kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Maciej Sumiński <maciej.suminski@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Jean-Pierre,

On 09/24/2015 01:53 PM, jp charras wrote:
> Orson,
>
> Could you have a look at these few issues:
> 
> - When the number of layers is increased (for instance from 2 to 4
> layers), the tracks drawn on the new layers (for instance usung the
> legacy mode) are not displayed in OpenGl mode , until the board is
> saved, Kicad closed and reopened.

I have tried to reproduce the problem, but I failed. This is what I did
(revision 6212):

1a) start in OpenGL canvas or
 b) start in legacy canvas
2) create a new board (2 layers by default)
3) use Layers Setup dialog to increase the number of layers to 4
4) switch to legacy canvas
5) draw a few tracks on inner layers
6) switch to OpenGL canvas, new tracks are visible

> - Microvias layers are incorrect: currently, it is created from the top
> to the bottom layer. This is incorrect.
> It can be discussed, but a microvia is usually created between 2
> adjacent layers, and in Pcbnew, it is restricted to an external layer to
> the near inner layer. Change it needs adding code in DRC and to manage
> uvia sizes and holes diameter depending on the number of layers and
> their thickness.
> And this option makes sense for microvias on pads, which are really
> restricted to the external layer to the near inner layer.

I have never used microvias before, so I should not argue about the
constraints. I see the described issue now, it will be fixed.

> - blind/buried vias cannot be inserted (always an error message).
>   When inserting a blind/buried via, the target layer choice should be
> shown (and/or the dialog to choose the layer pair should be accessible
> in GAL mode).
>   My preference is just show the target layer choice (see legacy mode).

There are two ways to insert vias in legacy mode:
- based on the currently selected layer pair (Layer Pair dialog)
- picking the target layer on every insert (as you mentioned)

At the moment GAL offers only the first method, but I agree the second
one seems to be more convenient. I will add it, but I guess it has to
wait until the stable release happens, so it can be merged.

What is the error message? I might be missing some information here.

> Remark: I like the way blind/buried vias are shown in GAL mode. Perhaps
> a similar way could be used for microvias ( which are in fact just
> blind/buried vias with a specific size)

Good point, it should not be very hard to modify.

Regards,
Orson

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