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DesignSpark PCB: Wish List

16 Feb 2012

nigelmercier

United Kingdom

[Copy of email sent to Support]

I met one of your guys at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2012 regarding a Wish List. He suggested I send it to the normal support address, so here are my initial thoughts:

 Extension to the Technology Transfer function giving the option to replace any styles in an open design
with those from the Technology File, including the updating of the associated components in the library.

Eliminate the bogus styles (_1, _2 etc) that get created automatically, or explain how to avoid them.

Ability to move all selected objects to individually lock onto current grid, moving up and left if required.
Block move does not do this, perhaps it should be an option by holding a key.

Additional Keyboard shortcuts for: Edit Mitre, Values, Select All (Ctrl+A), Unselect All (Shift+Ctrl+A),

Change in context menu Update Component to give action of Update Selected Component instead of all (possible bug).

Extension to Rotate to step in 45 degree steps with say Ctrl+R.

Extension to Drag function to move in 1/10 Grid with Ctrl, and 1/40 Grid with Shift+Ctrl.

Extension to Properties dialog to allow parameter changes to objects, for example length, height, position.

Update Selected Component and Update Components to retain individual settings for Packages and Attributes etc.

Easier way to select the end of a track or line in order to drag to extend; currently often goes into Edit
Segment.

Add option Flip Copper Only to Print dialog, so component names or values are not reversed when creating a placement printout.

[UPDATE]

The facility to select a number of similar items (such as Pins) and use N to cycle through the parts within the selection (such as all the Pin Names, Pin Numbers etc), as can be done on a single object.

 

Any thoughts from other users?

Replies

nigelmercier

United Kingdom
6 weeks ago

UPDATE #2

 

I had asked for a feature to allow a picture background on which components could be placed – but I'm told this is not possible due to scale problems. May I suggest that a lesser alternative would be to provide a picture viewer on a tab (with zoom and pan), so at least the picture can be switched into view. I normally work with two monitors, having just spent a week using a notebook PC, trying to do this on a single screen is a nightmare. 

While on the subject of tabs, are there any plans to switch to using the Windows MDI instead of tabs?

Another suggestion: I often find that in both the schematic and PCB editors, I end up with connections or tracks that overlay each other. They look like a single connection or track, but can be moved apart. Some way to consolidate such objects, especially in the schematic editor, would be very useful.

MikeBK

United Kingdom
5 weeks ago

Hi Nigel,

We should decide wheter we have this conversation via email or here on the forums, otherwise I would have to duplicate all emai lreplies I sent you and post them here. Let's stick to emails, as most of our communication is already there. Thanks for your feedback

chris807

Denmark
12 weeks ago

I would love to see the posibility of importing your own 3d models for custom components. Maybe

in standard .obj format?

Pete Wood

United Kingdom
12 weeks ago

Thanks for your thoughts, I shall also tweet the link to your post.