1 ========================================================================
2 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20110918
3 ========================================================================
4 This release represents over 797 commits and as such this summary
5 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
11 - Internal coordinate space is now metric. This should fix the "trace
12 nubs on metric grids" issue. Also, units are allowed on pretty much
13 every "coordinate" that PCB accepts. Example: 5.4in, 10cm, 0.55mm.
14 New configure option --enable-coord64 to force (slower?) 64-bit type
15 for coordinates on 32-bit systems (if you need a board bigger than 1
16 meter across). The internal precision is 1 nanometer, the internal
19 - New GL mode for the gtk hid with translucent traces.
21 - New GTK layer view/choose widget and other GUI enhancements.
22 - GTK HID warns if the *.pcb file has changed on disk.
23 - Enhanced grid snapping logic.
24 - Select/report nets by name.
25 - Auto-pan has been removed.
26 - Zoom can zoom out beyond the edge of the board's workspace.
27 - GTK: title string matches GNOME conventions.
28 - Personally identifiable information is no longer stored in the PCB.
29 - Toggling vias from hole to plated is reversible.
30 - Gerber exporter has options for including outlines on other layers.
31 - Edited footprint files are saved as footprints, not pcbs.
32 - Improved gtk library search/filter.
33 - Default layer stack is now a six-layer template with outline.
34 - If the board has an outline layer, an outline will be shown if no
35 other outline is specified.
36 - Group[] string allows t/b synonyms for c/s. "top" and "bottom" are
37 the standard names now.
38 - PCB will save files with an older version tag if newer features aren't needed.
39 - Autorouter has a progress dialog.
40 - PCB will no longer let you delete the last top/bottom layer.
41 - Refcard has been updated.
42 - Documentation updates.
43 - Layes with the PCB::skip-drc attribute set are ignored during DRC.
44 - Allow numeric keys to also choose the silk layer.
45 - Minor readability tweaks to the default font.
46 - Via copper may overlap.
47 - User is notified if an Import() cannot find all the footprints.
52 - Optimizer won't try to optimize overlapping pads
53 - Undo should fail less, in corner cases.
54 - Nested key-bound actions won't crash lesstif.
55 - Do not select invisible pads on the far side.
56 - Protect Import() from command injection.
57 - Fix conversion of far-side polygons to element pads.
58 - Fix initial clearance values of text when loading PCBs.
59 - Fix solder mask drawing on vias.
60 - Add missing action documentation.
61 - Fab drawing notes actual outline trace width.
62 - Zero clearance pins and pads won't cause DRC failures.
63 - PS export: fix draw-rectangle (used to do fill, not outline)
64 - Gerber export no longer fills unfilled rectanges.
65 - If there are no image formats available, the PNG hid is not enabled.
66 - You can no longer select pins/pads of locked elements.
67 - The m4-to-newlib converter now creates file names that match the
69 - Never set the FOUND flag on new silk lines.
70 - Lesstif HID won't crash if both Xinerama and XRender are detected.
71 - Lesstif menu is now internationalizable.
72 - Refdes labels in a font-less layout can be moved.
73 - Import can correctly update elements on the bottom side.
74 - DRC no longer treats unplated holes as conducting.
79 - Updated and new translations, including Dutch.
80 - Many polygon speedups.
81 - Numerous build-related cleanups.
82 - Numerous minor speed-related cleanups.
83 - GTK 2.18 is the minimum required version.
84 - GTS moved out of the src/ tree so it can be built with different flags.
85 - More C++ compatible.
86 - Expanded regex documentation.
87 - Much code which is no longer needed has been removed.
88 - HID init method changed to allow for hid struct expansion without
90 - New HID calls for whole-pad and whole-pin drawing.
91 - ClearAndRedrawOutput() replaced with Redraw().
92 - Board objects use hashes instead of lists to store parts, so
93 pointers don't change.
94 - DVI documentation output is no longer generated.
96 ========================================================================
97 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20100929
98 ========================================================================
99 This release represents over 240 commits and as such this summary
100 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
106 - PCB can directly import (forward annotate) schematics while running.
107 - Many places where measurements are entered now accept units, like
108 "5mm", and "cm" and "in" are allowed too.
109 - Free Rotate Buffer added to menu
111 - F12 invokes the Lock tool.
112 - Russian translation added.
113 - DBUS is enabled by default when possible.
114 - Command-line exporters can run action scripts too.
115 - GTK tool tips on elements, pins, and nets.
116 - Command-line actions in GUIs do not require (,,) syntax.
117 - PCB can import footprints both in subdirectories and the named directories.
118 - New GCode exporter.
119 - Footprint files use ".fp" as the suffix; this is automatically
120 searched for if needed.
121 - GTK dialogs do not show at startup unless requested.
122 - Stackup can be specified on the command line for command-line exporting.
123 - Reference card updated.
124 - The snap-point in pads is the center.
125 - The 's' key toggles polygons to clear/notclear all pads and pins
130 - Various PNG export fixes.
131 - lesstif's magic toggle-layers-on-flip fixed.
132 - Arc bounding box math fixed.
133 - Fixed: sometimes, disabling silk also disabled the solder layer.
134 - "pcb --help" prints all options again
135 - Add mnemonic for "close without saving"
136 - Don't select silk on the back side when it's invisible.
137 - Various polygon rendering bugs fixed.
138 - PNG drill bloat export fixed.
139 - Attempts to change polygon clearance *on* polygons results in a hint.
140 - PNG doesn't segfault if not all graphic formats are supported.
141 - Various toporouter fixes and improvements
142 - HID_Mixed is supported in attribute dialogs
143 - Flipped rectangles in PS exports are drawn correctly.
144 - Optimizer removes micro-traces under pads.
145 - Vias, pins, and pads are now drawn under the mask instead of over.
146 - Windows supported better.
151 - Sources converted to C99
152 - Doc extraction gives more control over categories.
153 - Thermal documentation updated.
154 - Actions can see the context they were invoked in
156 ========================================================================
157 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20091103
158 ========================================================================
159 This release represents almost 200 commits and as such this summary
160 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
163 - [feature] Add attributes to layers
164 - [bugfix] Remove memory leak in attributes
165 - [bugfix] Avoid layer buttons getting confused (GTK)
166 - [bugfix] Fix dereference bug in hid_find_action()
167 - [feature] Speed up some polygon operations
168 - [bugfix] Don't let DRC change the grid setting
169 - [bugfix] Correct URL's in some dialogs and output
170 - [feature] Add filters to load file chooser dialog (GTK)
171 - [bugfix] Avoid segfaults with png HID with newer versions of libgd
172 - [bugfix] Don't disperse locked elements
173 - [feature] Added experimental topological autorouter
174 - [feature] Added the beginning of a testsuite.
175 - [docs] Document FreeRotateBuffer()
176 - [docs] Add some additional notes on the usage of the existing
178 - [feature] Add --png-bloat option
179 - [bugfix] Fix several bugs found with valgrind
180 - [bugfix] Improve the pre-install wrapper script
181 - [bugfix] Several fixes to the autorouter
182 - [feature] Allow quoted strings and escaped characters in action
184 - [footprints] Add missing INDC3216M, remove duplicated RESC3216M
185 - [feature] Added the ability to customize mouse events via gpcb-menu.res
187 - [feature] Added the ability to use mod1 (alt)(option) in
189 - [bugfix] Fix compilation issues on centos
190 - [bugfix] Make the detection of tools and build system around
191 building the documentation be more robust. Users should
192 not be worrying about --disable-doc or --enable-maintainer-mode
194 - [footprints] Add T018, T039, fix pinout of T092 to match JEDEC
195 - [bugfix] Speed up rendering of DRC violation previews under GTK
196 - [bugfix] Fix some crashing bugs related to polygons and thindraw mode
197 - [feature] Added a DRC refresh button
198 - [bugfix] Fix some pango markup in the GTK DRC dialog
199 - [bugfix] Fix cursor warping on flipped boards (GTK)
200 - [feature] Added preview images in the DRC violations window (GTK)
201 - [feature] Add a DrcViolationType structure and add hooks to allow HID's to use this
202 - [bugfix] Fix some polygon memory leaks
203 - [feature] Add an API for registering actions with a context to support scripting
205 - [bugfix] Fix a bug with the Report(NetLength) action and NULL pin/pad names
206 - [bugfix] Allow exporters to work with hairlines (width of 0)
207 - [tools] Increase autoconf version to 2.60 since we were using some features of it
208 - [bugfix] Fix a number of polygon related issues
209 - [bugfix] Fix a number of gcc warnings
210 - [feature] Don't display undocumented options in help output. This helps
211 the transition when deprecating an option.
212 - [feature] Add outline mode for photo-mode exporting
213 - [footprints] Put the mark on pin 1 for axial footprints to make them more likely
215 - [bugfix] Fix flipping of arcs
216 - [bugfix] Fix parsing of old-syntax arcs
217 - [bugfix] Include explicit text/lines on silk layers in the assembly drawing output
218 - [feature] '--ben-mode' has been renamed to '--photo-mode'
219 - [bugfix] Fix some crashign bugs on boards with a large number of rats
220 - [bugfix] Fix an off-by-one bug in the GTK netlist window
221 - [docs] Add getting started guide
222 - [feature] Add support for parsing suffixes on numbers ("um", "mm", "in", "mil")
223 - [bugfix] Fix some configure/build issues when cross compiling
224 - [bugfix] Fix some improperly used automake conditionals
225 - [bugfix] Fix some uninstall of shortcuts issues under windows Vista
226 - [feature] Add additional crosshair shapes
227 - [bugfix] Various windows build script improvements
229 ========================================================================
230 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20081128
231 ========================================================================
232 This release represents over 70 commits and as such this summary
233 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
236 - Minor bug fixes in RS274-X output.
237 -.Bug fixes in postscript output
238 - DRC checks for annular ring on pads only uses the mininum annular ring
239 drc setting instead of also checking minimum copper width.
240 - Fix postscript output for zero length lines.
241 - Improve the 'save before closing' dialogs.
242 - Fixed bugs where objects attached to the cursor vanish sometimes.
243 - Various minor code portability improvements.
244 - Enabled additional gcc warnings (when using gcc)
245 - Allow outline layers to have only arcs.
246 - Added "Ben Mode" png output which provides a simulated "photograph"
247 of the board. Very nice for publications.
248 - Fix poly clearance around rotated pads.
249 - Fix the batch HID which had bit rotted a little.
250 - Display net names hierarchically.
251 - Various speed improvements in the GTK HID.
252 - Various speed improvements in the autorouter.
253 - Minor improvements to the windows port.
254 - Other various bug fixes.
256 ========================================================================
257 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20080202
258 ========================================================================
259 This release represents over 180 commits and as such this summary
260 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
263 - Added a footprin preview in the library window
264 - Added gnome/kde desktop integration files (app and mime icons, and
267 - Updated dbus support
268 - Fix a number of GCC 4 compiler warnings
269 - Make the gtk gui more robust against malformed menu resource files
270 - Added checking for duplicate hot key definitions in the menu resource
272 - Improved support for building on win32.
273 - Removed automake/autoconf generated files from cvs
274 - Fixed some parallel make bugs
275 - Fixed some scrolling/panning bugs in the gtk gui.
276 - Added the ability to load edif netlists
277 - Closed a number of bugs in the sourceforge tracker
278 - Fix a bg in the x-y output files where the y values were mirrored and offset
279 - Add XRENDER support to the lesstif HID to support layer transparency
280 - Fix some polygon dicer bugs
281 - Fix a handful of bugs in the png export HID
282 - Avoid vias snapping to pins and moving elements snapping to their own
284 - Fix a number of undo bugs
285 - Fix printer calibration
287 - Various improvements to the postscript export HID
288 - Improve all the GetXY prompts in the menu resource files
289 - Improved the pin/via report
290 - Improved pin/pad vs grid snapping
291 - Various footprint improvements
292 o fixed some drill sizes
293 o fixed some silk sizes
294 o Added a handful of QFP family footprints
295 o Converted the QFP family to the hi-res format
296 - Several other bug fixes
298 ========================================================================
299 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20070912
300 ========================================================================
301 This release represents nearly 200 commits and as such this summary
302 clearly is not complete. See the ChangeLog file for the complete list
305 - Many many bug fixes. Too many to list.
306 - Added keystone, C&K, Nichicon, and Optek footprint libraries
307 - Add attribute editor to the GTK HID
308 - Add a fileselect() function to the HID spec
309 - Fix ps output with drill helper on
310 - Add a visual indicater when elements are locked
311 - Corrections to the manual
312 - BOM can export in mm as well as mil
313 - Fix a ps output bug with arcs
314 - Fix some memory leaks found with Coverity
315 - Added autoconf test for buggy versions of m4
316 - Fixed some footprint drill sizes
317 - Add user customizable menus for the gtk HID. The gtk HID now is capable
318 of reading the same format menu resource files as the lesstif HID.
319 This represents significant rework of the menu code and menu callback code.
320 - Added Center() action
321 - Store the file format in the .pcb file. This will let pcb know when
322 presented with a file which is too new. The code for checking the format
323 was present in the prior snapshot.
324 - Fix DRC checking of square pads to square pads
325 - Added window panning/cursor warping
326 - Add the ability to directly load a footprint from a file as if it were
328 - Add a Popup() action
330 ========================================================================
331 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20070208
332 ========================================================================
333 - Add polygon clipping code. This is a big change to how polygons are handled.
334 The new code now removes islands and correctly identifies open circuits caused
335 by a trace fully cutting through a polygon. In addition, the RS-274-X output
336 is now simpler and works with some board houses that use older non-conforming
337 sofware. Different styles for thermal reliefs are also now supported as part
338 of the polygon clipper code.
339 - Add support for plugins
340 - Many improvements to the autorouter.
341 - Various improvements to the trace optimizer.
342 - Add a fontmode for editing pcb fonts
343 - Add progress() hook to HID structure
344 - Fix a bug with non-functional windows on some window managers commonly
346 - Add support for controlling pcb via dbus
347 - Fix various bugs which would cause a crash
348 - Add --scale for postscript scaling
349 - Intercept window manager delete events with the GTK gui
350 - Scan the .pcb file for a FileVersion value. This is not written out yet
351 but will be in future versions.
352 - Warn if non-manhattan lines are trying to become pads.
353 - Allow no-solder paste pads to support fiducials
354 - Report in mm or mils as selected by user
355 - Allow reordering of layers
356 - add some more QFN packages
357 - fix building with sun studio c compiler
358 - Made a pcb installation be relocatable.
359 - Convert the m4 libraries to newlib libraries as part of building a distfile.
360 The m4 libraries are still considered the sources and as such are still
361 distributed but this eliminates the need for m4 at runtime for footprints.
362 - Got rid of the pcb wrapper script around pcb-bin.
363 - Remove some old footprints of questionable naming, accuracy, or usefulness.
364 - Get the autosave/backup code working on all GUI's
365 - Fix some drill size rounding in the reports
366 - Changed the backup file name to be derived from the .pcb file name
367 - Added a command line option for DrawGrid
368 - Fix logic for adding new ratlines
369 - Fix gtk grid when board is flipped
370 - Add "find" and "rip-up" buttons to the netlist window
371 - Draw plated holes when exporting
372 - Fix some bugs when converting selection to element
373 - Fix build on cygwin
374 - Enhance the win32/build_pcb script used to generate a non-cygwin windows
376 - Make pcb work under non-cygwin windows
378 ========================================================================
379 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060822
380 ========================================================================
381 - various manual updates
382 - update the INSTALL documentation
383 - fix a bug where pins turned into pure holes when an element
385 - use locale-independent strtod and dtostr functions to avoid problems
386 loading files saved in some locales.
387 - fixed various bugs which caused pcb to crash
388 - update the gtk status line after save/save as
389 - make the gerber file names be compatible with pre-HID versions
390 - split plated and unplated drill output
391 - fix various typos in menus and comments
392 - add a batch mode HID.
393 - fix drawing of box around text in the buffer
394 - various fixes and improvements to the trace optimizer and the
396 - fix board flipping code
397 - fix rounding bug when creating list of drill sizes
398 - add support for > 8 copper layers
399 - avoid strict aliasing violations encountered with gcc4
400 - refactor code related to handling the filenames in the export
402 - fix layer group parsing code
403 - add the ability to user-configure mouse actions in the lesstif GUI.
404 - enable loaded netlists by default
405 - improve the positioning of the drill list in the postscript output
406 - various improvements to the configure script to improve robustness
407 and improve error messages when thing don't go well.
408 - add IPC style footprints for 01005 passives.
409 - added a Renumber() action which will renumber all reference designators
410 and produced an annotation file for backannotating to schematics.
411 - Draw via annulii on assembly drawings
412 - various other bug fixes and improvements.
414 ========================================================================
415 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060422
416 ========================================================================
417 - Several minor portability fixes for Solaris and the SunPRO compiler and
418 for Irix and the MIPSpro compiler.
420 - Added --psfade option for the postscript HID.
422 - Fixed a bug where the "load layout" and some other menu choices
425 - Added remaining actions to the actions reference section of the manual.
427 - Worked around X11 polluting the name space with some of the X header files.
429 - Fix route style "Save as default" bug.
431 - For the Gtk HID, add an alternate vertical window layout mode to
432 help on lower vertical resolution displays.
434 - Fix soldermask draw while TAB view from solder side.
436 - Change default PNG output scaling to be 100 dpi instead of fixing
437 the max dimension at 800 pixels.
439 - Added background image support for the GTK HID (lesstif one has it too).
441 - Fix missing window icons for the main GTK window and log window.
443 ========================================================================
444 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060414
445 ========================================================================
446 - This is the first snapshot of the new HID version of PCB. HID, which
447 stands for Human Interface Device is the abstraction created by
448 DJ Delorie which seperates the core PCB code from the graphical user
449 interface. In this release, two GUI HID's are supported, gtk and lesstif.
450 In addition, there are HID exporters for postscript and encapsulated
451 postscript, RS-274-X (gerber), bill of materials, centroid file, and
452 png/gif/jpeg. This represents a major restructuring of the code and
455 - PCB's actions (the commands which drive the core of the program and
456 may be directly accessed by the user) now have the documentation in-line
457 in the code and the actions reference section of the manual is
458 extracted from the in-line documentation. The goal it to provide more
459 complete and accurate documentation. As always the manual is still
460 a work in progress but it is getting more complete and up to date.
462 - Fixed a long standing segfault when saving connection data
466 - Fix some rounding issues when setting sizes. Hopefully this will address
467 the issue with 23.99 mil drills and related problems.
469 - The html manual is now in one file instead of many files
471 - The lesstif HID now supports loading of background images to help
472 recover a layout which may exist in hardcopy form only.
474 ========================================================================
475 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20060321
476 ========================================================================
477 - Add internal support for more than 8 layers. By default PCB is still
478 compiled for 8 copper layers.
479 - Fixed several minor bugs in the GTK user interface including fixing
480 scrolling of the log window, fixed up some of the DRC reporting
482 - Fixed several key bindings.
483 - Updated refcard.tex to reflect the current set of key bindings.
484 - Fixed some minor bugs which caused compilation problems on some
486 - Converted the QFN footprints to hi-res.
487 - Added documentation to the manual for the centroid file format and
488 the algorithm used for finding the centroid and rotation.
489 - Fixed a bug so that the initial layer named 'component' is actually
490 on the component side of the board and 'solder' is actually on the
491 solder side of the board.
492 - Fixed the pin order in the bourns trim pots (~bourns library)
493 - Added actions and a script to allow command line printing.
494 - Added IPC-7351 recommended footprints for 0201, 0402, etc passives.
495 - Fixed SME5 package.
496 - Fixed a bug which prevented disabling nets from the ratsnest
497 - Fixed a bug where clearances could be set 1 below the spacing
498 - Fixed clearline flag so that arcs also have this property.
499 - Speed up rtree searches and other autorouter speedups.
500 - Fixed a bug in computation of the closest polygon point.
501 - Use rtrees for polygon handling for speed improvements.
502 - Add a ChangePinName() action.
503 - Fix a bug which caused duplicate rats names when manually adding
505 - Added DRC checks for minimum drill diameter and minimum annular ring.
506 - Add a minimal glossary to the manual
507 - Fix the author name in the fab drawing
508 - Cause the crosshair to snap to pad ends instead of center for rat
510 - Add "join" to SetFlag, ClrFlag and ChangeFlag.
511 - Added inline documentation for the pcb file syntax. The manual now
512 is up to date and correctly documents the file format. In addition
513 the inline documentation will make it much easier to maintain the
515 - Remove some broken m4lib footprints
516 - Put the correct setting for the gschem footprint= attribute in []
517 in the library window for the m4 libraries.
519 ========================================================================
520 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20050609
521 ========================================================================
523 - **** The GUI is now based on gtk2 instead of Xaw **** This represents
524 a fairly major change. You will now need gtk-2.4 or higher installed
525 along with any of its dependencies to build pcb. On linux
526 distributions, it is probably the case that you already have this,
527 but see the README-GTK_PORT file for a note on gtk versions.
528 For *BSD, Solaris, and others, you may want to use NetBSD's pkgsrc
529 to help install gtk2 and its dependencies.
531 - Flags are stored symbolically in the .pcb file. This is the start
532 of moving to support >8 layers. Please note that >8 layer support
533 is not yet available in this snapshot.
537 - As part of the switch to gtk2, the user customizable menu feature has
538 been temporarily broken. Hopefully this will be fixed by the next
539 snapshot. In addition, the loading of background images has also been
542 ========================================================================
543 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20050315
544 ========================================================================
546 - Several footprint library fixes including TO-220 parse errors and
547 incorrect drill holes on several componenets.
549 - Fixed a crashing bug in the pinout window.
551 - Allow the FAB author to be set via an Xresource to override what
552 PCB might have gotten from the gecos information.
554 - Added table of standard drill sizes to the manual.
556 - Fixed a crashing bug when trying to use arrow keys to adjust the scale
557 slider in the print dialog box.
559 ========================================================================
560 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20050127
561 ========================================================================
563 - Fix drill size for PLCC sockets in ~geda library. Fix drill size for
564 LED3 and LED5 footprints in ~geda library.
566 - Move the right-click popup menu to pcb-menu.res.
568 - Add DisperseElements() action for spreading out elements in an initial
571 - Fix fab drawing output for the case where a very small number of
572 drill sizes are used.
574 - Various documentation improvements.
576 - Remove many compiler warnings.
578 - Added metric output to the cursor display
580 - Fix <Key>. for toggling 45 degree mode.
582 - Crosshair snap snaps to center of pads and also to the mark of the
585 - Protect all strcmp() calls with a check for a NULL pointer. Fixes
588 - Fixed the mode buttons which were unresponsive in some versions of
591 - Element names may be edited over the element.
593 - Added --enable-efence for ElectricFence debugging. Off by default
595 - Added --disable-rpath to avoid using rpath for the X libraries.
597 - Added vendor resource file support. This allows lets you specify
598 a set of allowed drill sizes and drc rules for a particular vendor.
600 - Added -action command line option to allow executing an action on
603 - Date and time of compilation added to About dialog.
605 - Fix a bug where the soldermask relief on a new element is 100x smaller
606 than the default when "convert buffer to element" is used.
608 - Fix a name_tree corruption bug when changing an element name.
610 - Don't remove the formatted manual with a 'make clean' since they are
611 part of the distfile.
613 - Let automake handle the html and pdf conversion. This ends up using
614 texi2pdf for the pdf output which seems to do a better job than ps2pdf.
616 - Sort actions by modifier so that both Ctrl<Key>x and <Key>x work.
618 - Fix a SelectByName bug.
620 - Fix non-gcc compilation
622 - Command history added to :
624 - Fixed pinout window crash
626 - Allow Ctrl-drag to copy objects in arrow mode.
628 - Fixed a polygon clearance bug
630 - Fix an arc bounding box calculation error.
632 ========================================================================
633 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20040903
634 ========================================================================
636 - enable -Wall when compiling with gcc. Many compiler warnings have
639 - add a short man page which refers the user to the real documentation
641 - Added ExecuteFile(file) action which allows the execution of several
642 actions contained in a text file.
644 - Added -script <file> flag which specifies a file containing actions
645 to be executed upon startup.
647 - Various documentation improvements
649 - Protect some gcc extensions with tests for gcc. This allows
650 compilation with the IRIX c compiler.
652 - Add support for a background image in the drawing area which can
653 help in importing a layout from a scanned image.
655 - Updated the ~geda library 150 and 300 mil width SOIC packages
656 to remove silk on pads and to more closely follow the IPC
659 - Added support for menu accelerators.
661 - segfault when breaking apart an element with no element selected
664 - autorouter improvements
666 - added more 400mil DIP packages to ~geda library
668 - fix a trace optimizer bug which produced a segfault
670 - other various bug fixes
673 ========================================================================
674 Release Notes for PCB snapshot 20040530
675 ========================================================================
676 This has been an exciting 3 months for PCB. Many improvements have
677 been made in the program as well as additions and improvements to the
678 footprint library. Thanks to everyone who has provided feedback,
681 ----------------------
682 Additions/Improvements
683 ----------------------
684 - Expanded DRC checking
685 - "Realtime" DRC checking
686 - DRC settings are now stored in the board fle
687 - Centroid (X-Y) and bill of materials output
688 - Dynamic menus. Users can now customize the menus via a
689 site-wide, per-user, or per-project menu resource file.
690 - Significant improvements to autorouting of congested designs.
691 - Autorouter can now use power planes.
692 - Improved appearance in autorouter output.
693 - Silk on pads/pins is clipped in RS-274-X output
694 - Ordering is preserved when writing output files so that diff
695 may be effectively used on pcb files.
696 - The autoplace feature now actually works
697 - Added ToggleVisibility action
698 - Most of the database is now kept in rtrees which avoids linear
699 searches. This speeds up operation significantly.
700 - Added SetFlag, ClrFlag, ChangeFlag actions
705 - pin/pad bounding box calculation fixed. Components can
706 now be placed closer to the edge of the board.
707 - miter trace optimization bug.
708 - Fix bug with pins which are enclosed by multiple polygons.
709 - Shorts to unnamed elements and pins are handled correctly.
710 - Various memory leaks fixed.
711 - Fixed some bugs with a really high zoom.
712 - Fixed default media selection in postscript print dialog
713 - Fix some DRC bugs with square pins.
718 - Added SOJ footprint family (~geda library)
719 - Added CTS series 742/3/4/5/6 resistor pack footprints (~cts library)
720 - Added PKG_CONNECTOR_DIL macro to let the HEADER*_1 footprints work
722 - Correct the SDIP footprints (~geda library)
723 - Correct some Minicircuits footprints (~minicircuits library)
724 - Correct some panasonic footprints (~panasonic library)
725 - Change refdes silk size for sockets (~johnstech library)
726 - Increase soldermask relief on some mounting holes
728 - Convert the COMMON_SMT_DIL_MIL and COMMON_SMT_DIL_MM macros
729 used by several other libraries to the hi-res format.
730 - Correct pin count on 100 pin QFP packages (100 not 72)
732 - Correct pin count on HEADER60_2 (60 not 50) (~geda library)
734 ========================================================================
738 (1) New library system. A directory tree is parsed and added to the library
739 selector window. This directory is specified in the config.h file as
740 PCBTREEDIR and should point to a directory where any pcb user that needs to
741 create library elements has write privileges. The "-libtree X" switch will
742 cause pcb to use directory X instead of the installed default for the new
743 library directory. You should continue to be wary of the old library
744 elements, many of them are not quite right. (Just check them carefully before
745 fabing to be sure there are no surprises). My intent is to create a
746 repository for new elements THAT PEOPLE HAVE FABRICATED SUCCESSFULLY in order
747 to grow a reliable library.
749 (2) Element files can now contain layers (line, arcs, polygons), vias and
750 elements. The new library system reads from element files (no need to learn
751 M4). The expanded capability of element files allows you to put useful
752 sub-circuits into the library. For example, a QFP package with a break-out
753 via pattern can be stored as a library element. Be careful with this as the
754 layers are saved simply by their layer number and lose any association with a
755 group (e.g. whether it is the component, or solder-side layer).
757 (3) Improved fascilities for creating elements from drawn objects. Now you
758 can put an element in the buffer, and break it into it's consitutent parts.
759 Paste this to the layout, make changes, then put it back in the buffer to
760 convert to an element. You can also save a buffer's contents to an element
761 file (i.e. add it to the library). Of course element files are still just
762 text files so you can edit them at will. Draw the element outline on the silk
763 layer (lines and arcs, no polygons), use Vias to make pins or holes, and lines
764 on the component and/or solder layers for SMD pads. Number the pins and pads
765 with the name ("n" key) entry, then cut it all to the buffer and select
766 "convert buffer to element". Saved elements always appear in the file in a
767 component-side orientation (even if you save while viewing the solder side).
769 (4) Support for elements with surface-mount pads on both sides of the board.
770 e.g. edge connectors. This also allows creation of elements with multiple
771 pins/pads having the same "number" string. This can be used, for example,
772 to create a DIP footprint that has a pad on top and bottom coincident
773 with each pin. This effectively makes the pins have elongated copper pads
774 on the top and bottom - something several home-made board makers have
775 requested. If you do create an element with multiple pins having the
776 same number, and that number appears in the netlist, they MUST be connected
777 before the board is considered routed. See the "14DIP_oval_pad" example
778 in the "test" section of the library for an example.
780 (5) Support for the strokes library. Compiling with strokes enabled (see
781 config.h) binds the middle button to recognize strokes for the user
782 interface. Zoom in, Zoom out, choose the line, arrow, or via tools, rotate an
783 object, etc. can be done with simple strokes. Check the source code
784 (FinishStroke() in action.c) to see what the strokes are.
786 (6) Better fascilites for panning at high zoom: Shift-button3 down shows the
787 whole layout - move the crosshair to where you want the display centered,
788 then release the mouse button - the previous zoom level is restored, centered
789 at the new location. You can do this while in the middle of drawing, moving,
790 etc. You can also place the cursor in the panner area, and use the arrow keys
791 on the keyboard to scroll half a window view per keypress. Of course you can
792 still drag the screen with button1 with the panner tool (previously known
794 Auto-scrolling is also improved. If you want to use menus, buttons,
795 the panner, placing the pointer over them stops auto-scroll. If you
796 want to go to another window and not auto-scroll, pass the pointer
797 over one of those things before heading to the other window.
799 (7) Auto-router. The auto-router routes with the active line size, via size,
800 and keep-away. It is a grid-less router, and will automatically avoid any
801 existing traces, etc. that you've placed on the board. It uses all layers
802 that are visible when invoked, so turn off any layers you don't want it to
803 use. You can auto-route all rat lines, or selected rat lines. This was
804 written by C. Scott Ananian
806 (8) Fascilities to rip-up tracks and vias that were placed by the
807 auto-router. You can rip-up all auto-routed tracks, or just those that are
808 selected (and were auto-routed).
810 (9) Auto-placement code. It's broken. Don't use it.
812 (10) Many functions added to the menus that were previously accessible only
813 through keys or typed commands. e.g. SetValue(Grid,1), DRC().
815 (11) You can turn on/off the requirement for unique element names. When
816 unique names are required, they may be automatically generated when pasting.
817 Turn on uniqueness for a single layout, turn off if placing several boards in
818 a panel (or if you just want duplicate names). It's in the settings menu.
820 (12) Support for metric grids. Coordinates are still always integer mils,
821 but you can have the grid fall on a regular metric spacing to within
822 +/- 1 mil. Selectable in the "Screen" menu and also with the "SetValue(Grid, x)"
823 command; the value x is still in mils, but it's floating point now. Also
824 the concept of "absolute" grid has been eliminated - just align it where
827 (13) Support for viewing the soldermask. The Screen menu has a selection for
828 turning on/off the display of the solder mask. You can also change the
829 size of mask holes when the mask is displayed by using the
830 "ChangeClearSize(what, change)" function (k key). If the mask is not
831 displayed, this function changes polygon clearances as before. For example
832 you could elliminate all via soldermask holes by selecting everything
833 (make sure vias are turned on), then typing the command:
834 ":ChangeClearSize(SelectedVias, 0)" There is a special case for
835 vias to change the mask diameter equal to the via diameter, by using
836 +0 as the size change.
838 (14) Support for creation/addition of netlist by drawing rat lines.
839 Select "netlist" from the drawing layer, and use the line tool to
840 add nets. Undo removes the rat, but not the created net. To delete
841 a netlist entry, select the connection in the netlist window and
842 hit the backspace key. The "netlist" layer must be the active layer
843 to delete connections like this. This is NOT the recommended way
844 to create a netlist, but a lot of people asked for it.
846 (15) Support for snapping the crosshair to pins/pads even when they're not on
847 grid. Selectable in the "Settings" menu. Thanks to Borges for this
850 (16) Doesn't draw negative lines and arcs in print output unless
851 necessary. It still does this for all pads though. Doesn't technically
852 matter, but there are a lot of bogus gerber viewers out there and
853 people that are easily confused by gerber files that completely meet
856 (17) Added a "Lock" feature that lets you lock an object so it
857 can't be selected, moved, or modified. Very handy for making a
858 board-outline element (e.g. pc104 card) invisible to the Arrow
861 (18) lots of bug fixes (plus, no doubt, lots of newly introduced ones).
863 (19) a tool (in the tools folder) for converting to/from ncap files
864 for auto-routing with MUCS-PCB. I have not tried this myself. Written
865 By Luis Claudio G. Lopes
867 (20) a new build system based on the GNU automake and autoconf tools.
868 This should make compiling on different systems easier than with the
869 old imake based build system.
871 (21) A program for quickly generating QFP elements. Its invoked
872 from the old library (~generic/qfp menu, generic)
874 (22) Increased resolution. The internal unit is now 0.01 mil
875 as opposed to 1.0 mil which was the previous unit.
877 Quick and dirty explanation of some as-yet undocumented features:
879 Netlist window: double-click on a net-name to enable/disable it. A "*"
880 appears next to the name when it is disabled. Disabled means rats nests will
881 ignore the net. Click on a connection to select it (and center it) in the
882 layout window. "Finding" a connection starting from a pin or pad will
883 select it in the netlist window.
885 The "j" key controls whether a line (arc) clears (plow through) polygons or
886 touches them. Newly created lines and arcs follow the setting in the
887 "settings" menu. Put the cursor over the line or arc you want to change, then
888 hit the "j" (j for join) key.
890 The "k" key controls the width of clearance around a line (arc) when it
891 plows. "k" key increases clearance by 2, Shift-K decreases it by 2, also
892 works for pins and vias piercing polygons. The initial value for new objects
893 (but not element pins/pads which is in the element definition)
894 is controlled by the "keepaway" setting, changeable in the "sizes" menu.
896 When drawing lines, you can start a new anchor point without drawing from
897 the previous point by either clicking button3, or Ctrl-button1. DON'T
898 USE BUTTON2 - that would be wrong, even if it sort of works.
900 The Arrow tool is for selecting/deselecting objects, and moving them.
901 Shift-click to add to the existing selection. You can click-drag to draw
902 boxes for box selection. If you click-drag on an already selected item, you
903 will move the selection. If you click-drag on an un-selected item, you will
904 move that item without selecting it. This last technique is the only way to
905 move a point (e.g. end point of a line), and is also the only way to perform
906 moves with rubber-banding (i.e. rubber-banding doesn't work with selections).
907 Moving a selection actually cuts it to a special paste buffer, then pastes it
908 at the new location. Always start a box selection by clicking in an empty
909 region of the board. It may be desireable to turn off some visibility in
910 order to simplify the box selection operation. You can also lock
911 an object to make it invisible to the Arrow tool (so box selections can
912 begin over the object). If you don't configure for
913 strokes, the middle button is bound to the arrow tool.
915 To move an element or silk text to the opposite side of the board, use the
916 "b" key (b for backside) to send it to the opposite side. You can also cut an
917 object to a buffer, switch viewing sides (tab), then paste it. The buffer can
918 be used this way to flip layout traces to the other side too, although if
919 layer groups are used, the precise layer they appear on may not have the
920 color you want, but the connectivity should not change.
923 Installation tip: BE SURE TO INSTALL THE NEW X11 RESOURCE FILE - run
924 make install to do this. If you just want to test without installing,
925 run the pcbtest.sh script in the src directory.