kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Dick Hollenbeck <dick@...>]

Even though the Windows environment does not find it to be a universal 
install, I dare say that technologically, DBUS is the way to go.

In spite of Windows not always having it, DBUS would be a good way to 
marry the two software packages, giving complete access to any APIs 
within ether package without necessarily "merging" the designs or projects.

Besides, this then becomes an exercise in design and documentation of 
exposed APIs, rather than in coding and hacking. This was something 
that was going to have to happen for Python support anyway using SWIG or 
whatever. But this way we have the potential to kill two birds with one 
stone. A DBUS API will let an external Python process do what it wants, 
or a Java process, or a Qucs process, etc.

Dick

> Here is a mail i received from Michael.Margraf, who is the G.U.I. 
> designer of Qucs.
> This is an very exciting opportunity to build a powerful EDA.
>
> Michael.Margraf, ask me if the Kicad team is interested by a bridge 
> between Kicad and Qucs.
> I answer this was a *very very* good thing, and a major enhancement 
> for Kicad.
>
> Ideas and volunteers to work about this are needed.
>
>
> Michael.Margraf@... a écrit :
> > Hello,
> >
> >
> > > Fisrt it would be fine if this discussion is on kicad devel list.
> > > Volunteer could know what kind of work is needed.
> > > Can i send a copy of this mail to kicad devel list ?
> >
> > Yes, please do so!
> >
> >
> >
> > > import and export functions for KiCad and/or Qucs is the most important
> > > topic.
> > > This is what needs most of work and discussion.
> >
> > Yes, that's true. But for someone using it quite often, it is not very
> > userfriendly. Nonetheless, we can start with this.
> >
> >
> >
> > > Creating a new netlist format (from kicad to Qucs) is usually easy.
> > >
> > > Eeschema and Pcbnew use sockets to quickly exchange data.
> > > Perhaps this feature could be used also with Qucs.
> >
> > This sounds good! Can you tell me where to find this in the source code?
> > Then I can have a look on it.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Michael
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > Michael.Margraf@... a écrit :
> > >
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > that's great! I think we should start a discussion on how a connection
> > > > between KiCad and Qucs could look like.
> > > >
> > > > The following ways come to my mind:
> > > > - import and export functions for KiCad and/or Qucs
> > > > - make Qucs directly export KiCad netlist
> > > > - make KiCad directly start the Qucs simulation engine
> > > >
> > > > >From my point of view it would be most comfortable if Qucs can directly
> > > > call the PCB layout program. This way there are some features that KiCad
> > > > should be extended to.
> > > >
> > > > What is your opinion?
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > > Michael
> > > Fisrt it would be fine if this discussion is on kicad devel list.
> > > Volunteer could know what kind of work is needed.
> > > Can i send a copy of this mail to kicad devel list ?
> > >
> > > import and export functions for KiCad and/or Qucs is the most important
> > > topic.
> > > This is what needs most of work and discussion.
> > >
> > > Creating a new netlist format (from kicad to Qucs) is usually easy.
> > >
> > > Eeschema and Pcbnew use sockets to quickly exchange data.
> > > Perhaps this feature could be used also with Qucs.
> > >
> > > Reagards,
> > > JP.
> > >
> > > > > Michael.Margraf@... a écrit :
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > Hello again,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > thanks for your answer.
> > > > > > I am the GUI programmer of Qucs, but I was not active for a while.
> > > > > > I already thought about how to implement a bridge between KiCad and
> > > > > > Qucs.
> > > > > > So I wanted to ask you if you have time and interest to help in
> > > > > > realizing it?
> > > > > > And if you agree to take it into the official KiCad release?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Regards,
> > > > > > Michael
> > > > > I was thinking you are working on Qucs.
> > > > > Here are the responses to yours answers:
> > > > > I do not know if i have time to help this. (but i am *not* alone), but
> > > > > I
> > > > > do of my best.
> > > > > I *have* the interest to help in realizing it, and i believe this could
> > > > > be a major enhancement ok kicad.
> > > > > This is a feature asked by a lot of users, and i have students working
> > > > > on microwaves designs who need a simulator to do their boards.