1. Cuttings and pasting symbols in schematics if the symbols are members of a group causes a proliferation of groups. E.g. If one copies a say +5V(D) power symbol from a group called PSUA then the copied symbol becomes the sole member of a new group PSUB. This is rarely useful behavior (and thats being generous). Groups are a really useful feature - it is a shame this power is ruined by this behavior. Proper trouble free operation of cutting and pasting is an essential function for any editor IMHO.
2. Removing items from groups is tedious. The only way I have found of doing it is to select an item in the group using the GOTO bar and then use the groups/un-group function. When one has copied multiple power port symbols etc or decoupling caps about the place and (due to bug 1.) this has to be repeated multiple times then time is wasted. Maybe add a means of listing members of groups (maybe in the design technology dialog) to allow this powerful function to work well.
3. Orphaned group entries. Groups can be listed in schematic which have no apparent members. Can't be removed by any obvious means. Fix as per 2 might help or maybe just a function to directly remove a named group from the design.
3. Pattern copying in PCB is in need of serious attention. It is very easy to cause it to crash to desktop. Often when on has a group then copies of the group might be extremely close copies but might have had the odd symbol change. Currently if one tries to use the apply layout pattern process on ALMOST identical blocks then a hard crash results. Robustness (defensive programming could easily fix this.) E.g. Run a check of the two groups and leave out of the copied pattern any footprints which are not identical. Or if that is too much trouble trap the fact that blocks are not suitable for pattern copying and throw an error message listing objections etc. Crashing to desktop as indication of error is a tad extreme.
4. The fine goto bar can be improved by allowing the tool to selectively display items in the whole project. Some items allow this already (e.g. components) whereas as some things are displayed only on a sheet by sheet basis. Why limit the display scope? Make the tool display all searchable items either across whole project or sheet by sheet as required by user.
5. Just noticed this. ..... When one has deleted tons of unwanted groups from a set of schematics then forward design changes does NOT remove the unwanted groups from the PCB file. Surely it should????? Forward design changes dialog claims that the designs are identical when this is clearly not the case.
Couple of bugs (features to be improved)
Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 10:57:20
