On Sep 4, 2010, at 4:50 PM, Ethan Swint wrote:
> In parallel to how we want to implement the PCB file format, why don't we
> have a separate thread on *what* we want to implement? I'll propose the
> following as a starting point:
>
> 1) Better angle support: include rotation (in degrees, rotation/translation
> matrix, whatever) as a location argument instead of altering the
> pad/pin/silk/refdes/whatever location data separately
> 2) Footprint re-use: reduce file size by having components refer to a 'base'
> component with XYRS information, make component tweaking easier. Say you
> wanted to change all your 0603 resistors - it's easier to change the
> fundamental component, rather than the present case of to modifying
> individual components in all of their rotations.
> 3) Connectivity information: include the connection information between line
> segments, similar to (but not necessarily exactly!) SVG format, where
> multiple points and arcs can be included in one line.
> 4) DRC re-use: refer to a 'base' DRC rule, rather than re-describing the DRC
> at every instance. DRC rules could be arbitrarily complex or simple, e.g.
> elements in DRC class '250V' must have a 0.050" clearance from class '5V',
> but can have 0.010" clearance within '250V', or something along the lines of
> the 'skinny, normal, fat, power' we have in place now.
> 5) Ability to lock any portion of the location coordinate, either in absolute
> or relative to another entity (line segment locked to pin/pad, components
> locked to the same Y coordinate, etc) - rather than just specifying an
> absolute coordinate.
>
> We might not be able to use this flexibility until PCB's internals are
> modified, but the ability will be there, waiting to be tapped.
>
I think that we should start from a bit lower level an include discussions of
wishes for footprint file format as well, because currently footprints are a
pcb file snippet.
Desires for PCB footprints:
True solder and paste mask layers. (could be converted to pads with no copper
and the proper mask clearances set in the current PCB data structures)
keepouts:
- Mechanical: no components in these places.
- Electrical:
- No surface copper. (housings, connectors)
- No internal copper. (antennas)
Alignment points:
- board edges
- board slots
- mating connector alignments
glue/potting/underfill points.
Any other thoughts?
Steve
>
> _______________________________________________
> geda-user mailing list
> geda-user@moria.seul.org
> http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
_______________________________________________
geda-user mailing list
geda-user@moria.seul.org
http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
