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Subject:	Re: [geda-user] PHDL to PCB conversion path?
From:	John Doty <jpd AT noqsi DOT com>
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Date:	Thu, 7 Mar 2013 20:37:04 -0700
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On Mar 7, 2013, at 3:21 AM, peter dudley wrote:

> I see gnetlist converts gEDA schematic files to something that geda/pcb can read. 

It does far more than that: it can export designs to many layout and simulation programs, as well as generate partslists/bills of materials.

>  Does it make sense for us to write gEDA schematic files?

Quite possibly. While creating schematics with human-readable graphics is an AI problem, schematics that gnetlist can handle are much easier. See http://www.gedasymbols.org/user/john_doty/tools/pins2gsch.html

Your problem is only slightly more complicated, I think. You'll need to put attributes like footprint and value into a symbol, but that's easy.

>  Is there a simpler or more stable file format we should write to get into this open source layout tool.

gEDA schematic file format has been quite stable in recent years. While it's more complicated than you need, it's not difficult to deal with. If you use it, you'll be able to export to pcb and many other programs via gnetlist.

John Doty              Noqsi Aerospace, Ltd.
http://www.noqsi.com/
jpd AT noqsi DOT com

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