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From:	"Chris Smith (space DOT dandy AT icloud DOT com) [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com]" <geda-user AT delorie DOT com>
Subject:	[geda-user] PCB interface (ECAD vs. MCAD)
Message-id:	<76520AC3-3E8D-4F80-A912-AB076DD8D0C6@icloud.com>
Date:	Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:07:36 +0100
To:	geda-user AT delorie DOT com
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Reply-To:	geda-user AT delorie DOT com

Out of interest, does anyone know why there is so much dissimilarity between ECAD and 2D MCAD tools?  It seems to me that PCB layout is just MCAD with added semantics: connectivity between objects and relationships between layers.  In fact if I had to develop a PCB layout program I’d probably start with something like QCad and add electrical semantics.

The typical MCAD interface seems to have everything I’d want in terms of interface:
* precise drawing tools: snapping and positioning.
* duplication and arrangement of objects.
* scripting.
* blocks (footprints) with arbitrary shapes on multiple layers.

Is there anything about MCAD that makes it particularly unsuited for PCB layout?

Regards,
Chris
—
Chris Smith <space DOT dandy AT icloud DOT com>

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