On 12/4/2013 3:56 PM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: Wayne Stambaugh <[email protected]> >> To: Cirilo Bernardo <[email protected]>; >> "[email protected]" <[email protected]> >> Cc: >> Sent: Thursday, December 5, 2013 7:36 AM >> Subject: Re: [Kicad-developers] Development of IDFv3 export >> >> On 12/4/2013 2:46 PM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote: >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> >>>> From: Wayne Stambaugh <[email protected]> >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Cc: >>>> Sent: Thursday, December 5, 2013 1:24 AM >>>> Subject: Re: [Kicad-developers] Development of IDFv3 export >>>> >>>> On 12/4/2013 4:02 AM, Cirilo Bernardo wrote: >>>>> Hi folks, >>>>> >>>>> I've just tested a very bare IDFv3 exporter since I >> didn't have >>>> the patience to manually model a board with almost 300 thru-holes. The >> code >>>> works in much the same way as the gencad and vrml exporters. I just >> have to >>>> clean up the code, sort out the dialog issues (I cry whenever I have to >> work >>>> with wxformbuilder), and prepare the patches. >>>>> >>>>> What the code does: >>>>> 1. exports a rectangular board based on the board bounding box; >> the board >>>> is reduced in size to compensate for a 0.1mm line width. The intention >> is to >>>> eventually create an outline from the information in the edge layer; >> however, >>>> the information in the edge layer will require some processing to >> present it in >>>> an IDF compliant form. >>>> >>>> What is missing from the board file format that is required to export >> to >>>> IDFv3? None the the other exporters required any changes to the board >>>> file format. I'm not thrilled about the idea of changing the board >> file >>>> format just to satisfy exporting to another file format. >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> The change to the board format would be to support the IDF library and >> future solid model work. Basically a scheme is needed to specify information >> for >> multiple types of 3D information as opposed to only VRML. The current IDF >> code >> only exports a board with holes though, so no change is necessary to >> accommodate >> this; any proposed changes to the format are still a future thing and >> require >> more thought. >>> >>> - Cirilo >>> >>> >> >> As far as I tell this would only be required if you needed to import IDF >> files in which case you would only need to add a file type to the model >> definition. Before I would consider such a change, I would require the >> implementer to create a well designed plug in architecture for loading >> and saving various model file types similar to the design used by the >> board plugin architecture. This would prevent the mess we used to have >> in regard to loading third party footprint library and board files in >> Pcbnew. >> >> >> Wayne >> > > No problem. I think for now I'll leave the first cut of the IDF exporter > simply exporting rectangular boards with holes and a 3mm extrusion of the > module bounding boxes; this should be possible to implement in a fairly small > patch. If you prefer I continue development to the stage where I can do a > correct export of the outline before submitting a patch, just let me know. > > I'll have a closer look at the code as time permits and think about what > needs to be done for future solid model work. Ultimately I'll have to put > time into the plugin architecture that you mentioned, but I'm keen to add to > KiCad's ability to generate 3D models which MCAD folks can work with. > > - Cirilo >
I think you will be better served giving it some thought up front. It's always a lot more work to go back and fix it after the fact. _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers Post to : [email protected] Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kicad-developers More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
