1 ==============================================
2 'gschem and Friends' Electronic Design Suite
3 ==============================================
5 Copyright (C) 1998-2011 gEDA Developers
7 This file documents important user-visible changes in gEDA/gaf. For
8 more information, please consult the `ChangeLog' file.
10 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.7.2
11 =================================
13 * `geda-gaf' now requires GTK+ 2.16.0 or later.
15 * A greatly expanded Scheme API has been added to gEDA/gaf for use by
16 extension authors. See the `geda-scheme' Info manual for more
17 details. Existing extensions may need to be modified to load the
18 `(geda deprecated)' or `(gschem deprecated)' modules.
20 * The `component-library-search' function for `gafrc' files now skips
21 directories without symbols, and searches for libraries recursively.
23 * `gschem' keybinding improvements:
25 - Keybindings are now unaffected by Caps Lock.
27 - Keystrokes are displayed using the same characters as on keycaps
28 (e.g. `:' instead of `colon').
30 - Keystrokes may use extended modifiers (Super, Hyper and Meta).
32 - Key bindings can be modified in any rc file or interactively using
33 the `global-set-key' function. See notes in `system-gschemrc' for
36 * `gschem' now displays help files and component documentation on all
37 platforms, including Windows. The `locate' tool is no longer used
38 to search for component documentation files.
40 * The `schdiff' tool for generating visual diffs of schematics and
41 symbols has been added. It can be used with most version control
42 systems. See `man schdiff' for more details.
44 * The `bom' and `bom2' backends to `gnetlist' now give error messages
45 if no attribute file can be found. The `-O attrib_file=FILE' and
46 `-O attribs=ATTRIB,ATTRIB...' options have also been added.
48 * A new `ewnet' backend has been added to `gnetlist'. This outputs
49 netlists for use with the National Instruments ULTIboard layout
52 * The `verilog' backend to `gnetlist' now supports concatenated net
53 naming like "{a,b,c[3:0]}".
55 * `gsch2pcb' no longer supports the `m4_command' parameter in project
58 * The `--m4-pcbdir' and `--m4-file' arguments to `gsch2pcb' now work
61 * `gsymfix.pl' has been renamed to `gsymfix'.
63 * Man pages are now available for all programs installed as part of
66 * The undocumented programs `gnet_hier_verilog', `gsymupdate', `gschupdate'
67 and `sch2eaglepos.sh' are no longer installed to ${prefix}/bin.
69 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.7.1
70 =================================
72 * gEDA is now compatible with Guile 2.0.
74 * gEDA/gaf applications no longer complain when trying to load an rc
75 file twice, or when an rc file doesn't exist.
77 * `gschem' allows objects to be moved by dragging without having to
80 * `gschem' now supports keybindings with more than one modifier key,
81 and "Deselect" is bound to <Control Shift A> by default.
83 * `gnetlist' correctly handles multiple renames of the same net. This
84 resolves some long-standing bugs with multipage schematics.
86 * The `spice-sdb' backend for `gnetlist' now has built-in support for
87 `SUBCKT_NMOS' and `SUBCKT_PMOS' devices.
89 * A new `makedepend' backend has been added to `gnetlist'. It
90 generates Makefile code for SPICE simulation dependencies.
92 * Visibility of embedded component attributes are now preserved by
95 * `gsch2pcb' correctly handles footprint names with hyphens (`-').
97 * `gsch2pcb' project files support quoting and escaping in
100 * Considerable enhancements to Unicode support when printing
101 schematics or exporting PostScript.
103 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.7.0
104 =================================
106 * All gEDA/gaf applications now handle configuration files much more
107 strictly, and provide much more useful feedback when an error
110 * Several changes to `gschem' command-line options:
112 - The `-t' option is no longer supported.
114 - Several command-line options now support a long-form alternative.
116 - The `-s' option can now be used to run multiple Scheme scripts
117 during `gschem' startup.
119 - A new `-c' option is available, which runs a Scheme expression
120 during `gschem' startup.
122 - A new `-L' option is available, which adds a directory to the
125 - A new `-V' or `--version' option is available, which displays
128 * `gschem' now provides a "Select All" function, which is bound to
129 <Control a> by default, along with a corresponding "Deselect"
132 * In the `gschem' "Add component" dialog, filtering the component
133 library will expand matching libraries. If the filter is cancelled,
134 all libraries are collapsed. Components can now be selected by
135 double-clicking on them in the component list.
137 * The `gschem' "Edit Text Properties" dialog now has an easier to use
140 * Printed text size now better matches on-screen text size in
143 * Special characters, including commas, are now escaped or quoted
144 appropriately in `gattrib' CSV output.
146 * Several changes to `gnetlist' command-line options:
148 - Four command-line options specific to the `spice-sdb' backend have
149 been removed. They can be replaced with `-O <option>' according
150 to the following table:
152 -e, --embedd -O embedd_mode
153 -I, --include -O include_mode
154 -n, --nomunge -O nomunge_mode
155 -s, --sort -O sort_mode
157 - The list of available backends is now obtained using a new
158 `--list-backends' option. `-g help' no longer outputs a list of
161 - A new `-L' option is available, which adds a directory to the
164 - A new `-V' or `--version' option is available, which displays
167 - When run with invalid command-line arguments, `gnetlist' now exits
168 with non-zero exit status.
170 * Several `gnetlist' backends have now been fixed so that it should no
171 longer be necessary to set an expanded Guile stack in gEDA's config
174 * The `spice-sdb' backend for `gnetlist' now supports probes
175 (`TESTPOINT' devices).
177 * The undocumented `mk_verilog_syms' program is no longer installed.
178 The symbols it creates are still installed to
179 `${prefix}/share/gEDA/sym/verilog'.
181 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.6.2
182 =================================
184 * PNG export from `gschem' will now be cropped correctly.
186 * The `partlist' backends for `gnetlist' now handle hierarchical
189 * On Windows, `gschem' and `gattrib' will no longer launch with a
190 command window visible.
192 * `gnetlist-arg' is no longer valid in `gsch2pcb' project files.
194 Several other bugs were fixed, including a major crash bug in
197 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.6.1
198 =================================
200 * Added accelerator mnemonics for root menus in gschem
202 * Lots of updated and new language translations in libgeda, gschem, and
203 gattrib. (Courtesy of language translators and Launchpad)
205 * Updated the shipped documentation from the official gEDA wiki
207 * Fixed the following bugs:
209 - 2876373: Fix rendering with zoomed out dashed lines
210 - 2901183: Fix for some manpage issues
211 - 2904715: Don't update page connectivity from o_place_rotate()
212 - 2949232: Fix slot editing routines to not edit inherited attributes
213 - Cherry picked some other bug fixes from master that should be in
216 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.6.0
217 =================================
219 * Fixed the GtkItemEntry code inside of gattrib code so that it builds
222 * In gschem, rubberband pin to pin connections by adding nets.
224 * Cleanup of the slot handling code in libgeda.
226 * Fixes/updates to the MinGW port.
228 * Updated the shipped documentation from the online wiki.
230 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.3/1.5.4
231 =======================================
233 * NOTE: gEDA/gaf 1.5.3 was released with some critical bugs, so
234 it was withdrawn before it was widely distributed.
236 * Text rendering using native system fonts:
238 - The various programs in gEDA/gaf no longer uses its own built-in
241 - Native system fonts are used for rendering, giving support for a
242 wider range of symbols, and better looking schematics.
244 * Always use PostScript fonts in gschem's PostScript output. The
245 "output-text", "text-output" and "output-vector-threshold" config
246 functions have been removed.
248 * Image rendering in 'gschem' uses cairo instead of GDK.
250 * Numerous build system changes:
252 - gEDA/gaf is now distributed as a single source archive, called
253 gEDA-<version>.tar.gz.
255 - GTK+ 2.10 or newer and Guile 1.8 or newer are now required.
257 - `intltool' is no longer required.
259 - Documentation is now installed to ${docdir} (usually
260 ${prefix}/share/doc/gEDA).
262 * The attribute edit dialog in `gschem' now has completion of most
263 common attribute names.
265 * The multi-attribute edit dialog in `gschem' now shows unpromoted
268 * Menu items in `gschem' now have icons and properly aligned key
269 bindings. They also support accelerator keys.
271 * The `gschem2pcb' and `PCBboard' netlist backends have been removed.
272 It is recommended to use `gsch2pcb' instead.
274 * Check for and reject non-footprint PCB files in 'gsch2pcb'.
276 * Removed unimplemented "File->Open" feature in 'gattrib'.
278 * Added --disable-gattrib command line flag to ./configure to disable the
279 building of 'gattrib'. This is useful if you are building against
280 gtk+ 2.17.x which breaks 'gattrib'.
282 * 'gnetlist' does not recommend drc2 every time it runs. The drc2
283 backend is only useful in certain circumstances.
285 * Assign shortcuts "vd" and "vl" for changing between color schemes
288 * Fix problem with attached net attribute not being honored in 'gnetlist'.
290 * Focus the "save" button in the close confirmation dialog in 'gattrib' and
293 * Accept empty attributes in the src file in 'tragesym'.
295 * Cleaned up the slot dialog box in 'gschem'.
297 * Changed the grip size rendering in 'gschem' to be reasonably sized when
300 * Introduction of a new attribute searching API in 'libgeda' and 'gschem'.
302 * Improvements and cleanup to the 'gnetlist' and 'gsymcheck' test suites.
304 * Fixed the following bugs:
306 - 1758673: Combine source tarballs
307 - 2058707: gschem, gattrib: Dangerous button focus in "Save changes"
309 - 2430369: gschem: Deselect invisible attribs with their parent object.
310 - 2449060: Graphic state left inconsistent cancelling from net mode
311 - 2460301: libgeda: Make o_complex_promote_attribs() respect keep_invisible
312 and libgeda: Make o_complex_copy() actually copy.
313 - 2455061: Gnetlist output changed, and tests fail with recent GLib
314 - 2655088: autogen.sh: Make sure to exit if autopoint fails.
315 - 2823703: gnet-pcbpins.scm: Quote pins names if they contain comma
316 or close parenthesis.
317 - 2823755: gnetlist: Fix DEBUG builds.
318 - 2836109: build-sys: Add check for groff html driver.
320 * Spanish translation were updated.
322 * Lots of code, infrastructure, and doxygen documentation cleanup and
325 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.2
326 =================================
328 * `gschem' now uses Cairo for all rendering. This allows for
329 everything to be rendered anti-aliased.
331 * `gschem' now uses a mesh grid instead of dots by default.
333 * Net junction cues in `gschem' are drawn smaller now.
335 * Copy and paste now works between different `gschem' instances (using
338 * Recent files are no longer opened in a new `gschem' window.
340 * Major, *backwards-incompatible* changes to color handling in
341 `libgeda' and `gschem'.
343 - All colors are specified using hexadecimal `#RRGGBB' or
346 - The print and display color maps are now separate.
348 - A new Scheme syntax is used to inspect and modify color maps.
350 - If you wish to use a light background in `gschem', add the line:
352 (load (build-path geda-rc-path "gschem-colormap-lightbg"))
354 to your personal or project gschemrc file.
356 * Attributes of embedded objects are now shown in the right color.
358 * Bus pins are now supported by `gschem' and `libgeda', but are *not*
359 properly supported by the netlister. The pin type can be modified
360 by selecting a pin, then right-clicking it and selecting `Edit pin
363 * All of the symbols were modified to use overbar markup tags ("like
364 \_this\_") instead of separate lines.
366 * Log files are now saved to $HOME/.gEDA/logs rather than being
367 dropped in the current directory.
369 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.1
370 =================================
372 * GTK+ version 2.8.x or later is now required.
374 * The selection behaviour in `gschem' was changed.
376 - Lines, unfilled boxes, unfilled circles, arcs, pins, nets, and
377 buses must be selected by clicking on the drawn path itself.
379 - Filled boxes, circles, text, and components, may be selected by
380 clicking anywhere in the bounding box.
382 - The default mouse click distance required to select an element was
383 increased to 10 pixels.
385 - Double-clicking on a net segment selects all connected net
388 * The percentage step in or out while zooming the display in `gschem'
389 is now configurable with the `zoom-gain' gschemrc parameter. The
390 default value is 20%.
392 * The size of steps when panning with the mouse wheel or with a
393 trackpad in `gschem' is now adjustable with the `scrollpan-steps'
394 gschemrc parameter. The default setting scrolls in steps of 1/8 of
397 * A number of improvements were made to the `gschem' component
400 - The dialog now shows a table of top-level attributes in the
403 - It is now possible to expand/collapse a library by clicking
406 * Changes to fill- and line-styles in `gschem' can now be undone.
408 * Arcs can now be adjusted in `gschem' using an arc angle dialog. It
409 can be accessed by selecting an arc and selecting Edit->Edit.
411 * It is now possible to rotate objects while placing them in `gschem'.
413 * Support for arbitrary filled and unfilled paths, using a subset of
414 the SVG path syntax. For more information, please see the file
415 format specification.
416 <http://geda.seul.org/wiki/geda:file_format_spec>
418 - `gschem' does not yet provide a GUI for creating or editing path
419 elements. However, it does support rendering them. They can also
422 - Some of the symbols in the component library were updated to use
425 * A Scheme evaluation prompt was added to `gschem'. It can be
426 accessed by typing `:'.
428 * Improved algorithm for drawing hatched fills both on screen and in
431 * Color selection dialogs and menus in `gschem' now show the actual
432 color as well as the description. Color names are now translatable.
434 * `gattrib' now prompts to save changes.
436 * All of the unimplemented menu items and pages in `gattrib' were
439 * The `always-promote-attributes' gafrc parameter now takes a list of
440 strings as an argument. The space-delimited string syntax is
443 * Some optimisations were made to the `gnetlist' connection traversal
444 algorithm to speed up netlisting large designs.
446 * A new netlist backend was added to support Liquid PCB.
447 <http://www.liquidpcb.org/>
449 * The `bom2' netlist backend now generates a `qty' column.
451 * Several improvements and fixes were made to the `systemc' backend.
453 * The `--gnetlist-arg' option to gsch2pcb can now be used to pass
454 extra `gnetlist' arguments.
456 * `gsch2pcb' now emits files with the latest `pcb' file format.
458 * The `gxyrs' pick-and-place tool was added.
460 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.0
461 =================================
463 * Magnetic net mode in `gschem'. Magnetic mode lets you draw nets and
464 automatically connect to valid end points (such as pins and other
465 nets). The `magnetic-net-mode' gschemrc parameter can be used to
466 enable/disable this feature.
468 * Rotating a component while moving it in `gschem' now rotates around
469 the current mouse location.
471 * The `verilog' and `vhdl' backends now work again.
473 * Embedded components can now be mirrored.
475 * The `pads' netlist backend now uses CRLF line endings.
480 Release notes for older versions of gEDA/gaf are available on the gEDA
481 website. <http://www.gpleda.org/news/index.html>