1 ========================================================================
2 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20081128
3 ========================================================================
4 This release represents over 70 commits and as such this summary
5 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
8 - Minor bug fixes in RS274-X output.
9 -.Bug fixes in postscript output
10 - DRC checks for annular ring on pads only uses the mininum annular ring
11 drc setting instead of also checking minimum copper width.
12 - Fix postscript output for zero length lines.
13 - Improve the 'save before closing' dialogs.
14 - Fixed bugs where objects attached to the cursor vanish sometimes.
15 - Various minor code portability improvements.
16 - Enabled additional gcc warnings (when using gcc)
17 - Allow outline layers to have only arcs.
18 - Added "Ben Mode" png output which provides a simulated "photograph"
19 of the board. Very nice for publications.
20 - Fix poly clearance around rotated pads.
21 - Fix the batch HID which had bit rotted a little.
22 - Display net names hierarchically.
23 - Various speed improvements in the GTK HID.
24 - Various speed improvements in the autorouter.
25 - Minor improvements to the windows port.
26 - Other various bug fixes.
28 ========================================================================
29 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20080202
30 ========================================================================
31 This release represents over 180 commits and as such this summary
32 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
35 - Added a footprin preview in the library window
36 - Added gnome/kde desktop integration files (app and mime icons, and
39 - Updated dbus support
40 - Fix a number of GCC 4 compiler warnings
41 - Make the gtk gui more robust against malformed menu resource files
42 - Added checking for duplicate hot key definitions in the menu resource
44 - Improved support for building on win32.
45 - Removed automake/autoconf generated files from cvs
46 - Fixed some parallel make bugs
47 - Fixed some scrolling/panning bugs in the gtk gui.
48 - Added the ability to load edif netlists
49 - Closed a number of bugs in the sourceforge tracker
50 - Fix a bg in the x-y output files where the y values were mirrored and offset
51 - Add XRENDER support to the lesstif HID to support layer transparency
52 - Fix some polygon dicer bugs
53 - Fix a handful of bugs in the png export HID
54 - Avoid vias snapping to pins and moving elements snapping to their own
56 - Fix a number of undo bugs
57 - Fix printer calibration
59 - Various improvements to the postscript export HID
60 - Improve all the GetXY prompts in the menu resource files
61 - Improved the pin/via report
62 - Improved pin/pad vs grid snapping
63 - Various footprint improvements
64 o fixed some drill sizes
65 o fixed some silk sizes
66 o Added a handful of QFP family footprints
67 o Converted the QFP family to the hi-res format
68 - Several other bug fixes
70 ========================================================================
71 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20070912
72 ========================================================================
73 This release represents nearly 200 commits and as such this summary
74 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
77 - Many many bug fixes. Too many to list.
78 - Added keystone, C&K, Nichicon, and Optek footprint libraries
79 - Add attribute editor to the GTK HID
80 - Add a fileselect() function to the HID spec
81 - Fix ps output with drill helper on
82 - Add a visual indicater when elements are locked
83 - Corrections to the manual
84 - BOM can export in mm as well as mil
85 - Fix a ps output bug with arcs
86 - Fix some memory leaks found with Coverity
87 - Added autoconf test for buggy versions of m4
88 - Fixed some footprint drill sizes
89 - Add user customizable menus for the gtk HID. The gtk HID now is capable
90 of reading the same format menu resource files as the lesstif HID.
91 This represents significant rework of the menu code and menu callback code.
92 - Added Center() action
93 - Store the file format in the .pcb file. This will let pcb know when
94 presented with a file which is too new. The code for checking the format
95 was present in the prior snapshot.
96 - Fix DRC checking of square pads to square pads
97 - Added window panning/cursor warping
98 - Add the ability to directly load a footprint from a file as if it were
100 - Add a Popup() action
102 ========================================================================
103 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20070208
104 ========================================================================
105 - Add polygon clipping code. This is a big change to how polygons are handled.
106 The new code now removes islands and correctly identifies open circuits caused
107 by a trace fully cutting through a polygon. In addition, the RS-274-X output
108 is now simpler and works with some board houses that use older non-conforming
109 sofware. Different styles for thermal reliefs are also now supported as part
110 of the polygon clipper code.
111 - Add support for plugins
112 - Many improvements to the autorouter.
113 - Various improvements to the trace optimizer.
114 - Add a fontmode for editing pcb fonts
115 - Add progress() hook to HID structure
116 - Fix a bug with non-functional windows on some window managers commonly
118 - Add support for controlling pcb via dbus
119 - Fix various bugs which would cause a crash
120 - Add --scale for postscript scaling
121 - Intercept window manager delete events with the GTK gui
122 - Scan the .pcb file for a FileVersion value. This is not written out yet
123 but will be in future versions.
124 - Warn if non-manhattan lines are trying to become pads.
125 - Allow no-solder paste pads to support fiducials
126 - Report in mm or mils as selected by user
127 - Allow reordering of layers
128 - add some more QFN packages
129 - fix building with sun studio c compiler
130 - Made a pcb installation be relocatable.
131 - Convert the m4 libraries to newlib libraries as part of building a distfile.
132 The m4 libraries are still considered the sources and as such are still
133 distributed but this eliminates the need for m4 at runtime for footprints.
134 - Got rid of the pcb wrapper script around pcb-bin.
135 - Remove some old footprints of questionable naming, accuracy, or usefulness.
136 - Get the autosave/backup code working on all GUI's
137 - Fix some drill size rounding in the reports
138 - Changed the backup file name to be derived from the .pcb file name
139 - Added a command line option for DrawGrid
140 - Fix logic for adding new ratlines
141 - Fix gtk grid when board is flipped
142 - Add "find" and "rip-up" buttons to the netlist window
143 - Draw plated holes when exporting
144 - Fix some bugs when converting selection to element
145 - Fix build on cygwin
146 - Enhance the win32/build_pcb script used to generate a non-cygwin windows
148 - Make pcb work under non-cygwin windows
150 ========================================================================
151 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060822
152 ========================================================================
153 - various manual updates
154 - update the INSTALL documentation
155 - fix a bug where pins turned into pure holes when an element
157 - use locale-independent strtod and dtostr functions to avoid problems
158 loading files saved in some locales.
159 - fixed various bugs which caused pcb to crash
160 - update the gtk status line after save/save as
161 - make the gerber file names be compatible with pre-HID versions
162 - split plated and unplated drill output
163 - fix various typos in menus and comments
164 - add a batch mode HID.
165 - fix drawing of box around text in the buffer
166 - various fixes and improvements to the trace optimizer and the
168 - fix board flipping code
169 - fix rounding bug when creating list of drill sizes
170 - add support for > 8 copper layers
171 - avoid strict aliasing violations encountered with gcc4
172 - refactor code related to handling the filenames in the export
174 - fix layer group parsing code
175 - add the ability to user-configure mouse actions in the lesstif GUI.
176 - enable loaded netlists by default
177 - improve the positioning of the drill list in the postscript output
178 - various improvements to the configure script to improve robustness
179 and improve error messages when thing don't go well.
180 - add IPC style footprints for 01005 passives.
181 - added a Renumber() action which will renumber all reference designators
182 and produced an annotation file for backannotating to schematics.
183 - Draw via annulii on assembly drawings
184 - various other bug fixes and improvements.
186 ========================================================================
187 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060422
188 ========================================================================
189 - Several minor portability fixes for Solaris and the SunPRO compiler and
190 for Irix and the MIPSpro compiler.
192 - Added --psfade option for the postscript HID.
194 - Fixed a bug where the "load layout" and some other menu choices
197 - Added remaining actions to the actions reference section of the manual.
199 - Worked around X11 polluting the name space with some of the X header files.
201 - Fix route style "Save as default" bug.
203 - For the Gtk HID, add an alternate vertical window layout mode to
204 help on lower vertical resolution displays.
206 - Fix soldermask draw while TAB view from solder side.
208 - Change default PNG output scaling to be 100 dpi instead of fixing
209 the max dimension at 800 pixels.
211 - Added background image support for the GTK HID (lesstif one has it too).
213 - Fix missing window icons for the main GTK window and log window.
215 ========================================================================
216 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060414
217 ========================================================================
218 - This is the first snapshot of the new HID version of PCB. HID, which
219 stands for Human Interface Device is the abstraction created by
220 DJ Delorie which seperates the core PCB code from the graphical user
221 interface. In this release, two GUI HID's are supported, gtk and lesstif.
222 In addition, there are HID exporters for postscript and encapsulated
223 postscript, RS-274-X (gerber), bill of materials, centroid file, and
224 png/gif/jpeg. This represents a major restructuring of the code and
227 - PCB's actions (the commands which drive the core of the program and
228 may be directly accessed by the user) now have the documentation in-line
229 in the code and the actions reference section of the manual is
230 extracted from the in-line documentation. The goal it to provide more
231 complete and accurate documentation. As always the manual is still
232 a work in progress but it is getting more complete and up to date.
234 - Fixed a long standing segfault when saving connection data
238 - Fix some rounding issues when setting sizes. Hopefully this will address
239 the issue with 23.99 mil drills and related problems.
241 - The html manual is now in one file instead of many files
243 - The lesstif HID now supports loading of background images to help
244 recover a layout which may exist in hardcopy form only.
246 ========================================================================
247 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060321
248 ========================================================================
249 - Add internal support for more than 8 layers. By default PCB is still
250 compiled for 8 copper layers.
251 - Fixed several minor bugs in the GTK user interface including fixing
252 scrolling of the log window, fixed up some of the DRC reporting
254 - Fixed several key bindings.
255 - Updated refcard.tex to reflect the current set of key bindings.
256 - Fixed some minor bugs which caused compilation problems on some
258 - Converted the QFN footprints to hi-res.
259 - Added documentation to the manual for the centroid file format and
260 the algorithm used for finding the centroid and rotation.
261 - Fixed a bug so that the initial layer named 'component' is actually
262 on the component side of the board and 'solder' is actually on the
263 solder side of the board.
264 - Fixed the pin order in the bourns trim pots (~bourns library)
265 - Added actions and a script to allow command line printing.
266 - Added IPC-7351 recommended footprints for 0201, 0402, etc passives.
267 - Fixed SME5 package.
268 - Fixed a bug which prevented disabling nets from the ratsnest
269 - Fixed a bug where clearances could be set 1 below the spacing
270 - Fixed clearline flag so that arcs also have this property.
271 - Speed up rtree searches and other autorouter speedups.
272 - Fixed a bug in computation of the closest polygon point.
273 - Use rtrees for polygon handling for speed improvements.
274 - Add a ChangePinName() action.
275 - Fix a bug which caused duplicate rats names when manually adding
277 - Added DRC checks for minimum drill diameter and minimum annular ring.
278 - Add a minimal glossary to the manual
279 - Fix the author name in the fab drawing
280 - Cause the crosshair to snap to pad ends instead of center for rat
282 - Add "join" to SetFlag, ClrFlag and ChangeFlag.
283 - Added inline documentation for the pcb file syntax. The manual now
284 is up to date and correctly documents the file format. In addition
285 the inline documentation will make it much easier to maintain the
287 - Remove some broken m4lib footprints
288 - Put the correct setting for the gschem footprint= attribute in []
289 in the library window for the m4 libraries.
291 ========================================================================
292 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20050609
293 ========================================================================
295 - **** The GUI is now based on gtk2 instead of Xaw **** This represents
296 a fairly major change. You will now need gtk-2.4 or higher installed
297 along with any of its dependencies to build pcb. On linux
298 distributions, it is probably the case that you already have this,
299 but see the README-GTK_PORT file for a note on gtk versions.
300 For *BSD, Solaris, and others, you may want to use NetBSD's pkgsrc
301 to help install gtk2 and its dependencies.
303 - Flags are stored symbolically in the .pcb file. This is the start
304 of moving to support >8 layers. Please note that >8 layer support
305 is not yet available in this snapshot.
309 - As part of the switch to gtk2, the user customizable menu feature has
310 been temporarily broken. Hopefully this will be fixed by the next
311 snapshot. In addition, the loading of background images has also been
314 ========================================================================
315 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20050315
316 ========================================================================
318 - Several footprint library fixes including TO-220 parse errors and
319 incorrect drill holes on several componenets.
321 - Fixed a crashing bug in the pinout window.
323 - Allow the FAB author to be set via an Xresource to override what
324 PCB might have gotten from the gecos information.
326 - Added table of standard drill sizes to the manual.
328 - Fixed a crashing bug when trying to use arrow keys to adjust the scale
329 slider in the print dialog box.
331 ========================================================================
332 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20050127
333 ========================================================================
335 - Fix drill size for PLCC sockets in ~geda library. Fix drill size for
336 LED3 and LED5 footprints in ~geda library.
338 - Move the right-click popup menu to pcb-menu.res.
340 - Add DisperseElements() action for spreading out elements in an initial
343 - Fix fab drawing output for the case where a very small number of
344 drill sizes are used.
346 - Various documentation improvements.
348 - Remove many compiler warnings.
350 - Added metric output to the cursor display
352 - Fix <Key>. for toggling 45 degree mode.
354 - Crosshair snap snaps to center of pads and also to the mark of the
357 - Protect all strcmp() calls with a check for a NULL pointer. Fixes
360 - Fixed the mode buttons which were unresponsive in some versions of
363 - Element names may be edited over the element.
365 - Added --enable-efence for ElectricFence debugging. Off by default
367 - Added --disable-rpath to avoid using rpath for the X libraries.
369 - Added vendor resource file support. This allows lets you specify
370 a set of allowed drill sizes and drc rules for a particular vendor.
372 - Added -action command line option to allow executing an action on
375 - Date and time of compilation added to About dialog.
377 - Fix a bug where the soldermask relief on a new element is 100x smaller
378 than the default when "convert buffer to element" is used.
380 - Fix a name_tree corruption bug when changing an element name.
382 - Don't remove the formatted manual with a 'make clean' since they are
383 part of the distfile.
385 - Let automake handle the html and pdf conversion. This ends up using
386 texi2pdf for the pdf output which seems to do a better job than ps2pdf.
388 - Sort actions by modifier so that both Ctrl<Key>x and <Key>x work.
390 - Fix a SelectByName bug.
392 - Fix non-gcc compilation
394 - Command history added to :
396 - Fixed pinout window crash
398 - Allow Ctrl-drag to copy objects in arrow mode.
400 - Fixed a polygon clearance bug
402 - Fix an arc bounding box calculation error.
404 ========================================================================
405 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20040903
406 ========================================================================
408 - enable -Wall when compiling with gcc. Many compiler warnings have
411 - add a short man page which refers the user to the real documentation
413 - Added ExecuteFile(file) action which allows the execution of several
414 actions contained in a text file.
416 - Added -script <file> flag which specifies a file containing actions
417 to be executed upon startup.
419 - Various documentation improvements
421 - Protect some gcc extensions with tests for gcc. This allows
422 compilation with the IRIX c compiler.
424 - Add support for a background image in the drawing area which can
425 help in importing a layout from a scanned image.
427 - Updated the ~geda library 150 and 300 mil width SOIC packages
428 to remove silk on pads and to more closely follow the IPC
431 - Added support for menu accelerators.
433 - segfault when breaking apart an element with no element selected
436 - autorouter improvements
438 - added more 400mil DIP packages to ~geda library
440 - fix a trace optimizer bug which produced a segfault
442 - other various bug fixes
445 ========================================================================
446 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20040530
447 ========================================================================
448 This has been an exciting 3 months for PCB. Many improvements have
449 been made in the program as well as additions and improvements to the
450 footprint library. Thanks to everyone who has provided feedback,
453 ----------------------
454 Additions/Improvements
455 ----------------------
456 - Expanded DRC checking
457 - "Realtime" DRC checking
458 - DRC settings are now stored in the board fle
459 - Centroid (X-Y) and bill of materials output
460 - Dynamic menus. Users can now customize the menus via a
461 site-wide, per-user, or per-project menu resource file.
462 - Significant improvements to autorouting of congested designs.
463 - Autorouter can now use power planes.
464 - Improved appearance in autorouter output.
465 - Silk on pads/pins is clipped in RS-274-X output
466 - Ordering is preserved when writing output files so that diff
467 may be effectively used on pcb files.
468 - The autoplace feature now actually works
469 - Added ToggleVisibility action
470 - Most of the database is now kept in rtrees which avoids linear
471 searches. This speeds up operation significantly.
472 - Added SetFlag, ClrFlag, ChangeFlag actions
477 - pin/pad bounding box calculation fixed. Components can
478 now be placed closer to the edge of the board.
479 - miter trace optimization bug.
480 - Fix bug with pins which are enclosed by multiple polygons.
481 - Shorts to unnamed elements and pins are handled correctly.
482 - Various memory leaks fixed.
483 - Fixed some bugs with a really high zoom.
484 - Fixed default media selection in postscript print dialog
485 - Fix some DRC bugs with square pins.
490 - Added SOJ footprint family (~geda library)
491 - Added CTS series 742/3/4/5/6 resistor pack footprints (~cts library)
492 - Added PKG_CONNECTOR_DIL macro to let the HEADER*_1 footprints work
494 - Correct the SDIP footprints (~geda library)
495 - Correct some Minicircuits footprints (~minicircuits library)
496 - Correct some panasonic footprints (~panasonic library)
497 - Change refdes silk size for sockets (~johnstech library)
498 - Increase soldermask relief on some mounting holes
500 - Convert the COMMON_SMT_DIL_MIL and COMMON_SMT_DIL_MM macros
501 used by several other libraries to the hi-res format.
502 - Correct pin count on 100 pin QFP packages (100 not 72)
504 - Correct pin count on HEADER60_2 (60 not 50) (~geda library)
506 ========================================================================
510 (1) New library system. A directory tree is parsed and added to the library
511 selector window. This directory is specified in the config.h file as
512 PCBTREEDIR and should point to a directory where any pcb user that needs to
513 create library elements has write privileges. The "-libtree X" switch will
514 cause pcb to use directory X instead of the installed default for the new
515 library directory. You should continue to be wary of the old library
516 elements, many of them are not quite right. (Just check them carefully before
517 fabing to be sure there are no surprises). My intent is to create a
518 repository for new elements THAT PEOPLE HAVE FABRICATED SUCCESSFULLY in order
519 to grow a reliable library.
521 (2) Element files can now contain layers (line, arcs, polygons), vias and
522 elements. The new library system reads from element files (no need to learn
523 M4). The expanded capability of element files allows you to put useful
524 sub-circuits into the library. For example, a QFP package with a break-out
525 via pattern can be stored as a library element. Be careful with this as the
526 layers are saved simply by their layer number and lose any association with a
527 group (e.g. whether it is the component, or solder-side layer).
529 (3) Improved fascilities for creating elements from drawn objects. Now you
530 can put an element in the buffer, and break it into it's consitutent parts.
531 Paste this to the layout, make changes, then put it back in the buffer to
532 convert to an element. You can also save a buffer's contents to an element
533 file (i.e. add it to the library). Of course element files are still just
534 text files so you can edit them at will. Draw the element outline on the silk
535 layer (lines and arcs, no polygons), use Vias to make pins or holes, and lines
536 on the component and/or solder layers for SMD pads. Number the pins and pads
537 with the name ("n" key) entry, then cut it all to the buffer and select
538 "convert buffer to element". Saved elements always appear in the file in a
539 component-side orientation (even if you save while viewing the solder side).
541 (4) Support for elements with surface-mount pads on both sides of the board.
542 e.g. edge connectors. This also allows creation of elements with multiple
543 pins/pads having the same "number" string. This can be used, for example,
544 to create a DIP footprint that has a pad on top and bottom coincident
545 with each pin. This effectively makes the pins have elongated copper pads
546 on the top and bottom - something several home-made board makers have
547 requested. If you do create an element with multiple pins having the
548 same number, and that number appears in the netlist, they MUST be connected
549 before the board is considered routed. See the "14DIP_oval_pad" example
550 in the "test" section of the library for an example.
552 (5) Support for the strokes library. Compiling with strokes enabled (see
553 config.h) binds the middle button to recognize strokes for the user
554 interface. Zoom in, Zoom out, choose the line, arrow, or via tools, rotate an
555 object, etc. can be done with simple strokes. Check the source code
556 (FinishStroke() in action.c) to see what the strokes are.
558 (6) Better fascilites for panning at high zoom: Shift-button3 down shows the
559 whole layout - move the crosshair to where you want the display centered,
560 then release the mouse button - the previous zoom level is restored, centered
561 at the new location. You can do this while in the middle of drawing, moving,
562 etc. You can also place the cursor in the panner area, and use the arrow keys
563 on the keyboard to scroll half a window view per keypress. Of course you can
564 still drag the screen with button1 with the panner tool (previously known
566 Auto-scrolling is also improved. If you want to use menus, buttons,
567 the panner, placing the pointer over them stops auto-scroll. If you
568 want to go to another window and not auto-scroll, pass the pointer
569 over one of those things before heading to the other window.
571 (7) Auto-router. The auto-router routes with the active line size, via size,
572 and keep-away. It is a grid-less router, and will automatically avoid any
573 existing traces, etc. that you've placed on the board. It uses all layers
574 that are visible when invoked, so turn off any layers you don't want it to
575 use. You can auto-route all rat lines, or selected rat lines. This was
576 written by C. Scott Ananian
578 (8) Fascilities to rip-up tracks and vias that were placed by the
579 auto-router. You can rip-up all auto-routed tracks, or just those that are
580 selected (and were auto-routed).
582 (9) Auto-placement code. It's broken. Don't use it.
584 (10) Many functions added to the menus that were previously accessible only
585 through keys or typed commands. e.g. SetValue(Grid,1), DRC().
587 (11) You can turn on/off the requirement for unique element names. When
588 unique names are required, they may be automatically generated when pasting.
589 Turn on uniqueness for a single layout, turn off if placing several boards in
590 a panel (or if you just want duplicate names). It's in the settings menu.
592 (12) Support for metric grids. Coordinates are still always integer mils,
593 but you can have the grid fall on a regular metric spacing to within
594 +/- 1 mil. Selectable in the "Screen" menu and also with the "SetValue(Grid, x)"
595 command; the value x is still in mils, but it's floating point now. Also
596 the concept of "absolute" grid has been eliminated - just align it where
599 (13) Support for viewing the soldermask. The Screen menu has a selection for
600 turning on/off the display of the solder mask. You can also change the
601 size of mask holes when the mask is displayed by using the
602 "ChangeClearSize(what, change)" function (k key). If the mask is not
603 displayed, this function changes polygon clearances as before. For example
604 you could elliminate all via soldermask holes by selecting everything
605 (make sure vias are turned on), then typing the command:
606 ":ChangeClearSize(SelectedVias, 0)" There is a special case for
607 vias to change the mask diameter equal to the via diameter, by using
608 +0 as the size change.
610 (14) Support for creation/addition of netlist by drawing rat lines.
611 Select "netlist" from the drawing layer, and use the line tool to
612 add nets. Undo removes the rat, but not the created net. To delete
613 a netlist entry, select the connection in the netlist window and
614 hit the backspace key. The "netlist" layer must be the active layer
615 to delete connections like this. This is NOT the recommended way
616 to create a netlist, but a lot of people asked for it.
618 (15) Support for snapping the crosshair to pins/pads even when they're not on
619 grid. Selectable in the "Settings" menu. Thanks to Borges for this
622 (16) Doesn't draw negative lines and arcs in print output unless
623 necessary. It still does this for all pads though. Doesn't technically
624 matter, but there are a lot of bogus gerber viewers out there and
625 people that are easily confused by gerber files that completely meet
628 (17) Added a "Lock" feature that lets you lock an object so it
629 can't be selected, moved, or modified. Very handy for making a
630 board-outline element (e.g. pc104 card) invisible to the Arrow
633 (18) lots of bug fixes (plus, no doubt, lots of newly introduced ones).
635 (19) a tool (in the tools folder) for converting to/from ncap files
636 for auto-routing with MUCS-PCB. I have not tried this myself. Written
637 By Luis Claudio G. Lopes
639 (20) a new build system based on the GNU automake and autoconf tools.
640 This should make compiling on different systems easier than with the
641 old imake based build system.
643 (21) A program for quickly generating QFP elements. Its invoked
644 from the old library (~generic/qfp menu, generic)
646 (22) Increased resolution. The internal unit is now 0.01 mil
647 as opposed to 1.0 mil which was the previous unit.
649 Quick and dirty explanation of some as-yet undocumented features:
651 Netlist window: double-click on a net-name to enable/disable it. A "*"
652 appears next to the name when it is disabled. Disabled means rats nests will
653 ignore the net. Click on a connection to select it (and center it) in the
654 layout window. "Finding" a connection starting from a pin or pad will
655 select it in the netlist window.
657 The "j" key controls whether a line (arc) clears (plow through) polygons or
658 touches them. Newly created lines and arcs follow the setting in the
659 "settings" menu. Put the cursor over the line or arc you want to change, then
660 hit the "j" (j for join) key.
662 The "k" key controls the width of clearance around a line (arc) when it
663 plows. "k" key increases clearance by 2, Shift-K decreases it by 2, also
664 works for pins and vias piercing polygons. The initial value for new objects
665 (but not element pins/pads which is in the element definition)
666 is controlled by the "keepaway" setting, changeable in the "sizes" menu.
668 When drawing lines, you can start a new anchor point without drawing from
669 the previous point by either clicking button3, or Ctrl-button1. DON'T
670 USE BUTTON2 - that would be wrong, even if it sort of works.
672 The Arrow tool is for selecting/deselecting objects, and moving them.
673 Shift-click to add to the existing selection. You can click-drag to draw
674 boxes for box selection. If you click-drag on an already selected item, you
675 will move the selection. If you click-drag on an un-selected item, you will
676 move that item without selecting it. This last technique is the only way to
677 move a point (e.g. end point of a line), and is also the only way to perform
678 moves with rubber-banding (i.e. rubber-banding doesn't work with selections).
679 Moving a selection actually cuts it to a special paste buffer, then pastes it
680 at the new location. Always start a box selection by clicking in an empty
681 region of the board. It may be desireable to turn off some visibility in
682 order to simplify the box selection operation. You can also lock
683 an object to make it invisible to the Arrow tool (so box selections can
684 begin over the object). If you don't configure for
685 strokes, the middle button is bound to the arrow tool.
687 To move an element or silk text to the opposite side of the board, use the
688 "b" key (b for backside) to send it to the opposite side. You can also cut an
689 object to a buffer, switch viewing sides (tab), then paste it. The buffer can
690 be used this way to flip layout traces to the other side too, although if
691 layer groups are used, the precise layer they appear on may not have the
692 color you want, but the connectivity should not change.
695 Installation tip: BE SURE TO INSTALL THE NEW X11 RESOURCE FILE - run
696 make install to do this. If you just want to test without installing,
697 run the pcbtest.sh script in the src directory.