kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Ben Kempke <bpkempke@xxxxxxxxx>]

Since this has gotten a lot of attention, I figured I'd share my
workarounds.

KiCad is missing a few features for good RF layout.  There are a few things
which I use frequently in other EDA tools which haven't been implemented
quite yet by KiCad.  Via stitching is one of them.  The methods mentioned
previously are certainly adequate, but it would be nice to see it more
integrated into KiCad's core functionality in the future.  This would allow
for better manipulation of stitching areas, rejection of vias which don't
pass DRC, etc.

In order to get around having the nets disappear, I added another status
flag (NET_LOCKED) which disables the code which manipulates the nets upon
refresh and effectively locks a via (or other track object) to a particular
net.  In addition to via stitching, I have workarounds for round trace
support, via shielding, and solder mask expansion around selected nets.  Of
course, since the NET_LOCKED flag isn't integrated in with KiCad, any
stitching vias which are loaded with a version of KiCad without NET_LOCKED
support will lose their nets, so via stitching and shielding would be
'use-at-your-own-risk'.

The advantage of doing via stitching this way is that vias which don't pass
DRC are automatically rejected, which was a big win for me.

The code:

Via stitching:
https://github.com/bpkempke/kicad-source-mirror/tree/zone_via_stitching
Via shielding:
https://github.com/bpkempke/kicad-source-mirror/tree/zone_via_shielding
Round traces:
https://github.com/bpkempke/kicad-source-mirror/tree/round_trace
Mask expansion:
https://github.com/bpkempke/kicad-source-mirror/tree/net_solder_clearance

Although I was planning on waiting until after the stable release to polish
these off and get additional input, I figured I'd share them here since
there still appears to be a lot of attention regarding this topic.
Hopefully they will be useful or at least provide some hints as to how
KiCad could implement more RF-centric functionality in the future.

I've attached a picture of a recent (simple) board which integrates all of
these patches.

-Ben

On Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 4:53 AM, Nick Østergaard <oe.nick@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> ... note the use of the array tools.
>
> 2015-07-30 10:51 GMT+02:00 Nick Østergaard <oe.nick@xxxxxxxxx>:
> > FWIW see, https://forum.kicad.info/t/protip-nicer-via-stitching/1103
> >
> > 2015-07-30 10:45 GMT+02:00 Mikk Leini <mikk.leini@xxxxxxxxx>:
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> Thanks to Wayne for a tip. I guess i found right post also about this
> >> script:
> >> https://lists.launchpad.net/kicad-developers/msg17819.html
> >>
> >> Yes, i agree script is good thing also but most of the times you need
> to do
> >> stitching manually. From manufacturing and electrical point of view
> it's not
> >> cheap and overkill to automatically add 300 vias when all you need is to
> >> stitch the edges of the board or sides of the HF traces. Massive
> stitching
> >> is needed usually when good heat conduction is required and then it's
> only
> >> around heat producing components.
> >>
> >> So the idea of implementing manual vias does not interfere with script.
> I
> >> uploaded a demo of what i have right now:
> >> https://youtu.be/c4uwaKJOkO4
> >>
> >> It doesn't need to go into main tree right now but it's so obvious
> feature
> >> missing from KiCad that it should be done one day soon. There are tools
> to
> >> draw circles, text and lines, so why shouldn't it be possible to add
> >> arbitrary holes or vias. Doing vias by footprints is a workaround and
> very
> >> inconvenient if you have many different sizes, plus footprint doesn't
> >> automatically get the netname. Stitching with traces and then removing
> >> traces is also like buying a whole dinner set when all you need is a
> knife.
> >>
> >> BR,
> >> Mikk
> >>
> >>
> >> 2015-07-30 10:11 GMT+03:00 easyw <easyw@xxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> >>>
> >>> Hi Torsten,
> >>>
> >>> I vote for that too :)
> >>> thanks
> >>> Maurice
> >>>
> >>> On 30/07/2015 00.12, "Torsten Hüter" wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Hi Mikk,
> >>>>
> >>>> I hope that I find this or next weekend some time to upload a recent
> >>>> version. I need to merge the actual KiCad code and have to do more
> testing.
> >>>> It's a tool to automate the stitching using the scripting window and
> also
> >>>> with a simple dialog, roughly inspired by Altium.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks,
> >>>> Torsten
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>> Hi Torsten,
> >>>>>   Yes, i have obviously missed that. I tried to search "via" in
> mailing
> >>>>> list but couldn't find a search button :/
> >>>>> Is it like some add-on tool to editor or some script with command
> line
> >>>>> arguments?
> >>>>> Can you share some link or demo?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>> BR,
> >>>>> Mikk
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>>
> >>>
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> >>
> >>
> >>
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>
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