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davep

United Kingdom
101 Posts

Posted - 04 Feb 2012 :  20:45:04  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
To prevent atribute being set back to original default values you should tick the box 'Keep existing component attributes' before OK the update.

To have text that is on the part symbol, edit the component PCB symbol not a value in the part, OR , place free text on the PCB which is independant of the component.
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TheBFG

United Kingdom
61 Posts

Posted - 07 Feb 2012 :  09:08:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by davep

To prevent atribute being set back to original default values you should tick the box 'Keep existing component attributes' before OK the update.

To have text that is on the part symbol, edit the component PCB symbol not a value in the part, OR , place free text on the PCB which is independant of the component.



It's the attributes I'm trying to change by doing the update though. IIRC if I tick the box you talk about the "update" has no effect. I will double check that though.
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DavidM

United Kingdom
458 Posts

Posted - 07 Feb 2012 :  09:18:43  Show Profile  Visit DavidM's Homepage  Reply with Quote
You would need to untick the 'keep existing' checkbox to make it reload the values when you update the component, but I think we need an extra checkbox so that you can control whether or not to re-apply the positions of those attributes as well.

David.
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edrees

United Kingdom
779 Posts

Posted - 13 Feb 2012 :  12:18:53  Show Profile  Visit edrees's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Further to KevL regarding arcs & circles.

Copper cutouts cannot be applied to pads. I had a (rather unique) requirement to do this and the workaround is complex involving additional (resist) layers. Accept that this maybe a Gerber "flashing" issue.

Circles do not snap properly to a rectangular grid. So when working on a 1mm grid, radii are 0.43mm, then 1.43 then 2.43 etc.
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edrees

United Kingdom
779 Posts

Posted - 15 Feb 2012 :  16:36:19  Show Profile  Visit edrees's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Design Rule Checking.

This apparently doesn't check for components still left in the Component bin. Bit obvious I know, (until you thought the bin was empty and then you've later dropped something back in there and forgotten about it). DRC and Integrity check both miss this potential error.
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636steve

United Kingdom
14 Posts

Posted - 15 Feb 2012 :  20:05:44  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
In schematic editor, when you right click on a net and select change net it trys to join the existing net and the new net together. Surely if it is change net it should just change the net.

Only way I have found is to delete the connection, redraw it and then add it to the correct net. Or am I missing something?
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edrees

United Kingdom
779 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2012 :  09:27:39  Show Profile  Visit edrees's Homepage  Reply with Quote
636STEVE. If the nets are joined by wire, then this is whay you would expect. If the nets are "named" but not joined by wire then make sure you tick the box for "Change name of sub net only".
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Iain Wilkie

United Kingdom
1015 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2012 :  10:25:17  Show Profile  Visit Iain Wilkie's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by edrees

Design Rule Checking.

This apparently doesn't check for components still left in the Component bin. Bit obvious I know, (until you thought the bin was empty and then you've later dropped something back in there and forgotten about it). DRC and Integrity check both miss this potential error.



Confirmed ..... this does need to be put right, its caught me out in the past, you think you have everything placed and connected an suddenly you find another component/s need to be squeezed in !!!

Iain
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davep

United Kingdom
101 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2012 :  15:30:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
An option to 'check for unplaced components' would be better.
I often have parts which I require on the circuit for documentation purposes but are not placed on the artwork (transformers, fuse, panel pots etc). I prefer a clean DRC report.
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edrees

United Kingdom
779 Posts

Posted - 16 Feb 2012 :  16:03:03  Show Profile  Visit edrees's Homepage  Reply with Quote
DaveP

'check for unplaced components' would be better.

Sorry, I disagree.

The default should be to check everything. Parts not fitted to the pcb can be signed off as "accepted errors"
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shuttlem

United Kingdom
13 Posts

Posted - 15 Mar 2012 :  14:51:55  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
A few things I would like to see, some of which have been touched on elsewhere in this forum...

1) I would like to be able to change a component's package without having the values change (perhaps have a 'change...' button next to 'package' on the component properties page, which would leave defined values alone, change the package and add any new values that come with the new package, or at least allow you to choose which values remain unmolested).

2) I would like to be able to display the shown values for a component in a horizontal line (space or comma separated) rather than under each other, or even be able to move them independently.

3) I would like to have a 3D model for an axial component that has been mounted vertically eg a resistor. This can be achieved to some extent using a can and offsetting it above a pad, increasing the legs so that they protude through the top of the can. If the can shape could have an option for linking the two legs (like an axial component's legs do), I could complete the illusion. If the can could also have its stripe radially rather than longitudinally (and colour coded as with axial resistors) and also have rounded ends, I would be a very happy bunny.

4) I would like text callouts to have a style to not only allow the settings that their property sheet reveals to be predetermined, but also to have a hide/show property so that you could create styles for say 'node voltages', 'Farnell/RS part numbers', 'things to do', 'calculations', 'hyperlinks/file references', 'PCB layout notes', etc, etc and then show/hide them as relevant for printouts for various purposes without them getting too busy.

5) When joining nets in PCB, when the dialogue comes up to tell you that the nets would be joined, rather than dictating what the resultant net will be called it would be good if there was a dropdown allowing you to choose which of the names of the two nets should be used.

Apologies if I've missed the obvious with any of these, I know some of them have workarounds, but usually not particularly pretty ones.

Mark
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jlawton

United Kingdom
108 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2012 :  12:27:38  Show Profile  Visit jlawton's Homepage  Reply with Quote
A couple of things regarding component 'values'.

Firstly the display of component values on the schematic - it would be nice to be able to change the position of items as previous poster requested, maybe with UP/DOWN order buttons, as presently depends on the order values are added/entered.

Secondly, could project components be exported AND imported as a CSV file so values could be edited in spreadsheet program. This would save a LOT of tedious work entering values in a schematic design and allow use of an in-house database of components with manufacturer and supplier codes etc. This would be most helpful. It could possibly be part of the reporting BOM function, or the Library function.

John Lawton Electronics
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DavidM

United Kingdom
458 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2012 :  12:43:51  Show Profile  Visit DavidM's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Component value order can already be specified in the component definition itself, there are Up/Down buttons there on the Values page in the Properties dialog. You can't do it within the Schematic design itself on individual component instances though.

As for using CSV for component values, you can already do this from Settings, Component Values, there are Export and Import buttons on this dialog that would seem to do what you require.

David
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jlawton

United Kingdom
108 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2012 :  13:17:19  Show Profile  Visit jlawton's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Thanks for you assistance, I wish I had known before of the component values function!
quote:
Component value order can already be specified in the component definition itself, there are Up/Down buttons there on the Values page in the Properties dialog

Thanks, but can't find this. Should I be in schematic, Layout, Libraries or where?



John Lawton Electronics
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DavidM

United Kingdom
458 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2012 :  13:21:36  Show Profile  Visit DavidM's Homepage  Reply with Quote
If you open any Component for editing (either from the Components tab of the Libraries dialog, or by right-clicking on one in a design and doing Edit Component In Library), you should be able to go to Properties from the View menu and find the buttons on the Values tab.

David

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jlawton

United Kingdom
108 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2012 :  13:40:52  Show Profile  Visit jlawton's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Thanks David,

it looks like I will have to do a lot of component editing in the library to add these values to components.

Regards,

John

John Lawton Electronics
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R.Redding

United Kingdom
18 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2012 :  19:09:29  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I would like to add a pcb layout to a schematic block ..

I tend to use the same mcu's and it would be nice to create a schematic block for all the anciliary components and include a pcb footprint for that block aswell ..

so if I select a block to add to the schematic..the pcb layout is forwarded to the pcb in much the same way as a library component.

Having used Easy PC since 92 ...its one of the few programs that Ive used over that time that is very difficult/impossible to coerce into making sub assembly layouts...
Mainly because of the pads only subset of drawing tools..

Rob


Rob

Edited by - R.Redding on 27 Apr 2012 14:16:14
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Iain Wilkie

United Kingdom
1015 Posts

Posted - 28 Apr 2012 :  10:25:05  Show Profile  Visit Iain Wilkie's Homepage  Reply with Quote
You could create the block as a normal schematic/PCB layout and then simply copy and paste the schematic part and the pcb part into your new layout. However you would need to do this first as there may be net name conflicts.

Iain
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hodali

Germany
148 Posts

Posted - 30 May 2012 :  20:06:35  Show Profile  Visit hodali's Homepage  Reply with Quote
1) It would be nice if it is possible to change the length of a track segment by filling in the properties dialog box (right click on the track and choose properties).

2) Design variants is also a useful feature

3) Backward annotation is missing. Eagle has backward annotation. Why not Easy-PC ?

4) Autoplacer

5) EMC lab


Edited by - hodali on 02 Jun 2012 05:54:02
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toni9999

United Kingdom
39 Posts

Posted - 22 Jun 2012 :  10:01:46  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Small thing but when using dual monitors save all only saves the screen you select save all from

i.e. if you click file then save all in the SCM window it only saves the schematics.

The save is true in the PCB window.

Would be nice if save all saved both.
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edrees

United Kingdom
779 Posts

Posted - 22 Jun 2012 :  13:17:15  Show Profile  Visit edrees's Homepage  Reply with Quote

quote:
Originally posted by edrees

Design Rule Checking.

This apparently doesn't check for components still left in the Component bin. Bit obvious I know, (until you thought the bin was empty and then you've later dropped something back in there and forgotten about it). DRC and Integrity check both miss this potential error.


Confirmed ..... this does need to be put right, its caught me out in the past, you think you have everything placed and connected an suddenly you find another component/s need to be squeezed in !!!

Iain



This has just caught me out again! Grrrrrrrrrr!
Hope this gets sorted in V16 please!
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robhardy

United Kingdom
55 Posts

Posted - 22 Jun 2012 :  13:21:32  Show Profile  Visit robhardy's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I also have been caught out by this, it realy needs to be put right.

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DavidM

United Kingdom
458 Posts

Posted - 22 Jun 2012 :  14:23:42  Show Profile  Visit DavidM's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I know it breaks the rules I've just written about in another post, about not talking about what is coming in the new release, but...

I can confirm that this will indeed be sorted for V16. If you enable spacing check of Board and Components, you will get an error marker at lower left corner of board for each comp that is in the bin.

David
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jlawton

United Kingdom
108 Posts

Posted - 22 Jun 2012 :  14:58:22  Show Profile  Visit jlawton's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by DavidM

I know it breaks the rules I've just written about in another post, about not talking about what is coming in the new release, but...



Hi David,

any news on adding the option for individual pads of with/without thermal reliefs to the the copper pour. You said that were going to consider this for a feature? http://www.numberone.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=530

I'm won't tell :)

John

John Lawton Electronics
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DavidM

United Kingdom
458 Posts

Posted - 22 Jun 2012 :  15:04:10  Show Profile  Visit DavidM's Homepage  Reply with Quote
John,

If you promise to keep it secret between just you and me....

Yes, we've fixed this for V16.

David
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jlawton

United Kingdom
108 Posts

Posted - 22 Jun 2012 :  15:17:29  Show Profile  Visit jlawton's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by DavidM

John,

If you promise to keep it secret between just you and me....

xxxxxxx




Well that's a few guaranteed sales then, many thanks.

John

John Lawton Electronics
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toni9999

United Kingdom
39 Posts

Posted - 25 Jun 2012 :  12:21:42  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Would be nice if when Easy PC is opened from the start menu it didn't try to open the last project / files it had opened. Or this was a tick box option in the settings.

This is very annoying if you have multiple people working on the same PCB for different reasons (i.e checking the design) and then you try to do something else as EasyPC hangs trying to open the file the other user is currently using.

T
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toni9999

United Kingdom
39 Posts

Posted - 29 Jun 2012 :  08:37:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Looking at Eagle and possibly trying to steal some ideas from that.

The auto placement of vias whilst placing tracks looks like it could be useful. i.e. you draw a track and the package automatically places vias where you cross another track on the same layer.

Another feature that looks even better in my opinion is the DRC check which shows you images of the error instead of trying to work it out.

See the guided tour on the eagle site for these features.

http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/guided-tour/?language=en

Another thing which i find extremely annoying about the DRC is component clashes. EasyPC things two components clash due to it squaring the irregular shape

___
|__|_
|____|
|__|

___
|__|
|__|
|__|


In the example above if you had a component of the shape on the top EasyPC would make the shape like on the bottom for its DRC.

This means if you try and place components in the two cut out sections you get lots of errors which i don't think are genuine.

T
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toni9999

United Kingdom
39 Posts

Posted - 02 Jul 2012 :  15:58:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Would be nice if you could give a bus a name and wherever you use a bus and call it that name it automatically adds the nets which are defined for that bus.

We currently get lots of errors if a bus has even a single net different on different sheet the schematic DRC says that the net is only connected once to a bus.

Example

Bus on sheet 1
aaa
bbb
ccc
ddd
eee

Bus on sheet 2
aaa
bbb
ccc
ddd
eee
zzz

Even if zzz is not used all the other nets have an error from the DRC saying that they are only connected once to a bus.

Which is not true just a signal was deleted etc.

T
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toni9999

United Kingdom
39 Posts

Posted - 02 Jul 2012 :  16:01:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Would be nice if the back and forward button of a mouse allowed you to move between open sheets in your project i.e. the pages in the tab bar at the bottom of the EasyPC window.

T
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