Re: gEDA-user: What is the standard of gEDA tools and PCB

[Xtian Xultz <xultz@ig.com.br>]

Sorry, but I realy didnt understood why the line doesnt draw where you
want, the only problem I figure is when you draw in a grid like 5 and
you want a line 3 mils far...   Then is just a problem of grid size.




On Sun, 18 May 2003 09:34:28 -0700
Stephen Meier <smeier@AlchemyResearch.com> wrote:

> Intuitive is good and powerfull is good and efficient is good. Classic 
> problem is that these can be mutually exclusive in a single type of 
> interface.
> 
> For example:
> 
> 
> 
> Method 1:
> 
> Using PCB's GUI I can draw a line - once i figured out how to get the 
> pen tool - I can't do it by clicking on the line icon on the display - I 
> have to hit  the <F2> key. Then I left click where i want the line to 
> start (or close to where I want the line to start) then I drag to where 
> I want the line to end and I left click the mouse again. Problem is that 
> as often as not while the line is close to where I want it it isn't 
> exactly where I want it.
> 
> Efficiency: minimum 1 key stroke and 2 mouse clicks
> Result: line on display usually near where I want it but rairly 
> perfectly where it should be
> 
> 
> 
> Method 2:
> 
> I use emacs,  another wonderfully intutive tool ;), to open up the 
> project.pcb file and I hand type, or copy/paste a line into the file. In 
> this case I can set everything I want. Start Points, End Points, Line 
> Widths. Now I have to shut down pcb and restart it. I think one of the 
> very nice features about pcb is that  the files are hand editable.
> 
> Efficiency: Lots of key strokes, shut down pcb restart or reload pcb
> Result: If I have done my math correctly line is where I want it... If 
> not re-calculate, re-edit, re-start
> 
> 
> 
> Possible Future Method:
> 
> Does anyone remember the command line? Why not have a command line where 
> a user can give pcb a command such as
> 
> Line 10 200 10 400 5
> 
> And presto, the line appears in the active layer.
> 
> 
> 
> Possible Future Method with GUI:
> 
> Use GUI to place line, use GUI to select line, use command line to tell 
> line where exactly to be  
> 
> or
> 
> Use GUI to place line, use GUI to select line, use gui with pop-up 
> dialog window to set selected line parameters  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I am not suggesting the elimination of the classic PCB GUI. I am 
> thinking about adding an interface that would allow external commands to 
> be passed to PCB. This interface could eventually be used to create GUI 
> type interfaces, command line interfaces and maybe text editor 
> interfaces. Those who love the PCB GUI would still  have it. Those who 
> want something more would have a starting point.
> 
> 
> 
> Steve M.
> 
> 
>