Does anyone know of any PCB/Schematic software that uses physical dimensions for drawings instead of some arbitrary grid?
If not, I’m thinking about writing some code to work this way and was wondering about input on limitations or downsides i may not be considering? Or features I should think about?
Thanks!
Maybe I’m just reading your post wrong, but is there any pro/semi pro PCB CAD program that doesn’t?
We’re talking about actually designing the board here? Component placement, trace routing? Everything I have seen at least has a grid based on mil’s (thousandths of an inch), if not giving you full control of units (metric or imperial) and unit amounts.
For schematics obviously a physical unit of measurement isn’t all that useful.
I’m not sure I understand your issue. In most if not all PCB SW, you can change the grid to suit your needs. In many, there is the concept of an alternate grid and you can set that to something very fine (like 1 mil). A grid is pretty useful, especially when laying out pins/pads - set the grid to the interpad distance and drop them precisely. When creating a library part, I will change the grid multiple times. it makes for very precise layout.
In schematic SW, a grid makes it easy to connect nets and avoid the problem of it looking like you’ve made a connection when, in fact, you haven’t.
What are your specific complaints about grids?
I just really despise using a grid, even when there is an alternate one. As I always find parts where things just won’t line up correctly until the grid becomes really small and then you have to constantly zoom in/out to get the proper placement. I just find it very inefficient and have a personal problem with it (OCD?)
Ever since I started using SolidWorks for 3D work I’ve come to LOVE it’s dimensioning and mate selection. That is what I want my pcb/schematic software to work like. Obviously the schematic portion wouldn’t use dimensions specifically. I imagine it just being a little more advanced where, for instance you can show/hide certain pin arrangements for devices (such as a pic where you may not be using pinXX for its primary “label”, but instead for its secondary function)
Good PCB programs like the Pulsonix software I use will make tidy connections off-grid, if necessary. I rarely need to change grids.
Leon
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I just really despise using a grid, even when there is an alternate one. As I always find parts where things just won’t line up correctly until the grid becomes really small and then you have to constantly zoom in/out to get the proper placement. I just find it very inefficient and have a personal problem with it (OCD?)Ever since I started using SolidWorks for 3D work I’ve come to LOVE it’s dimensioning and mate selection. That is what I want my pcb/schematic software to work like. Obviously the schematic portion wouldn’t use dimensions specifically. I imagine it just being a little more advanced where, for instance you can show/hide certain pin arrangements for devices (such as a pic where you may not be using pinXX for its primary “label”, but instead for its secondary function)
Maybe I am also interpreting your posts wrong, but what is wrong with snapping the parts to the grid to get them aligned properly? To me, the grid is essential for aligning everything. In Eagle its a breeze with the CTRL button. It forces the current selected part to snap to whatever grid you have selected at the time.
When laying a board, I fine myself switching from 0.1mm, 2.54mm, 0.5mm and 1mm mostly. These grids seem to work well for me. I can usually snap the part to one of these grids and get pretty gnat’s ass close to where I want to be.
Just my $0.02!