kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 9/18/2014 4:42 PM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> 
>> From: Tomasz Wlostowski <tomasz.wlostowski@xxxxxxx>
>> To: Kicad Developers <kicad-developers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Cc: 
>> Sent: Friday, September 19, 2014 2:04 AM
>> Subject: [Kicad-developers] P&S plans for the near future
>>
> [snip]
>> I'd also like to add support for arcs on copper layers (for efficient 
>> representation of miters/meanders). Contrary to the current graphical 
>> arc object, I'd propose to approximate them using line segments (and 
>> store as such approximations) so that there's no need to add full arc 
>> support (for plotter/DRC/etc). What do you think?
>>
> 
> 
> Hi Tom,
> 
>  For the arcs I think ideally we should use real arcs; if line segments
> are used then we need to be able to specify some dimensional constraint
> so that the arcs appear smooth. It's only a wishlist item though since
> the DRC around arcs would be a challenge. One potential issue of using
> line segments is that a design can end up with very many segments in a
> single arc and these segments can be accidentally dragged or deleted.
> 
> - Cirilo
> 

At some point we should consider supporting arcs but from what I
understand implementing arc support in gerber files is very difficult.
Although I haven't really looked at it.  I'm just going by what I have
heard discussed in the past.  That probably should be added to the road
map as something to support after the stable release unless someone is
feeling really ambitious.

Wayne