kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Simon Küppers <Simon.Kueppers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Fabrizio,

> I spend long hours doing schematics at work and I love the idea of
> implementing python stuff that could make my life easier. Specifically
> I spend a long time in library component generation and I would love
> to do something about it. This could be done by creating new python
> (or non python) tools to import component info or to created tools to
> facilitate the contribution to the quality (and size) of the kicad
> lib. Not really sure what is best.

With regard to library generation I think the footprint generator is a 
good example
of what even a "standard" user can achieve with available python 
scripting support.
Imagine one wants to quickly add pin headers with N pins where N ranges 
from 4 to 64.

> Python scripts could be attached to F1, F2 and F3 general-purpose
> buttons.

I did not check specifically, but I read somewhere that KiCad has 
something like a
central point where shortcuts are set up right? In this case, executing 
a python script
with a given name could be just another entry in this central 
configuration. This would
allow maximum flexibility.

However, you remind me of another thing and that is something like 
function call hooks.
It would be really cool to have something like a python script that 
registers callback
functions that are hooked to "pick up trace" and "drop trace" for 
example. Now with
respect to the Via Fence generator and some clever coding, this could 
allow moving
a trace with online rebuilding of the Via Fence when the trace is 
released again
after moving. Just an idea!

> This people
> would probably make kicad better. This would be classified as "kicad
> user harvesting via python scripting for library component creation "
> ;-) a topic I always wanted to talk about on this mailing list.

I second that. Could be really powerful to the overall development of 
the KiCad Software

Best Regards
Simon