--- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Bernd Wiebus <bernd.wie...@...> wrote: > > Hello Tony. > > > > > > I can't seem find a way to produce curved tracks. Graphic curves can be > > placed on > > any layer except copper, seemingly. There are other microwave features that > > seem > > quite useful, but curves and circles would be even better. > > > > It is not so easy to place curves on the copper layer, but it can be > done. > Look at the attachment for the modul "Danger.emp" ;-) > > This ist done with the modul editor. The "trick" is, to make auxiliary > lines and circels at the silk screen, switch to a fine raster and draw > along this auxiliary lines with small cooper lines. After this, you can > delete the silk screen lines. People with artistic skills may also draw > something by "free hand". > > I think, something similar could be done on a board, but i have not yet > tested it. But i think it is always much work to do. > > With best regards: Bernd Wiebus alias dl1eic > Hello Bernd,
Thanks for the reply. I'm only a beginner with KiCad although very experienced with other packages, but I suspected this was the case. I don't really understand why the ability to draw curves is restricted to non-copper layers; surely most of the code to put them on routing layers is already there? In fact, the delay line widget in the microwave toolbar does it, but only by piecewise approximation, rather as you have suggested. The result, although pretty, is not then editable in a deterministic way. Microwave boards often require accurate curves and circles. Until this feature is added, I think an external utility that automates the geometry into piecewise approximations, which can be imported into modules is the only way. But the problem remains that anything like that is not really editable. Perhaps when I've done that a few times, I'll be inclined to dive into the code to see what needs to be done to add proper curved traces with centre, radius and start and stop angle parameters, even if they are actually realised in a piecewise manner. Just as a matter of interest, what happens to curved tracks that are placed by Freerouter and then imported into KiCad from a .SES file? Regards, Tony
