kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 10/7/2012 7:20 PM, Craig Southeren wrote:
> 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 !

Craig,

It sounds interesting.  I may have some time to take a look at it.  Do 
you have a branch on Launchpad that I can check out and build?

> 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.

Scott wants to use it as a drafting aid when creating odd shaped board 
outlines.  I'm guessing that he wants to import something like a CAD 
drawing and use it as a template for creating the board outline.  I'm 
not sure why he would want to scale it if it is already an accurate 
image.  I agree with you assessment that an image manipulation tool such 
as the GIMP would be a much better choice.

Wayne

>     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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers
> > Post to     : kicad-developers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers
> > More help   : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp