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Subject:	Re: [geda-user] PCB interface (ECAD vs. MCAD)
From:	Stefan Salewski <mail AT ssalewski DOT de>
To:	geda-user AT delorie DOT com
Date:	Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:13:24 +0200
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On Mon, 2015-07-13 at 09:07 +0100, Chris Smith (space DOT dandy AT icloud DOT com)
[via geda-user AT delorie DOT com] wrote:
> Out of interest, does anyone know why there is so much dissimilarity
> between ECAD and 2D MCAD tools?

I was thinking about that idea years ago, and have mentioned it on this
list. One "idea" was to having a EDA mode for programs like Inkscape.
But at that time there was no FOSS mechanical cad program which really
all people liked.

And of course there are some important differences: Schematic layout is
at a symbolic level, without exact dimensions, but with connectivity and
attributes. (Tools like KDia are similar). PCB layout has a simple
mechanical component, but much more: DRC, polygons,gerber export,
autorouter. And of course there is also simulation.

Your basic idea is good. It would make sense to have a common core for
mechanical and electrical cad. Or maybe you can find a fine mechanical
cad tool which you can convert into an ecad tool. 

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