**Idea #1**
When designing PCB in
the first phase, we get something that looks more like a spaghetti
plate than a PCB.
OK, the computer doesn't know where each item
should be. Now the work begins, I set the PCB outline and begin to
arrange the elements. And here I am getting nervous. To do this, I
need to find the element in this tangle (fortunately it is Ctrl + F)
and either move it manually to the selected place or enter its
location in the appropriate property fields, 99.9%, however, it will
be manually moved.
At the moment I miss one really simple
function. I would like to right-click a given place in the tile and
select "Place item here" in the context menu. After
selecting this function, I get a window like in the search (Ctrl + F)
but instead of finding the item where it is on the project at the
moment, the program will move it automatically in the place where I
just clicked the mouse. Or similarly. I press Ctrl + F I get a search
window and in addition to the "Find" button I also have a
"Stick to cursor" button (or some other name ;-)) The point
is that after selecting this function the searched item (of course if
it is) is "glued" "To the mouse pointer without having
to hold down any mouse button and without changing the displayed part
of the PCB! Now I just point the place with the mouse to place the
element, click the left button and it's ready! This function will
definitely be appreciated by anyone who designs slightly more
complicated systems.The function can also
have the extension:
1. After placing an
element on the board, right-click on one of the pads of this element
and in the popup menu I get a list of elements connected to it
through this pad. I choose the element that sticks to my mouse
cursor and as above I place it where necessary. The list of such
elements should show information about which of them is already
placed on the board (e.g. completely "free" elements, i.e.
without any copper path from them will be green, and those with the
beginning of the path or blocked by the Lock function will be red
and after they are selected) do not stick to the cursor, but the
program focuses the screen on them as if they were selected by
traditional Ctrl + F)
2. Exactly as above
but click on the line symbolizing the connection without a path yet,
3. Exactly as above
but already click on some placed copper path.
**Idea #2**
When rotating the
elements on the PCB, I would like the rotation not to concern the
element prefix, which I have previously put into work where it is
needed and now it turns out that I need to rotate the capacitor 180
degrees. I suggest that during the function Shift + R be available,
rotating the element but without its prefix. In this case, the prefix
will be "glued" to the PCB.
**Idea #3**
The "Falcon Eye"
function is welcome. The point is that after selecting a specific
element on the PCB and selecting the function (it should be max 2
mouse clicks or preferably a hot key on the keyboard) a window with a
diagram focused on this element will appear. Very helpful when
placing elements at the beginning of the design. It would be good if
such a window could be pinned to the screen when designing the PCB.
In this window, the selected element is always in its center, but you
can change the zoom of the content of this window.
**Idea #4**
And finally the last
suggestion. Here I realize that the most difficult. It's about
swapping pins. Especially needed when designing digital circuits when
components have multiple pins with the same functionality (e.g. ports
in microcontrollers). Choosing a specific processor foot is very
often at the last minute when designing a PCB so as to simplify the
path route. I would like to be able to indicate that (after choosing,
for example, IC U8) swap with the port .... and here I indicate with
which. And this change also has an effect, of course, in the diagram.
Of course, I accept the possible need to improve the layout of the
pattern with dignity ....
Hypno
