Re: gEDA-user: Part specification

[sdb@cloud9.net (Stuart Brorson)]

Here's a suggestion:  Create a "description" attribute, and use
gattrib to enter it multiple times.

Ales just put the latest gattrib release into CVS.  I suggest you get
it from there & install it by doing 
"./autogen.sh && ./configure  && make && make install". 

Here's how I would use gattrib to accomplish your task:

1.  Seed gattrib.  In gschem, double click on one component and add a
"description" attrib with whatever description you want.  

(The reason you have to do this is that gattrib doesn't let you enter
an entirely new attrib column yet.  It has to find at least one
pre-existing instance of an attrib to create the attrib column.  This
will be improved in the course of time. . . .)

2.  Create a link between your gschemrc and a new gattribrc,
preferably in your local directory:  "ln -s gschemrc gattribrc"

(This, too will change in the course of time.  Eventually, gEDA will
transition to having only one RC file for all programs.  Right now,
each program has its own RC file, and as the number of programs grows,
so does the number of -- usually redundant -- RC files.)

3.  Run gattrib on your design files:  "gattrib foo1.sch foo2.sch".
In gattrib, under the "components" tab, you will see all your
components and all your attributes in a spreadsheet format.  You can
then edit your attribs, enter new attribs, etc.  In your case, enter
your descriptions under the "description" column.

4.  When you are done, save your design out.  The new descriptions you
entered will be embedded in your .sch file, but they will not be
displayed, so they won't take lots of room.  You can see them -- and
toggle their visibility -- if you double click on the component in
gschem. 

Please let me know if you have any problems getting, compiling, or
using gattrib.  Ales has put the latest version into CVS.  It is an
improved version which allows you to edit component attributes,
displays pin attributes, and also works with
GTK-2.2, so I would like to get some feedback on whether it works for
other people.  (It works for me & Ales . . . .)

Stuart



> 
> Hello
> 
> How do I correctly solve the following requirement?
> 
> I want to have in the "device" attribute in the schematic a short
> description, for example "NE592" or "switch" and in the
> bill of materials a longer, more detailed version, for example:
> NE592_DIL14
> 2-pole_switch_gold_plated_6mm_hole
> DC_power_central_pin_2.5mm_panel_female 
> Green_5mm_diffuse_LED
> 
> I don't want to have these long strings in the schematic, because they
> take up too much space.
> 
> Is some elegant solution using attributes possible?
> 
> Cl<
>