Right now (correct me if I'm wrong) we can "almost" import "some"
eagle components. Almost because even that doesn't work correctly.
All I'm suggesting is more effort in this area of conversion.
I believe it would be a show stopper - and I'd be willing to pay
for the feature whereas I'm not willing to buy vast libraries of stuff
just to get one or two things I may need someday. Frankly I believe they
should be provided with the program in the first place.
Also the current method of component design from scratch is - at best - clumsy and highly confusing. I've given up more than once and used eagle instead because it had all the components I needed freely available.
Components are key to the use of this application. Without them you can't even start.
I do think this could be a "show stopper" and a nail in a coffin eventually if ignored.
john
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remi
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 11:07:24
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I dont make a big deal of creating a component...
I just feel like it is faster to create one than to check the shared one is done properly
But I guess it is just a question of getting used to it.. |
Edited by - remi on 21 Feb 2011 11:08:55 |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 16:52:01
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I also have to say I think the component construction utility is very good ..... but again I have used it for years so it tends to be second nature.
Iain
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2011 : 11:29:21
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Some more improvements for version 15.
15. Currently each schematic of a multi sheet schematic project has its own design technology dialog which contains a list of nets, styles etc appropriate to that sheet. Make EZ have a single dialog (which is then applied to all schematics in a project) and allows control of all of the schematics from a single place.
If I have 20 schematics in a project and decide to rename a net (or whatever) I can do so by renaming the net in each and every design technology dialog (i.e. 20 times). Much better to have one place where all the nets are listed for the entire project - so I only have to do it once. Would save lots of time.
16. Frequently when cutting and pasting blocks etc I have the need to rename a net (to disconnect it from other circuitry). Using the change net dialog. Often I do not want to specifically name the net (so that it can be displayed) but would like the next available unique netname (e.g. N0104 etc). At the moment I have to go elsewhere to find out what the next unique netname would be. Fix - Add a button in the change net dialog to auto name with unique netname. Would save lots of time.
17. Improve deletion capability of lines and busses. Currently wires, lines and busses are treated as single entities. I frequently wish there was a means of cutting a wire or bus in two - i.e. delete a small section of it. Say draw a box round the offending section and have it delete the part of the line inside the box. Obviously there would be the need to rename the net on one end of the wire but that should not be too problematic.
18. Improve the selection of objects by drawing a box round things. Many CAD packages have the ability to have two modes of selection available. One where the selection box selects everything inside and crossing and another where objects are selected only if completely inside the selection box. These selection modes are indicated to the package by the direction one draws the selection box. E.g. Top to bottom selects one mode and bottom to top selects the other. This simple mod would add speed advantage if applied to EZPC. I am forever drawing selection boxes and then having to deselect objects using the CTRL key.
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Edited by - KevL on 23 Feb 2011 11:30:03 |
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davep
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2011 : 20:12:07
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New feature?:
Add a column in technology file 'Nets' to 'Display net name' - OR - Menu item 'Display all net names'.
Maybe with options to display at each end of net etc. |
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johnt
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2011 : 12:02:18
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Ease of use feature:
Pop up menu when right clicking on TAB at bottom of screen.
Ideally to close that tab (circuit/PCB layout etc). I dont know what else you could put on it but that would be handy.
Maybe access to tools - a calculator or maybe a manually drawn ruler
that snaps to objects to check dimensions.
Also - some means of poping up all values for an object/component - things seem a bit scattered across different menus with no central info - ideally that can be edited. Something to pull all the specs together on one screen.
I don't use the program heavily all day so intuitive ease of use (did you guess?) is particularly important to me. Anything that helps that is good.
Occasionally I want to change the point size of a font on the schematic -
I don't know if that can already be done for a specific component but I can't
find a way. I understand that maybe trickier than it first seems.
john
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remi
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2011 : 11:03:03
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And maybe the V15 will be able to answer this question by itself:
Do you want to add a via or add a corner?  |
Edited by - remi on 25 Feb 2011 11:03:46 |
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2011 : 11:16:08
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On the subject of addition of timesaving features associated with the project window
19. Add a button for open all schematics. Would save wear and tear on the mouse. Opening 20 schematics can take longer than would be hoped.
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2011 : 14:20:36
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From kzdev elsewhere an excellent suggestion.
quote:
Every time I make format to my computer, when install Easy PC, I start assign from the begining all the shortcuts. How can I store them in one file and load again when is necessary?
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remi
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2011 : 16:48:42
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I just had an idea for the libraries:
Why not using the exact same system as eagle?
The amount of library available is huge and I guess it is pretty well made |
Edited by - remi on 04 Mar 2011 16:51:45 |
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TheBFG
United Kingdom
61 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2011 : 08:26:21
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There are some great suggestions on here so far:-
Libraries
3D improvemnts (already good though)
Better integration across schematic scheets i.e. single set of settings
Here are my suggestions:-
1. I work a lot with high voltage and I generally design to BS EN 61010 which means I need to apply very specific creepage rules, which Easy PC doesn't handle particularly well (yet!), this could be improved by:-
B. Allow specific rules for net to net spacing i.e. a positive net to a negative net requires more creepage than either to GND.
B. Allow for different seperation rules for inner layers and outer layers
2. After completing component placement I hate seeing all the Ground nets for example in the ratsnest. It would be nice to be able to exclude certain nets from the ratsnest, since they may only require a via to a plane. (N.B. Mentor Expedition places a cross through the pad if it detects an appropriate power plane underneath - even if the plane is not yet poured)
3. A layer stack up calculator, i.e. copper thickness, prepreg thickness etc - useful to me when designing multi layer with high voltage between layers.
4. It would be nice if the project view somehow docked at the left hand side and allowed you to easily click different schematic pages. In addition the ability to click next / previous on schematic pages would be nice.
5. Being able to link to a datasheet from a component somehow would be great. |
Edited by - TheBFG on 11 Mar 2011 15:59:05 |
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2011 : 20:17:51
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quote:
2. After completing component placement I hate seeing all the Ground nets for example in the ratsnest. It would be nice to be able to exclude certain nets from the ratsnest, since they may only require a via to a plane. (N.B. Mentor Expedition places a cross through the pad if it detects an appropriate power plane underneath - even if the plane is not yet poured)
I think this is already do-able in EZ.
Try Design technology, nets dialog from PCB file. In it there is an option to suppress ratsnets display on a net by net basis. I use this and then choose a different colour for my gnd nets - e.g. green. Then all GND pads do not have the ratsnets but are easily identifiable. Unless I'm hallucinating .... again.
K |
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robhardy
United Kingdom
55 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 10:43:55
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it is also possible to link to a datasheet.
not necessarily easy to work out but it does work
create a value field "Datasheet"
in this field put in the path to your data sheet
in the design it is necessary to set this field as a hyperlink as follows
settings/design technology/value names
setting "Datasheet" to be a Hyperlink
if you right click the component and select execute hyperlink
you will open up the datasheet.
By the way I have created a "Dummy component", which has all the field names I use. This is copied in all the folders and I then can add new entries to the fields in the component grid rather than when editing the component. This way I ensure the spelling and case is exactly the same
Regards
Rob Hardy |
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chrisimarriott
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 17:29:28
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Hmmm new stuff for V15.
Just for starters....
1. Enable mouse scrolling and/or live scrolling with the vertical scroll bar.
Its a pain to keep letting of the button go to refresh the screen.
Also enable sorting the list like in windows by clicking on the attribute header. When looking for a particular Net in hundreds it would make it a lot easier.
2. Allow us to align objects of different types. When adding stubs and vias to power planes I like to align the SMT pad with its via to try and minimize small pieces of track being laid inside pads and vias, which brings me on to.....
3. When laying a track between 2 items that are centred exactly on one axis (X or Y) EasyPC always lays 2 sections of track, with a tiny one appearing inside a pad at one end. this sounds like its no big deal but it has caused strange behaviour in some of my designs.
When pouring a top copper plane an extra isolation gap is introduced in addition to the spacings settings.
This was investigated and confirmed as a bug in version 13 but would never happen if the 'extra bit' of track wasn't there in the first place!
Chris |
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TheBFG
United Kingdom
61 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 08:18:51
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| Thanks to Kev and Rob for two useful tips. |
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remi
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2011 : 10:56:16
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| Any date for the release? |
Edited by - remi on 24 Mar 2011 10:56:33 |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2011 : 19:39:18
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I think its usually June or July ..... I'll be praying to the library god every night till then !
Iain
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2011 : 10:52:27
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Oh, plenty of time to implement a few more improvements then....... :-)
How about this.
I think EZ editor has a major weakness when it comes to positioning primitives or collections of primitives - though maybe I'm missing a trick or two.
Frequently I have need to pick up a collection of primitives and places them with precision somewhere else. So I select a set of objects and then drag the group about. But the datum for this moving operation is ill defined. Consequently the placed group is not where I need it to be.
A particular example I have is when I import a DXF file from our mech dept. It shows board outline and has circles marking the positions of mounting screws etc.
How can I pick the board outline up and drop it in a new PCB file with a known relationship to the system grid???? My work around is as follows (no wonder my mouse is worn out and I have RSI)
1. Place a pad near one of the circles.
2. Select the circle and with the shape info dockable bar showing. This reveals the x and y coordinate of the centre of the circle.
3. Copy x coord of circle centre into pad x coord.
4. Copy y coord of circle centre into pad y coord.
5. Now pad moves and pad and circle are concentric
I can now move or cut and paste block and can position the pad on grid etc. Dragging a selection about with mouse on pad makes the pad snap to grid. Given pad is where I need it to be then so is mounting hole circle. I can also use this technique on lines etc. I.e. add a pad, move it to have a known relationship with objects in a group, move the group using pad as a datum. Sometimes I need to another pad on the target coordinates (i.e. where I want the block to end up) and then set the system origin temporarily at the second pad coords (so that the selected block can be mad to snap to exactly where I need it)
6. Delete datum pad.
7. Rest.
Surely there must be a better way. Anyone found one??????
If not maybe number one could consider adding a primitive called datum. It should work something like this. Select an object, menu command add datum. Up comes a dialog asking which parameter of the selected primitive the datum should base its coordinates upon. For circles I guess only the centre is appropriate, for lines I guess you have nearest end coord, middle of line, furthest end of line. Datum then inherits selected coordinate pair. Now when I move a block I should be able to drag the block by the datum (like I currently do with the pad). Would save hours methinks.
Might also add a means whereby a selected block can be translated by say 1mm up , 2.5mm etc.
This is such a basic peice of functionality it is very possible I'm being really dumb here - or unreasonably choosey about getting stuff in exactly the right place ???? :-)
K
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2011 : 11:17:31
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Hi Kev,
I also import from DXF but never go to all that bother ... I simply change the shape types to suit ... i.e the board outline becomes a board shape.... holes a simply zoom in and eyeball the pads on top of where the holes have to be. Maybe not as exactly precise but so damn close that it doesn't matter.
Iain
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KevL
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2011 : 11:52:17
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Hi Iain,
The DXF import thing is just an example of needing to move some primitives about. I agree it is a bother as you put it :-). But I think you'd agree it should be possible to move a block of primitives with complete certainty - it simply isn't at the moment - without the bother anyway.
You have taken the "near enough" approach. In practical terms that will usually be adequate. The only times it creates problems is during checking PCB output against mechanical 3d models. Checking routines report non concentric structures etc.
K
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johnt
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2011 : 14:40:57
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I just gave this a quick go (I think I need to do this myself shortly) - it seems if you select some components and group
them you can move them to a specific location using the properties pop-up
but it moves each component in the group rather than the group itself creating a nice little pile.
(Type in the co-ordinates over the [different] that appears on the pop-up to do this.)
I guess you'd have to have a feature to designate a component as the one to move dragging the others with it at their relative locations.
I did suggest (by email) this morning - to add a corel-draw style "nudge" feature - although I didn't have this in mind at the time.
That could allow you to drag a group on the grid then nudge it into position
as an alternatve implementation to absolute addressing.
john
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johnt
United Kingdom
52 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2011 : 18:43:37
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Further to my last Kev
I don't know if this helps but when you create a group
if you select a component within that group - right click
and select Type Co-ordinates - that component moves to the
position maintaining the group relative to it - as I 'wished' in my
previous post. So it seems this is different to the properties method.
(I still want to nudge though...)
john |
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Topic |
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Key features for V15?