New Features for 2.0
(1) New library system. A directory tree is parsed and added to the library selector window. This directory is specified in the config.h file as PCBTREEDIR and should point to a directory where any pcb user that needs to create library elements has write privileges. The "-libtree X" switch will cause pcb to use directory X instead of the installed default for the new library directory. You should continue to be wary of the old library elements, many of them are not quite right. (Just check them carefully before fabing to be sure there are no surprises). My intent is to create a repository for new elements THAT PEOPLE HAVE FABRICATED SUCCESSFULLY in order to grow a reliable library.
(2) Element files can now contain layers (line, arcs, polygons), vias and elements. The new library system reads from element files (no need to learn M4). The expanded capability of element files allows you to put useful sub-circuits into the library. For example, a QFP package with a break-out via pattern can be stored as a library element. Be careful with this as the layers are saved simply by their layer number and lose any association with a group (e.g. whether it is the component, or solder-side layer).
(3) Improved fascilities for creating elements from drawn objects. Now you can put an element in the buffer, and break it into it's consitutent parts. Paste this to the layout, make changes, then put it back in the buffer to convert to an element. You can also save a buffer's contents to an element file (i.e. add it to the library). Of course element files are still just text files so you can edit them at will. Draw the element outline on the silk layer (lines and arcs, no polygons), use Vias to make pins or holes, and lines on the component and/or solder layers for SMD pads. Number the pins and pads with the name ("n" key) entry, then cut it all to the buffer and select "convert buffer to element". Saved elements always appear in the file in a component-side orientation (even if you save while viewing the solder side).
(4) Support for elements with surface-mount pads on both sides of the board. e.g. edge connectors. This also allows creation of elements with multiple pins/pads having the same "number" string. This can be used, for example, to create a DIP footprint that has a pad on top and bottom coincident with each pin. This effectively makes the pins have elongated copper pads on the top and bottom - something several home-made board makers have requested. If you do create an element with multiple pins having the same number, and that number appears in the netlist, they MUST be connected before the board is considered routed. See the "14DIP_oval_pad" example in the "test" section of the library for an example.
(5) Support for the strokes library. Compiling with strokes enabled (see config.h) binds the middle button to recognize strokes for the user interface. Zoom in, Zoom out, choose the line, arrow, or via tools, rotate an object, etc. can be done with simple strokes. Check the source code (FinishStroke() in action.c) to see what the strokes are.
(6) Better fascilites for panning at high zoom: Shift-button3 down shows the
whole layout - move the crosshair to where you want the display centered,
then release the mouse button - the previous zoom level is restored, centered
at the new location. You can do this while in the middle of drawing, moving,
etc. You can also place the cursor in the panner area, and use the arrow keys
on the keyboard to scroll half a window view per keypress. Of course you can
still drag the screen with button1 with the panner tool (previously known
as no tool).
Auto-scrolling is also improved. If you want to use menus, buttons,
the panner, placing the pointer over them stops auto-scroll. If you
want to go to another window and not auto-scroll, pass the pointer
over one of those things before heading to the other window.
(7) Auto-router. The auto-router routes with the active line size, via size, and keep-away. It is a grid-less router, and will automatically avoid any existing traces, etc. that you've placed on the board. It uses all layers that are visible when invoked, so turn off any layers you don't want it to use. You can auto-route all rat lines, or selected rat lines. This was written by C. Scott Ananian
(8) Fascilities to rip-up tracks and vias that were placed by the auto-router. You can rip-up all auto-routed tracks, or just those that are selected (and were auto-routed).
(9) Auto-placement code. It's broken. Don't use it.
(10) Many functions added to the menus that were previously accessible only through keys or typed commands. e.g. SetValue(Grid,1), DRC().
(11) You can turn on/off the requirement for unique element names. When unique names are required, they may be automatically generated when pasting. Turn on uniqueness for a single layout, turn off if placing several boards in a panel (or if you just want duplicate names). It's in the settings menu.
(12) Support for metric grids. Coordinates are still always integer mils, but you can have the grid fall on a regular metric spacing to within +/- 1 mil. Selectable in the "Screen" menu and also with the "SetValue(Grid, x)" command; the value x is still in mils, but it's floating point now. Also the concept of "absolute" grid has been eliminated - just align it where you want.
(13) Support for viewing the soldermask. The Screen menu has a selection for turning on/off the display of the solder mask. You can also change the size of mask holes when the mask is displayed by using the "ChangeClearSize(what, change)" function (k key). If the mask is not displayed, this function changes polygon clearances as before. For example you could elliminate all via soldermask holes by selecting everything (make sure vias are turned on), then typing the command: ":ChangeClearSize(SelectedVias, 0)" There is a special case for vias to change the mask diameter equal to the via diameter, by using +0 as the size change.
(14) Support for creation/addition of netlist by drawing rat lines. Select "netlist" from the drawing layer, and use the line tool to add nets. Undo removes the rat, but not the created net. To delete a netlist entry, select the connection in the netlist window and hit the backspace key. The "netlist" layer must be the active layer to delete connections like this. This is NOT the recommended way to create a netlist, but a lot of people asked for it.
(15) Support for snapping the crosshair to pins/pads even when they're not on grid. Selectable in the "Settings" menu. Thanks to Borges for this great idea.
(16) Doesn't draw negative lines and arcs in print output unless necessary. It still does this for all pads though. Doesn't technically matter, but there are a lot of bogus gerber viewers out there and people that are easily confused by gerber files that completely meet the specification.
(17) Added a "Lock" feature that lets you lock an object so it can't be selected, moved, or modified. Very handy for making a board-outline element (e.g. pc104 card) invisible to the Arrow tool.
(18) lots of bug fixes (plus, no doubt, lots of newly introduced ones).
(19) a tool (in the tools folder) for converting to/from ncap files for auto-routing with MUCS-PCB. I have not tried this myself. Written By Luis Claudio G. Lopes
(20) A program for quickly generating QFP elements. Its invoked from the old library (~generic/qfp menu, generic)
(21) The old imake based build system has been replaced by a GNU autoconf/automake build system. This should simplify the installation and provide greater portability.
Quick and dirty explanation of some as-yet undocumented features:
Quick and dirty explanation of some as-yet undocumented features:
Netlist window: double-click on a net-name to enable/disable it. A "*" appears next to the name when it is disabled. Disabled means rats nests will ignore the net. Click on a connection to select it (and center it) in the layout window. "Finding" a connection starting from a pin or pad will select it in the netlist window.
The "j" key controls whether a line (arc) clears (plow through) polygons or touches them. Newly created lines and arcs follow the setting in the "settings" menu. Put the cursor over the line or arc you want to change, then hit the "j" (j for join) key.
The "k" key controls the width of clearance around a line (arc) when it plows. "k" key increases clearance by 2, Shift-K decreases it by 2, also works for pins and vias piercing polygons. The initial value for new objects (but not element pins/pads which is in the element definition) is controlled by the "keepaway" setting, changeable in the "sizes" menu.
When drawing lines, you can start a new anchor point without drawing from the previous point by either clicking button3, or Ctrl-button1. DON'T USE BUTTON2 - that would be wrong, even if it sort of works.
The Arrow tool is for selecting/deselecting objects, and moving them. Shift-click to add to the existing selection. You can click-drag to draw boxes for box selection. If you click-drag on an already selected item, you will move the selection. If you click-drag on an un-selected item, you will move that item without selecting it. This last technique is the only way to move a point (e.g. end point of a line), and is also the only way to perform moves with rubber-banding (i.e. rubber-banding doesn't work with selections). Moving a selection actually cuts it to a special paste buffer, then pastes it at the new location. Always start a box selection by clicking in an empty region of the board. It may be desireable to turn off some visibility in order to simplify the box selection operation. You can also lock an object to make it invisible to the Arrow tool (so box selections can begin over the object). If you don't configure for strokes, the middle button is bound to the arrow tool.
To move an element or silk text to the opposite side of the board, use the "b" key (b for backside) to send it to the opposite side. You can also cut an object to a buffer, switch viewing sides (tab), then paste it. The buffer can be used this way to flip layout traces to the other side too, although if layer groups are used, the precise layer they appear on may not have the color you want, but the connectivity should not change.
Installation tip: BE SURE TO INSTALL THE NEW X11 RESOURCE FILE - run make install to do this. If you just want to test without installing, run the pcbtest.sh script in the src directory.