kicad-developers team mailing list archive

["Alain M." <alainm@...>]

Dick Hollenbeck escreveu:
> Lorenzo Farina wrote:
> > Hello. I'm trying to add wxAUI and Art support to Kicad (eeschema & 
> > pcbnew). This will be time-consuming, but I hope snapping toolbars 
> > (and, next, internal frames) could make interface mutch more simple. 
> > I'm actually working on complete menus, this means that (as every MS 
> > application),
>
> Hi Lorenzo,
> Welcome to Kicad developer's list. Your ideas are fairly ambitious.

For what it is worth, my opinion:

1) SDI for programs like kicad is better. That is not universal, but in 
a program that does things so complex as kicad, it allows me to use OS 
resources (like multiple desktops and/or monitors) to manage my job.

2) IMHO the discussion about menu versus icon id beside the point. What 
*is important" is discussing configurable menus/toolbars and specially 
MACROS and/or shortcuts. I have seen that something has been done in 
that regard...

I am an old time user of orcad/tango in DOS, both have macros and I used 
it a lot... (FWIM orcad/sdt had better macros, an excelent template to copy)

Cheers,
Alain

> One statement you made caught my attenion:
>
> > every toolbar command should be found also on menus.
>
>
> You have stated it like everyone shares your opinion on the matter. And 
> I question that, because if it were true, I think the menus would 
> already be so populated. Also, there should be some discussion on the 
> suitability of MDI vs. SDI (single document interface) for these 2 
> programs if you are planning on going towards MDI.
>
> I spent the last 8 years writing an unrelated software application which 
> uses SDI and icons with tooltips and NO menus. So when I found that 
> Kicad used a similar philosophy as my work product, I was pleasantly 
> surprised. Multiple ways of doing the same thing comes at some cost. 
> Just because Microsoft made some decisions 20 years ago, does not mean 
> that we all have to be stuck with those decisions for eternity. 
> Tooltip enhanced icons, vs. menus, is all a matter of personal preference.
>
> It might be prudent to do a user poll before you spend time on some of 
> these issues, or maybe write up a two page summary of what you are 
> thinking about and get some feedback on it.
>
> This is one topic which is not specific to developers but rather could 
> be appropriate for a wider forum of feedback on a proposal.
>
> Work which simply rearranges the dashboard may not be as appreciated as 
> work which adds new functionality.
>
> Some of my initial thoughts only....
>
> In any case we welcome your exchange of ideas and creative input. 
> Clearly creativity can be useful here, and it looks like you have it to 
> share.
>
>
> Dick
>
> > This is because a lot of functions cannot be understood by new users 
> > simply watching icons, and changes could give a standard interface. 
> > I'm very interested in development of Kicad, witch is actually THE 
> > best GPL schematic and PCB drawing. However, threre are a few things 
> > that needs to be changed before massive use. One of the most 
> > importants is the wire-snap-to-pin facility. Is there anyone who is 
> > working on that?
> > Thanks.
>
>
>
>
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