kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Craig Southeren <craigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wayne,

I've implemented a bitmap "underlay" feature that I am using for tracing 
the tracks on
vintage PCB boards. This displays a high resolution, full colour bitmap 
under all of the
board layers that can be used to align tracks, components or mechanical 
requirements.

I have a few UI tweaks to finish it off, and I cannot yet save/load the 
bitmap info, but the
code is working. I've tested it on both Linux and Windows.

I'm hoping to have patches against the latest Kicad code available this 
week. I'd love some
feedback !

I've implemented bitmap scaling, but the same factor applies to both X 
and Y.

Do you know why Scott wants independent scaling? Like rotation, I
think this would better done outside Kicad, say in Gimp, where the tools 
are much
more refined.

   Craig


On 8/10/2012 8:07 AM, Wayne Stambaugh wrote:
> I just received and responded to the the email below.  It doesn't 
> happen as often as it should but every once in a while someone gives 
> the KiCad developers thanks for doing a good job.  So for all of you 
> hunched over your keyboards trying to make KiCad better with each and 
> every commit, thanks you deserve it.
>
> If you have any comments or suggestions regarding my response to 
> Scott's request, please feel free to let me know what you think.
>
> Wayne
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: KiCad suggestion
> Date: Sun, 07 Oct 2012 16:55:47 -0400
> From: Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: Scott Alcock <essaysoftware@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> On 10/7/2012 2:36 PM, Scott Alcock wrote:
> > Wayne,
> >
> > I have a suggestion for KiCad's PCB layout software. Would it be
> > possible to add an
> > image to a layer in the PCB layout, something like a PNG, with 
> > independent X
> > and Y scaling.
>
> When you say add an image to a layer do you mean layers that get
> translated into gerbers for photoplotting o or are talking about one of
> the documentation layers that are typically used for notes?  The reason
> I ask is that it would be difficult to translate an image into an
> accurate representation as a gerber file.  There is already a utility
> Bitmap2Component that converts images to schematic or board syntax.
> Have you given that a try?
>
> > This would be very helpful for drawing board outlines to fit cases with
> > odd geometries.
>
> I already have defined images in s-expression format for the next
> version of the schematic file format so it shouldn't be terribly
> difficult to use the same syntax in the board file.  However, there is
> currently no code in Pcbnew to render or to add images.  Adding the
> image file syntax to the board file is fairly trivial.  Adding the image
> rendering and editing code may take a while.
>
> > Just a though.
>
> I think it's a reasonable idea and if memory serves this may have been
> discussed on the developers list in the past.  I will forward the
> suggestion to the developer mailing list for input since I'm not the
> only developer this change would effect.
>
> > Lastly, KiCad has come a long way in the last few years, let the group
> > know it's excellent !
>
> Thanks!  Will do.  We keep chipping away at it.  KiCad keeps getting
> better and better.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Wayne
>
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Scott Alcock
> >
> >
> > --
> > Scott Alcock
> > 116 Countryside Drive
> > Rockton, Il 61072
> > 815-608-0447
>
>
>
>
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--

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 Craig Southeren          Post Increment – VoIP Consulting and Software
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