pcb-rnd knowledge pool

• M4 footprints: howto - m4fp_howto by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-11-22
  How to use old geda/pcb M4 footprints as parametric footprint in pcb-rnd.
   
• Using the MUCS autorouter with pcb-rnd... a HOWTO - mucs by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2018-01-01
  How to use the MUCS external autorouter with pcb-rnd.
   
• Thermal tool howto, for adding thermals to padstacks in pcb-rnd - thermal_howto by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2018-02-05
  Introduction to the use of the thermal tool and available thermal styles for pins, pads, vias and padstacks.
   
• Traces to silkscreen - trace2silk by Hannu 'Vuokko' Vuolasaho on 2018-03-10
  On a printed circuit board, the silk print is many times a good documentation source. In this mini howto it is shown how to make really well documenting layout by duplicating the top copper traces on silk. Another usage of the silk print print is to make PCB art.
   
• Altium to pcb-rnd conversion - altium by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-02-01
  Howto convert altium boards using an external tool and pcb-rnd
   
• How to merge two boards - board_merge by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2016-10-08
  Sometimes two board files developed idependently need to be merged int a third, combined board. This mini-howto describes three different methods to merge boards.
   
• External autorouter: c-pcb - c-pcb by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-10-01
  Autorouting using the external auto router c-pcb. This howto guides the user through all steps, from c-pcb installation to routing using pcb-rnd GUI.
   
• Exotic and complex footprint creation using FidoCadJ - fidocadj by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-03-09
  Sometimes there are complex or exotic footprints that need to be made which are most easily achieved with bezier curve, cubic spline and ellipsoidal features in addition to the usual rectilinear elements. Fidocadj is a CAD program good in those. This howto demonstrates the bridge between pcb-rnd and fidocadj.
   
• Line, Polygon and Arc objects now supported in pcb-rnd font glyphs - fontedit by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-04-09
  Howto for the built-in font editor, plus some tips about the lihata based font file format and about using arcs and polygons in fonts.
   
• Footprints: how to set pick-and-place origin of a subcircuit - fp_pnp_orig by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-xx-xx
  Some footprints are asymmetric or have features on the top so the best point for grabbing them in a pick-and-place machine is not the geometrical center or the point that is practical for grabbing the subcircuit for GUI editing. This howto describes manually setting a differnt pick-and-place origin for those cases.
   
• Automatic routing (builtin router, freerouting_cli and external freerouting gui) - freerouting by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-02-04
  Howto for pcb-rnd and the external autorouters freerouting_cli and freerouting
   
• Importing HPGL plot data into pcb-rnd PCB layouts - hpgl by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-09-08
  Howto on importing HPGL plots for mechanical drawings.
   
• Installing and using imp_setup - imp_setup by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-06-07
  The impedance setup script is a user script that provides a simple, graphical, interactive way to set up layer group properties and routing styles to ensure trace impedance on transmission lines (e.g. microstrip). This node is a mini-howto for setting up and using the script.
   
• User scripts from EDAkrill: via tenting - script_krill by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-06-21
  This howto demonstrates how to download an user script from EDAkrill and how to use it for tenting or untenting vias.
   
• MorphPolygon(): sharply segmneted ring - segring by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-10-28
  This video-howto demonstrates drawing a sharply segmented ring of exact sizes with pcb-rnd using the MorphPolygon() action.
   
• Home reflow of SMD components using a hot plate or skillet. - smd_reflow by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2018-03-20
  A howto for simple and inexpensive hot plate or skillet reflow of SMD components on PCB layouts.
   
• How to safely check out an old revision of pcb-rnd - svn_to_old by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-12-28
  A simple svn up -r5000 will not result in a compilable rev 5000 in the local working copy, because of all the svn externals under trunk/src_3rd/. This mini-howto explains the reasons and the solution.
   
• Testing guide for the test sprint - testsprint by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2016-07-16
  Mini-howto on joining the project as an user on a test sprint.
   
• How to cross-compile pcb-rnd 2.1.4 to windows on *nix - win32-cross-2.1.4 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-10-25
  This howto is about compiling stable release 2.1.4. It was the first release with official windows support, before the infrastrcuture for cross compiling became mature enough in pcb-rnd, thus a lot of manual patching and tweaking is involved.
   
• How to cross-compile recent versions of pcb-rnd to windows on *nix - win32-cross-2.4.0 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-10-25
  This howto is about compiling stable release 2.2.x, 2.3.x. and 2.4.0. These versions are from before the completion of librnd split, so this procedure does not require librnd compiled separately. New versions starting from 3.0.0 require a different procedure.
   
• How to cross-compile recent versions of pcb-rnd to windows on *nix - win32-cross by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-10-25
  This howto is about compiling the latest svn version of pcb-rnd, starting from version 3.0.0.
   
• Configuring export_xy to output a custom csv - xy_template by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-04-19
  Plugin export_xy writes the output file using a named template. The template is one of multiple configured templates. The configuration is coming from the normal pcb-rnd configuration system. This howto describes creating a new, custom csv template as an user configuration.
   
• Tutorials for using pcb-rnd - Itutorials by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-06-19
  This node is a collection of links to user tutorials for various levels of pcb-rnd users from beginners to advanced.
   
• Tracing boards from imported photos - background_image by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-05-26
  How to use the pcb-rnd to reproduce a board by tracing copper tracks and vias importing a photo.
   
• Copper polygon pull away from board edge - board_edge_copper by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-12-24
  For some boards or fabbing processes, copper polygons shall not extend to the routed edge of the board. This is often called "pull back" and can be achieved combining existing features in pcb-rnd. It can also be automated using an user script, providing both GUI and CLI access.
   
• Internal connections in footprints and subcircuits - intconn by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2013-09-01
  
   
• How to maintain a custom menu file - menu_custom by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-04-27
  
   
• Interactive panelization with GUI - panel1 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-09-17
  
   
• Editing polygons in pcb-rnd - poly_edit by Erich Heinzle on 2018-01-17
  Show how the polygons can be drawn, modified, have holes added, and how various settings affect their edges.
   
• Making power traces with the polyhatch command in pcb-rnd - power_traces by Erich Heinzle on 2018-01-16
  Show how the polyhatch and subtraction soldermask layer can be used to make high current traces on copper pours.
   
• Index: scripting pcb-rnd - Iscript by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-05-19
  Enumerate various ways pcb-rnd can be scripted, allowing the user to extend the functionality of pcb-rnd or automate repetitive tasks or integrated pcb-rnd as a converter/generator in a toolchain or build system.
   
• Index: user guide - Iuguide by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-02-23
  Editing a PCB board is a complex workflow with many aspects. This user guide targets new users and demonstrates some of the most common aspects referencing to mini-howtos.
   
• (Ab)using pcb-rnd for generic 2d vector drawing - abuse_drawing by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-11-12
  While pcb-rnd is not the perfect 2d drawing program, for some applications it may be more convenient than some popular alternatives. This short node demonstrates how it can be done.
   
• Alien format: text test cases - alien_text by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-05-17
  This article describes a series of proper test cases that provides the easier way for completly reverse engineering and testing support for text loaded from an alien format.
   
• Using and editing arcs on layouts in pcb-rnd - arc_edit by Erich Heinzle on 2018-01-17
  Show how arcs can be drawn, modified, and how various settings affect their use.
   
• DNP and board build options with asm - asm_dnp by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-07-09
  Practical examples on configuring the asm plugin for DNP (Do Not Populate) and different board build options.
   
• Autobuild: how to install your host system - autobuild_hreq by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-11-30
  Setting up an autobuild host: what software to run on what hardware and what to install on it.
   
• Protel Autotrax/Easytrax layout file import and export - autotrax by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-07-07
  How to load and save boards in Protel's Autotrax/Easytrax board format.
   
• Back annotation to gschem - backann by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2015-08-30
  Back annotation of pin swaps and footprint changes using pcb-rnd and a recent GIT version of gEDA/gschem.
   
• Background Image: displaying a background image while editing a layout - background_image_old by Erich Heinzle VK5HSE on 2017-01-05
  Duplication of an existing design from a photograph of a PCB, or from an image scanned from a book, or from a screenshot from an electronic publication, is made easier by being able to display the image in the background of the layout being edited. The image stretches to fit the height and width of the current layout.
   
• Bitmap import (parametric footprint) - bitmap by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-04-16
  Demonstrate how to use bitmap(), the parametric footprint for generating bitmaps from files (e.g. png or jpeg).
   
• Best practices for bug reporting - bugrep by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-02-10
  Optional: tips on how to write the most useful, self-contained bugreports. Best practices on writing bugreports and rationale how these tricks help fixing the bugs.
   
• How to configure cam jobs - cam_conf by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-07-14
  Demonstrate how to configure new export jobs in the cam plugin. Covers both technical aspects and practical tips on creating vendor job configs that can be shared with other users.
   
• CAM switchover: how to use CAM jobs instead of direct exporting? - cam_switch by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-03-22
  We are switching from export-specific hacks, like the gerber export plugin's --name-style argument, to the generic CAM job syntax. This article describes how pcb-rnd users are affected.
   
• The common -rnd SVN commit log message format - commitmsg by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-06-21
  We use scripts for speeding up writing the changelog. The script uses svn commit log for input. Writing the changelog is still a lot of very boring manual work. To help that process and reduce the overhead, please stick to the commit message format specified in this document.
   
• How to contribute - contrib1 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-04-29
  What sort of contribution works with pcb-rnd? How to best join your effort with the long term goals of the project?
   
• How not to contribute - contrib2 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-04-09
  What sort of contribution is not welcome in pcb-rnd community and why. What's the economy behind contributing, how you can very easily differentiate between valuable and invaluable attempts.
   
• Cross section view: layers and groups - cross_sect by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-12-28
  Cross section view of the board allows the user to manipulate the layer stack in a visual way.
   
• Coordinated User Contribution Project - cucp by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-11-06
  We have a growing mountain of user doable tasks, ranging from coordinated testing to documentation. The main problem seems to be time and coordination. As an attempt to fix these, the CUCP is introduced.
   
• Cycledrag: cycle through which object is selected - cycdrag by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-12-25
  When the user clicks at a point for dragging an object, there may be multiple objects under the cursor. This feature allows the user to select which one to drag.
   
• ddraft: measuring out numeric coords - ddraft_sot23 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-10-21
  Demonstrate how to use ddraft to measure out fixed points in space given by numeric coords. The example is placing the pads for a sot23 accurately.
   
• Distalign parameter gallery - distalign by Edward Comer on 2018-07-18
  Gallery of photo mode renderns of the effects of each dist/align parameter.
   
• Loading drc_query scripts - drc_load by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-05-19
  Two of the most important advantages of the new drc_query system is that users can write/manage their own DRC scripts and that those scripts can be shared and loaded by other users. This article describes how to load and use such DRC scripts.
   
• DRC: typical use cases - drc_typical by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-05-20
  Every production board should be ran through the Design Rule Checker (DRC) before sent to the fab house. This pool node lists and explains typical and practical use cases for the new DRC system, serving both as guideline and checklist.
   
• Zone based short checking - drc_zone_clr by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-05-18
  On some complext boards a single global value for copper-copper gap between different networks is not sufficient, but the board has "zones": different regions where different rules apply. A typical example is when the power supply section of the board has larger gaps for high voltage reasons while the rest of the board should be routed tightly with low voltage signals. This article describes how to implement the DRC checks differently per region: with custom doc layers, polygons and a simple drc_query script.
   
• Converting Eagle (.brd) layouts to pcb-rnd (external tool) - eagle by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-03-07
  How to convert Eagle xml files to pcb-rnd, gEDA, KiCad using the external tool translate2geda.
   
• pcb-rnd's native support for Eagle XML (.brd) files - eagle2 by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-05-08
  How to load Eagle xml files in pcb-rnd.
   
• Importing Cadsoft Eagle Binary layouts and libraries into pcb-rnd - eagle3 by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-12-15
  How to load Eagle binary files in pcb-rnd.
   
• Importing Kicad eeschema netlists into pcb-rnd - eeschema by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-02-20
  How to import netlist+footprint data from KiCad's eeschema. This feature allows the schematics author to use KiCad and the PCB layout engineer to use pcb-rnd in a team.
   
• Exporting the board in STL - export_stl by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-08-10
  The main purpose of export_stl is to provide 3d output to mechanical CAD programs. The 3d model includes at least the board outline but can also include holes, cutouts and component models.
   
• External 3d view - ext_3d by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-12-11
  pcb-rnd does not have a 3d engine, but can export the board and optional part models in various 3d file formats. With a thin glue layer it is easily possible to "integrate" an external 3d viewer and run it from within pcb-rnd and update the view with a hotkey.
   
• Extended objects: bus - extobj_bus by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-03-08
  Thje bus extended object is intended for simplify drawing bundles of evenly spaced parallel traces. The two main use cases are differential pairs and parallel buses.
   
• Extended objects: dimension lines - extobj_dim by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-12-14
  
   
• Extended objects: line-of-vias - extobj_lov by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-12-14
  
   
• Ringdove file naming conventions - file_naming by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2022-07-14
  The Ringdove file naming poll closed on 2022-07-14 on the pcb-rnd mailing list has set the new conventions we use for naming our files. These conventions are recommended for users to use in new projects and is mandatory for Ringdove developers when writing new code and documentation.
   
• Exporting plugged and filled vias separately using CAM partials - filledvia by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-09-20
  This example demonstrates how to use partial CAM export to sort different vias into different excellon files, by via process (filled, plugged, normal).
   
• Using existing pcb layouts as footprint element libraries in pcb-rnd - fp_board by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-06-06
  Tutorial to using an existing design (in any board format pcb-rnd can load) as a footprint library.
   
• Get a tEDAx netlist from a gschem schematic. - gaf_tedax by Alain V. on 2017-12-29
  How to get a tEDAx netlist using "xorn netlist" command
   
• genxproj: Generic X11 project manager - genxproj_a1 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-12-25
  Generic, X11 based project management tool that can run multiple differnet X11 applications and glue them together to form a suite. Genxproj can force-embed the application windows and present the suite GUI as a tabbed or split view.
   
• Producing gerber drill files - gerber_drill by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-03-31
  Most often we send the "outline" layer in gerber but drills/slots in excellon to our fab. Long term the industry is likely to switch from excellon drill files to gerber. This article explains how to produce gerber drill files using the CAM syntax.
   
• pcb-rnd: getting started - getting_started by Cuvoodoo on 2021-10-27
  Video tutorial and related material for new users for the first steps in learing to use pcb-rnd. Guides through a simple board design with pcb-rnd from importing schematics to generating gerbers, preparing for fab.
   
• pcb-rnd: getting started - getting_started2 by Majenko, Igor2 on 2023-11-15
  Video tutorial and related material for new users for the first steps in learning to use pcb-rnd. Guides through a simple board design with pcb-rnd from importing schematics from sch-rnd to finishing a 2 layer layout.
   
• Setting up custom grid sizes - grid_custom by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-05-26
  pcb-rnd offers a preconfigured set of grid sizes, including both mil and mm based. Keys [ and ] are provided for easily cycling through available grid sizes. A submenu lists all available sizes. These preconfigured grid sizes can easily be changed by the user.
   
• How to change the grid size while editing a layout - grid_settings by Erich Heinzle on 2018-01-18
  Show how to adjust grid settings while editing a PCB layout.
   
• How to add a ground pour to a layout - ground_pour by Erich Heinzle on 2018-01-17
  Show how a ground plane (a.k.a. copper pour) can be added to a layout.
   
• Saving window geometry - gui_win_geo by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-10-01
  pcb-rnd has sophisticated (but optional) support for saving and reproducing your window geometry, trying to override this part of the window manager's job.
   
• How to hide the refdes text - hide_refdes by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-10-30
  
   
• How to write your own parametric footprint scripts - howto_parametric by Matt Jenkins (Majenko) on 2019-09-07
  An overview on how to write a script for generating footprints realtime using pcb-rnd's parametric footprints system
   
• hyp2mat path to OpenEMS simulation - hyp2mat by Evan Foss on 2017-12-25
  Video tutorial on simulating a micorwave filter using pcb-rnd, hyp2mat and openEMS.
   
• Micro-Cap to pcb-rnd (schematics/netlist import) - import_microcap by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-08-21
  Micro-Cap is a freeware schematics capture and simulator program running on windows. It supports a variety of different netlist formats, from which multiple formats are suitable for a pcb-rnd layout flow. This article provides step-by-step instrictions on a forward annotation from schematics to pcb-rnd.
   
• Converting inkscape paths to pcb-rnd and gEDA PCB layouts, lines and footprint elements - inkscape by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-03-20
  Introduction to an Inkscape export plugin that can (partially) export svg to .pcb, creating a bridge between inkscape and pcb-rnd.
   
• How to use the automated integrity check system - integrity by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-06-03
  Automatic data model integrity checks on the fly. How to enable it and how to use it to narrow down and report bugs.
   
• intnoconn - pretend objects are not connected in a subc - intnoconn by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-02-10
  There are various applications where a special subcircuit is needed: a subcircuit that has multiple pins/pads that are connected in copper within the subcircuit, but the rest of the system should see it as if the pins/pads were not connected. Typical examples are antennas, microwave parts etched in copper, PCB coils, star grounding. The intnoconn attribute solves all these problems.
   
• Import schematics: how to switch over - isch_switch by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-02-01
  The new import schematics feature does a few things sligthly differently, and there are also a few new options. This article attempts to ease the transition.
   
• Fine tuning for non-english keyboard layout - key_non_us by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-08-15
  By design, pcb-rnd speaks English and assumes an English keyboard layout. For most of the default key assignment using another layout doesn't make any difference but there are a few special cases. This article explains how those special cases arise and how to fix them on non-english keyboard layout.
   
• KiCad s-epxression file format tree - kicad_pcb_fmt by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-04-05
  Reverse engineered "complete" list of KiCad's s-expression file format tree.
   
• Courtyard: ko.* layer groups - ko_id by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-04-27
  The "courtyard" (ko.courtyard) feature is fully working mechanical keepout/courtyard with DRC checks provided by the default drc_query config. This node describes how the feature works and provides a minimal example.
   
• Courtyard: ko.* layer groups: under the hood - ko_id2 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-04-27
  The "courtyard" (ko.courtyard) feature is fully working mechanical keepout/courtyard with DRC checks provided by the default drc_query config. This node describes how the drc rule is implemented.
   
• HID: layer group transluency config - layer_alpha by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-12-31
  It is possible to change how translucent layers are on the screen, when hardware accelerated rendering is used.
   
• Advanced library path configuration - lib_path_conf by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-03-08
  For the simplest setup it is enough to configure all library paths as a static list. However, advanced use need advanced configuration capabilities, which pcb-rnd fully supports: extending existing list of paths with local additions.
   
• Using and editing lines on layouts in pcb-rnd - line_edit by Erich Heinzle on 2018-01-17
  Show how lines can be drawn, modified, and how various settings affect their use.
   
• Live scripting - live_script by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-04-02
  Live scripting is an easy, graphical script editing setup for rapid script development. This article demonstrates how to use the new feature to develop awk scripts.
   
• Local grid on GTK - local_grid by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2016-09-25
  The local grid reduces number of grid points drawn, showing the grid only around the cursor, like a flashlight. It helps a lot with software rendering on large screen.
   
• Importing LTspice schematics into pcb-rnd for board layout - ltspice by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-02-09
  How to import netlist+footprint data from LTspice. This feature allows the circuit that was worked out in LTspice to be realized quickly in pcb-rnd without having to redraw the schematics (e.g. in gschem) first.
   
• How to export for macrofab - macrofab by Edward 'celem' Comer on 2018-01-28
  How to export files from pcb-rnd for macrofab pick and place service.
   
• Makefile for batch mode import - make_import by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-08-13
  How to emulate gsch2pcb-rnd with a batch-mode action script using the pcb-rnd executable, and how to hook this all up in a Makefile. Many pcb-rnd users use Makefiles to automate annotation between tools. A common path is generating a netlist from various sources (e.g. schematics) and importing the changes to an existing board. This can be done using gsch2pcb-rnd, but that tool supports only one flow, importing from gschem, using gnetlist. This article presents an example on how to implement a generic setup that can import from any source.
   
• Mass-change of object properties - mass_chg by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-01-07
  For mass-changing object properties, pcb-rnd offers different approaches, which are each described, pros and cons.
   
• Scripted mass property edit from a table - mass_prop by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-10-29
  Example shell+awk script that uses pcb-rnd to mass-edit properties of objects using a table as input.
   
• Importing Mentor Graphics Design Capture netlists into gEDA pcb-rnd - mentor_net by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-03-15
  How to import netlist+footprint data from Mentor Graphics Design Capture. This feature allows the schematics author to use Mentor Graphics and the PCB layout engineer to use pcb-rnd in a team.
   
• Menu patching tutorial - menu_patch by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-07-18
  The run-time menu patching system in pcb-rnd is a powerful infrastructure that lets users to make temporary or persistent, global or project-local modifications to the menu system. This article shows how to use the system and how to write menu patches.
   
• Negative/positive selection directions - negselect by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2015-12-31
  A positive direction selection box will select any object that is fully enclosed by the box; a negative direction box will select any object that touches the box.
   
• Terminology: netlist, import schematics - netlist by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-11-16
  This node explains the terms "netlist", "import netlist", "import schematics" and how the schematics-to-PCB workflow works.
   
• The noexport attribute - noexport by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-08-26
  How to use the noexport attribute, which replaces the "zero width line" workaround. Other alternatives for use cases where noexport is not appropriate.
   
• nonetlist flag - nonetlist by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2013-09-01
  
   
• Drawing the board outline - outline by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-11-20
  How to draw the outline of shaped boards. How to draw internal cutouts.
   
• On the fly generated parametric footprints - parametric by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-03-01
  Demonstrate the use of the parametric footprint parameter editor dialog box.
   
• Polygon vs. polygon clearance - poly_clr_poly by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2016-09-24
  Some boards need a lot of copper: so much that it looks like if the whole bottom layer was just copper with a few gaps drawn to form islands. A new way of drawing this with pcb-rnd is enabling polygon-vs-polygon clearance. This way thick polygon islands can be formed within a polygon pour without shorting the islands to the pour.
   
• PolyHatch command for cross hatching polygons in pcb-rnd - polyhatch by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-07-19
  Introduction to the polygon hatching action and tips on the use cases.
   
• The object property editor - propedit by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2016-09-25
  Interactive GUI and command line function to change properties and attributes of one or more selected object(s).
   
• Using and editing padstacks on layouts in pcb-rnd - pstk_edit by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-02-08
  Show how padstacks can be placed, modified, and how various settings affect their use. Describes how padstack prototypes can be constructed.
   
• Building footprints with oblong shaped padstacks (pins) using shape() - pstk_valve by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-12-28
  A tutorial for subcircuits using thru-hole pin padstacks, for drawing the footprint of a B7G thermionic valve.
   
• QR code and code128 barcode support for PCB layouts now in pcb-rnd - qr by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-04-06
  Demonstrate how to use qr(), the parametric footprint for generating QR code.
   
• Practical Query examples - query_examples by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-03-28
  Practical examples on using the query language (advanced search).
   
• Routing options in pcb-rnd: angle-preserving rubber band, curvy knees, teardrops - routeradius by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-05-31
  Demonstrate using the route radius setting to get curved knee at 45 degree trace joints. Also demonstrates "rubber band keeps middle line angle" and teardrops.
   
• direct path to openems for s-parameters - s_param by Evan Foss on 2019-04-19
  A quick introduction to solving for s-parameters - one of the most basic uses of pcb-rnd's direct interface to openems. This includes selecting ports, generating mesh, exporting, processing, and visualization.
   
• Digital signatures - sign by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-04-21
  If pcb-rnd or any related material is coming with a digital signature, it was signed by the procedure described in this article. The method and/or script provided here can be used to verify the signature of any download.
   
• Static linking pcb-rnd - staticlink by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-09-21
  In some special application a static linked version of pcb-rnd is required. The most typical static applications are rendering previews on a web server or converting data running pcb-rnd on a server as a service.
   
• Microwave filter subcircuit with mask cutout - subc1 by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-12-25
  Demonstrate how to group objects with pcb-rnd subcircuits, drawing a distributed element filter with a mask cutout.
   
• Changing the clearance of all padstacks of one or more subcircuits - subc_clr by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-04-09
  This node presents a simple way to edit the padstack global clearance of all padstacks of one or more subcircuits. The same method can be used to change the clearance and other properties of other subcircuit parts as well.
   
• Teardrops plugin - teardrops by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-03-25
  The teardrop action adds arcs to gradually thicken traces connecting to padstacks. This can make the connection more smooth, removing sharp corners. For home etched hobby boards, this also increases the surface near a pin that can contribute to the mechanical stability of the copper ring.
   
• Using and editing text objects on layouts in pcb-rnd - text_edit by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-02-08
  Show how text can be drawn, modified, and how various settings affect their use.
   
• Tight clearance on text objects - tight_clearance by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-05-06
  Traditionally the clearance around a text object was a round rectangle at the bounding box of the text object. Starting from lihata board v7, our data model supports tight_clearance: clearance that traces the true outline of the text.
   
• Importing TinyCad schematics into pcb-rnd - tinycad by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-02-10
  How to import netlist+footprint data from TinyCAD. This feature allows the schematics author to use TinyCAD and the PCB layout engineer to use pcb-rnd in a team.
   
• Home etching copper clad circuit boards using the toner transfer method. - toner_transfer by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2018-03-15
  A summary of the toner transfer method for home etching of boards designed in pcb-rnd.
   
• The change to-style actions - tostyle by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2015-08-29
  
   
• A method for debugging memory leaks from the lexxer - valg_flex by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2016-03-14
  In a flex/bison parser it's quiet common that strings are allocated in flex, passed on to bison and then either free'd there or saved in the output data. Since both free and save happens a lot, it's not an easy mechanical review of the .y file to find the reason for leaks. Especially if the code has to store some strings in temporary storage until a later stage of the parsing. An example is shown about debugging such a problem.
   
• VFS example scripts - vfs_examples by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2019-03-29
  
   
• Generating visual difference of boards - visual_diff by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-06-16
  Determining the small difference between two versions of a board may be non-trivial. The data model is complex enough that a diff(1) on the board file (in whatever format) may not give a direct answer. A small shell script distributed with pcb-rnd provides a visual solution to this problem.
   
• XSCHEM to pcb-rnd flow - xschem by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-09-05
  XSCHEM is a small, independent schematics editor implemented in C, tcl, awk, running on X11. Because of VLSI, it has strong support for hierarchy. Recently it got support for slotting and exporting tEDAx netlists, making XSCHEM suitable for drawing the schematics for a layout done with pcb-rnd. This tutorial demonstrates a simple XSCHEM-to-pcb-rnd forward annotation.
   
• template define pick and place (PnP) xyrs - xyrs by Erich S. Heinzle (VK5HSE) on 2017-06-09
  Template based xy export plugin for pick and place machines, BoMs and more.
   
• Specification of the pool node format - pool by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2017-12-24
  
   
• DRC: links to doc and DRC check scripts - Idrc by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2021-05-20
  As part of the nlnet NGI0 funding, pcb-rnd got a full DRC (Design Rule Checker) rewrite in 2020. The new DRC system is extremely flexible as it is scriptable using the query language. This article is a collection of links to resources for those who are interested in advanced use of the new DRC system.
   
• Planned/scheduled feature deprecation - deprecation by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-02-05
  There are a lot of features in pcb-rnd. Some are in daily use, others are "looked like a good idea once but turned out to be unusable in practice". Yet others are "this is something pcb-rnd should have, but it will need to be done differently". This page announces the biggest features that are going to be removed, with expected schedule, rationale, plans/recommendations on alternatives.
   
• Import_sch rewrite, switching over to tEDAx netlists - import_sch by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2018-08-17
  Majority of pcb-rnd users use the gschem->pcb-rnd flow, either with import schematics, or less frequently with gsch2pcb-rnd. The current implementation is fragile. This article describes how it is going to be fixed using tEDAx.
   
• Run-time menu patching system - menu_patch_new by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-07-18
  pcb-rnd offers a more flexible menu description from version 2.2.4, based on run-time menu patching. This article describes the basic mechanism implemented.
   
• Menu patching: what was wrong with the original system? - menu_patch_old by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas on 2020-07-18
  pcb-rnd offers a more flexible menu description from version 2.2.4, based on run-time menu patching. This article describes the problems with the previous (dynamic, but not real-time patched) menu system to specify the reasons for the change.
   

Nodes found: 136