pcb-rnd workshop topics

major infrastructural elements [2h]

Introduction to pcb-rnd infrastructure for programmers:

• the plugin system
• pcb_board_t, pcb_data_t
• drawing primitive internals
• rtree
• events
• actions
• the plugin system

build system: scconfig [2h]

Introduction to scconfig:

• purpose and design decisions
• infrastructure: the db
• how to use scconfig in a project: hooks.c, using detections
• using templates to generate files
• how to write new detection

Introduction to pcb-rnd's build system

developer intro [0.5h]

Introductions to future pcb-rnd developers, tips & tricks, how to start with the codebase:

• version control: svn; team work model
• using the build system
• project conventions

how to write a netlist import plugin [1.5h]

• how to set up a new plugin
• how to set up the action
• how to create imported networks
• how to create imported subcircuits

major design decisions [1..2h]

Explain the background and alternatives of some of the design decisions, explain why the given choice was made.

• the EDA market
• the UNIX way
• hobby use vs. professional use
• what to leave out: 2.5d vs. 3d, autorouting, part manager
• free edit and user requested checks vs. enforced validity for each step of editing
• file formats: native, tEDAx, alien
• HID: unification
• C89
• scconfig
• svn and the centralized team work model
• plain html documentation
• web1.0 web page
• communication, technical aspect (mailing list, IRC)
• communication, policy (how to use different comm channels, how we talk about pcb-rnd in other contexts)

the coralEDA effort [1h]

coralEDA is an umbrella project of free EDA tools that are explicitly maintained to be interoperable.

toner transfer (etching a board) [4h]

Working from an existing board design, we use the toner transfer method to craft a smallish single sided board. Etching included.

preparing a board for fab [1.5h]

Tips & tricks on how to prepare a board for professional fabbing. Including a lot of fine details about how fabs normally craft the boards and how things can go wrong.

data model details [1h]

Details of the data model to a level advanced users should care. All properties of all drawing primitives. Exotic use cases.

scripting & query [2h]

• external scripting: using the command line, makefiles
• the CAM syntax for exporting
• external scripting: parametric footprints
• actions, action "scripting"
• fungw scripting

how to design footprints [2h]

• intro: hobby vs. production considerations (how things go wrong)
• building padstacks (intro)
• building subcircuits (intro)
• copper - sizes, tolerances, other considerations
• holes and slots
• mask cutout
• paste, paste patterns
• special, complex footprints

ddraft [1h]

Introduction to the 2D drafting subsystem. How to accurately draw geometrical constructs using the GUI and the command line.

complex boards: many layers blind/buried vias, slots, paste patterns [1h]

A random selection of advanced use cases. Explain why some techniques or tricks are important for some type of products and demonstrate how to achieve the desired result with pcb-rnd.