Comments / Wishlist from a New User

One correction. First wish list item... parenthesis should read "(similar to break wire and drag wire in SCH mode)"

On Tue, 18 Oct 2011, A Wolfe wrote:

> - Break / Stretch end points of Drawing entities in PCB (similar to break wire and drag wire in PCB mode).

AKA a push/shove mode... in my wishlist too but no time to think about
how could be done, yet alone to *implement* it...

> - Copy Modules in PCB mode. This is a major. How do you easily create an array of your board? What if you want to copy a pad that you created as a ground plain connected via to easily make another via elsewhere in the ground plain? Basically adding mechanical parts that are not linked to the schematic are the main issue here.

In my experience arrays are not so useful in pratice (paneling is
another question, it's a CAM issue, not a CAD one), yet a duplicate
block *could* be somewhat useful.. there is the issue of what references
to use and so on; mechanical part (holes included) *should* be put in
the schematic, since they are functional (esp. grounding holes :D).
I have an hole symbol with a connection in it for these things...

You *could* add mechanical part using the 'Add module' tool but then
you'd have a mismatch with netlist (the 'add module' tool IMHO shouldn't
even exist!)

> - Allow drawing entities on the copper plain. You can throw a warning if you like, But why can't I create any design I want using the drawing tools?

Correct. It's an unnecessary limitation (altough the only things you
can't actually put on copper are arcs, in fact...). A warning should be
issued since (probably but maybe not) these could not be handled by DRC.

> - Be able to scale modules in the module editor. I wanted this to scale a logo. Sure I can work around it, but it would be very convenient to have a scale feature

Wishlist feature :D agree it can be useful one time or later.

> - A little more flexibility on the layers. Have more generic layers that can be named and used for anything needed. (eg. second color silkscreen, Carbon silkscreen for keypads, Plating layers, etc.)

At least now you can rename them:D the 'more layers' request pops up
some times and IIRC there was someone working on it.

> - Finally, the 3D view is cool, but to be really useful it would be perfect if it could be exported, or saved. Even if it was just in the Wings format. (Though 3DS format would be even better.)

It can be exported. Export as VRML. Load it in blender (100% tested
against it) and export in whatever format you want. No STEP sadly :(

--
Lorenzo Marcantonio
Logos Srl

- I think repeated copy value is important too. If i decided to change value of many R scattered in a board, it will be wasting time to click V and type modules by modules.

- Another useful and somewhat important is to highlight net in schematic. Just like in the pcb.

- I hope when highlight in the schematic, pcb track also highlighted too. But this is not too important.

- Also it may be useful to import drawing entities to library editor. For example, if you create mini board module (like vinculum by FTDI) and wants to add your own logo. But this is not too important.

- Last but not least. And most important from all. How I can tell the developers??

Almost forgot : Library browser / module browser in the manager. Also description on each library (unfortunately, library format will be changed)