On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 6:28 PM, NeonJohn <[email protected]> wrote: > > Let's try this again. Maybe it didn't go out the first time. > > ----- > > Is there any way to move a trace from one layer to another without > having to redraw the trace? This would seem to be a simple thing to do > but for the life of me, I can't figure out how. Even after multiple RTFMs. > > While I'm asking questions, is there a faster way to enter NEW trace > widths than having to hit Dimensions->tracks and vias? > > Thanks, > John >
John: I think this went out fine the first time; I'm just not sure that anybody has a good answer. I haven't really used the PCB program yet, but if it's anything like eeschema, it is, in some ways, still a bit immature. For example, in eeschema, trying to cut a schematic section from one page and paste it onto another page is a bit more complicated than it ought to be, and will lose all your reference designators. I saw that you are coming from expresspcb.com, and I share your pain. expresspcb has a nice package for laying out boards (with no real DRC) -- I tell my co-workers it's a "drawing program." Their prices are reasonable, they boards are fine, and if it weren't for their paranoia that locks your data up, I would consider them perfect for small designs. For one thing, your current issue of "move a trace to another layer" is, as you know, a single button press in expresspcb. For another thing, components (KiCad "modules") can be made on the fly. Lay down a few pads and some silk, and then say "hey, I want to use this again -- make a component out of it for me." Simple and effective. Personally, though, I think that the kicad developers have a better shot at creating the sort of UI that I would like to see than the (otherwise more mature) geda project. Every time I've played with geda, I come away mystified. At least with kicad, I have gotten some useful work done in a reasonable amount of time. So I'm moving slowly towards kicad. For now, I'm still using expresspcb on a few boards, but I am doing the schematics in eeschema. I have written a utility (available at kipy.org) that will dump my kicad schematic into a netlist that expresspcb can use. At least then I can visually check inside expresspcb that all the pins on each net are hooked up properly according to my schematic. So long term, I think they will get there. Short term, though, the UI probably isn't as productive as what you are used to. Best regards, Pat
