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Subject: Re: [geda-user] PCB interface (ECAD vs. MCAD)
From: "Chris Smith (space DOT dandy AT icloud DOT com) [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com]" <geda-user AT delorie DOT com>
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Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:11:43 +0100
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Reply-To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com

On 15 Jul 2015, at 04:29, Evan Foss (evanfoss AT gmail DOT com) [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com] <geda-user AT delorie DOT com> wrote:
> 
> On Tue, Jul 14, 2015 at 1:03 PM, Vaclav Peroutka (vaclavpe AT seznam DOT cz)
> [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com] <geda-user AT delorie DOT com> wrote:
>> 
>> However it nearly always has some kind of panel mounting. When I start a
>> layout, I nearly always want to start with the mechanical components, to
>> say: distribute these switches/LEDS between here and here, on 20mm centres.
>> This is trivial with 2D MCAD, but cumbersome with PCB.
>> 
>> 
>> Good idea. All profesional flows start with "mechanical" design of PCB -
>> mounting holes, connectors, LEDs, switches etc. These footprints must not be
>> touched later. Then placement and layout of all non-mechanical components
> 
> I like this a lot. Could we use a library that already exists to
> import dxf or something? Most of my projects for work do start this
> way. I do have some where the prototyping and etc are more important
> than a case.

I’m not sure that really solves the problem.  Or at least it introduces new ones: you have to associate footprints with their DXF representations, or just use the DXF as a graphical underlay — like you can do with raster images at the moment.  Useful but not optimal.

I think DXF import (and export) could be useful, in the same way that I find Gerber import in QCad useful.  However in general I think it would be better to make PCB’s drawing tools work in a much more CADish manner.

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