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From: Kai-Martin Knaak <kmk AT familieknaak DOT de>
Subject: Re: [geda-user] Clutterless user interface or even more custom special super features?
Date: Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:56:23 +0200
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Markus Hitter wrote:

> .. I learned that there are no less than three special modes for
> ignoring text, hiding text and/or ignoring anything but text exist.

My use cases:

1) "lock names" 
Many of my SMD symbols have their text placed right in the middle of 
the silk artwork. This makes it easy to recognize which symbol the 
text belongs to. I tend to shrink my boards as much as sensible to 
decrease the cost of production. More often than not this results in  
not enough open space to put refdes or value outside the footprints. 
So text inside the footprints is the only way to go, anyway.
With the text inside it becomes hard to grab and move a footprint 
rather than just its text. So I habitually always activate "only 
names" during placement.

BTW, the string "only names" tends to confuse new users at my place. 
They don't automatically associate a value with a "name". What this 
flag really is about is "text". In addition, text is not actually 
locked in place. It will move in parallel with the footprint. The flag 
is really more an ignore. How about "ignore text"?

2) "only names"
Once done with placement and routing I like to add some finishing 
touches to the silk layer. At this stage I generally don't want to 
manipulate the position of footprints. So an option to ignore 
everything but text comes handy.

In the same vein as above I propose to rename of this option to read 
"only text".

3) "hide names"
Manual routing of densely populated boards benefits from as little 
graphical distraction in the main window as possible. Since I let the 
rats guide me, refdes strings or values are not needed and just 
clutter the view. Deactivating the silk layer completely is an 
inferior option because the silk artwork provides valuable hints as to 
where components are. It would prevent me from moving footprints, too.

In summary, I am glad all three modes exist. I'd even contemplate to 
extend the concept. E.g, shift-click a layer button to ignore it for 
mouse driven actions but still keep it visible.

---<)kaimartin(>---