1 ==============================================
2 'gschem and Friends' Electronic Design Suite
3 ==============================================
5 Copyright (C) 1998-2012 gEDA Developers
7 This file documents important user-visible changes in gEDA/gaf. For
8 more information, please consult the `ChangeLog' file.
10 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.8.0
11 =================================
13 * All tools now give more informative error messages if they are
14 unable to load schematic or symbol files due to syntax errors.
16 * Unconnected pin ends and net ends are now all drawn with the same
17 box marker in `gschem' and printed output.
19 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.7.2
20 =================================
22 * `geda-gaf' now requires GTK+ 2.16.0 or later.
24 * A greatly expanded Scheme API has been added to gEDA/gaf for use by
25 extension authors. See the `geda-scheme' Info manual for more
26 details. Existing extensions may need to be modified to load the
27 `(geda deprecated)' or `(gschem deprecated)' modules.
29 * The `component-library-search' function for `gafrc' files now skips
30 directories without symbols, and searches for libraries recursively.
32 * `gschem' keybinding improvements:
34 - Keybindings are now unaffected by Caps Lock.
36 - Keystrokes are displayed using the same characters as on keycaps
37 (e.g. `:' instead of `colon').
39 - Keystrokes may use extended modifiers (Super, Hyper and Meta).
41 - Key bindings can be modified in any rc file or interactively using
42 the `global-set-key' function. See notes in `system-gschemrc' for
45 * `gschem' now displays help files and component documentation on all
46 platforms, including Windows. The `locate' tool is no longer used
47 to search for component documentation files.
49 * The `schdiff' tool for generating visual diffs of schematics and
50 symbols has been added. It can be used with most version control
51 systems. See `man schdiff' for more details.
53 * The `bom' and `bom2' backends to `gnetlist' now give error messages
54 if no attribute file can be found. The `-O attrib_file=FILE' and
55 `-O attribs=ATTRIB,ATTRIB...' options have also been added.
57 * A new `ewnet' backend has been added to `gnetlist'. This outputs
58 netlists for use with the National Instruments ULTIboard layout
61 * The `verilog' backend to `gnetlist' now supports concatenated net
62 naming like "{a,b,c[3:0]}".
64 * `gsch2pcb' no longer supports the `m4_command' parameter in project
67 * The `--m4-pcbdir' and `--m4-file' arguments to `gsch2pcb' now work
70 * `gsymfix.pl' has been renamed to `gsymfix'.
72 * Man pages are now available for all programs installed as part of
75 * The undocumented programs `gnet_hier_verilog', `gsymupdate', `gschupdate'
76 and `sch2eaglepos.sh' are no longer installed to ${prefix}/bin.
78 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.7.1
79 =================================
81 * gEDA is now compatible with Guile 2.0.
83 * gEDA/gaf applications no longer complain when trying to load an rc
84 file twice, or when an rc file doesn't exist.
86 * `gschem' allows objects to be moved by dragging without having to
89 * `gschem' now supports keybindings with more than one modifier key,
90 and "Deselect" is bound to <Control Shift A> by default.
92 * `gnetlist' correctly handles multiple renames of the same net. This
93 resolves some long-standing bugs with multipage schematics.
95 * The `spice-sdb' backend for `gnetlist' now has built-in support for
96 `SUBCKT_NMOS' and `SUBCKT_PMOS' devices.
98 * A new `makedepend' backend has been added to `gnetlist'. It
99 generates Makefile code for SPICE simulation dependencies.
101 * Visibility of embedded component attributes are now preserved by
104 * `gsch2pcb' correctly handles footprint names with hyphens (`-').
106 * `gsch2pcb' project files support quoting and escaping in
107 `schematics' entries.
109 * Considerable enhancements to Unicode support when printing
110 schematics or exporting PostScript.
112 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.7.0
113 =================================
115 * All gEDA/gaf applications now handle configuration files much more
116 strictly, and provide much more useful feedback when an error
119 * Several changes to `gschem' command-line options:
121 - The `-t' option is no longer supported.
123 - Several command-line options now support a long-form alternative.
125 - The `-s' option can now be used to run multiple Scheme scripts
126 during `gschem' startup.
128 - A new `-c' option is available, which runs a Scheme expression
129 during `gschem' startup.
131 - A new `-L' option is available, which adds a directory to the
134 - A new `-V' or `--version' option is available, which displays
137 * `gschem' now provides a "Select All" function, which is bound to
138 <Control a> by default, along with a corresponding "Deselect"
141 * In the `gschem' "Add component" dialog, filtering the component
142 library will expand matching libraries. If the filter is cancelled,
143 all libraries are collapsed. Components can now be selected by
144 double-clicking on them in the component list.
146 * The `gschem' "Edit Text Properties" dialog now has an easier to use
149 * Printed text size now better matches on-screen text size in
152 * Special characters, including commas, are now escaped or quoted
153 appropriately in `gattrib' CSV output.
155 * Several changes to `gnetlist' command-line options:
157 - Four command-line options specific to the `spice-sdb' backend have
158 been removed. They can be replaced with `-O <option>' according
159 to the following table:
161 -e, --embedd -O embedd_mode
162 -I, --include -O include_mode
163 -n, --nomunge -O nomunge_mode
164 -s, --sort -O sort_mode
166 - The list of available backends is now obtained using a new
167 `--list-backends' option. `-g help' no longer outputs a list of
170 - A new `-L' option is available, which adds a directory to the
173 - A new `-V' or `--version' option is available, which displays
176 - When run with invalid command-line arguments, `gnetlist' now exits
177 with non-zero exit status.
179 * Several `gnetlist' backends have now been fixed so that it should no
180 longer be necessary to set an expanded Guile stack in gEDA's config
183 * The `spice-sdb' backend for `gnetlist' now supports probes
184 (`TESTPOINT' devices).
186 * The undocumented `mk_verilog_syms' program is no longer installed.
187 The symbols it creates are still installed to
188 `${prefix}/share/gEDA/sym/verilog'.
190 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.6.2
191 =================================
193 * PNG export from `gschem' will now be cropped correctly.
195 * The `partlist' backends for `gnetlist' now handle hierarchical
198 * On Windows, `gschem' and `gattrib' will no longer launch with a
199 command window visible.
201 * `gnetlist-arg' is no longer valid in `gsch2pcb' project files.
203 Several other bugs were fixed, including a major crash bug in
206 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.6.1
207 =================================
209 * Added accelerator mnemonics for root menus in gschem
211 * Lots of updated and new language translations in libgeda, gschem, and
212 gattrib. (Courtesy of language translators and Launchpad)
214 * Updated the shipped documentation from the official gEDA wiki
216 * Fixed the following bugs:
218 - 2876373: Fix rendering with zoomed out dashed lines
219 - 2901183: Fix for some manpage issues
220 - 2904715: Don't update page connectivity from o_place_rotate()
221 - 2949232: Fix slot editing routines to not edit inherited attributes
222 - Cherry picked some other bug fixes from master that should be in
225 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.6.0
226 =================================
228 * Fixed the GtkItemEntry code inside of gattrib code so that it builds
231 * In gschem, rubberband pin to pin connections by adding nets.
233 * Cleanup of the slot handling code in libgeda.
235 * Fixes/updates to the MinGW port.
237 * Updated the shipped documentation from the online wiki.
239 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.3/1.5.4
240 =======================================
242 * NOTE: gEDA/gaf 1.5.3 was released with some critical bugs, so
243 it was withdrawn before it was widely distributed.
245 * Text rendering using native system fonts:
247 - The various programs in gEDA/gaf no longer uses its own built-in
250 - Native system fonts are used for rendering, giving support for a
251 wider range of symbols, and better looking schematics.
253 * Always use PostScript fonts in gschem's PostScript output. The
254 "output-text", "text-output" and "output-vector-threshold" config
255 functions have been removed.
257 * Image rendering in 'gschem' uses cairo instead of GDK.
259 * Numerous build system changes:
261 - gEDA/gaf is now distributed as a single source archive, called
262 gEDA-<version>.tar.gz.
264 - GTK+ 2.10 or newer and Guile 1.8 or newer are now required.
266 - `intltool' is no longer required.
268 - Documentation is now installed to ${docdir} (usually
269 ${prefix}/share/doc/gEDA).
271 * The attribute edit dialog in `gschem' now has completion of most
272 common attribute names.
274 * The multi-attribute edit dialog in `gschem' now shows unpromoted
277 * Menu items in `gschem' now have icons and properly aligned key
278 bindings. They also support accelerator keys.
280 * The `gschem2pcb' and `PCBboard' netlist backends have been removed.
281 It is recommended to use `gsch2pcb' instead.
283 * Check for and reject non-footprint PCB files in 'gsch2pcb'.
285 * Removed unimplemented "File->Open" feature in 'gattrib'.
287 * Added --disable-gattrib command line flag to ./configure to disable the
288 building of 'gattrib'. This is useful if you are building against
289 gtk+ 2.17.x which breaks 'gattrib'.
291 * 'gnetlist' does not recommend drc2 every time it runs. The drc2
292 backend is only useful in certain circumstances.
294 * Assign shortcuts "vd" and "vl" for changing between color schemes
297 * Fix problem with attached net attribute not being honored in 'gnetlist'.
299 * Focus the "save" button in the close confirmation dialog in 'gattrib' and
302 * Accept empty attributes in the src file in 'tragesym'.
304 * Cleaned up the slot dialog box in 'gschem'.
306 * Changed the grip size rendering in 'gschem' to be reasonably sized when
309 * Introduction of a new attribute searching API in 'libgeda' and 'gschem'.
311 * Improvements and cleanup to the 'gnetlist' and 'gsymcheck' test suites.
313 * Fixed the following bugs:
315 - 1758673: Combine source tarballs
316 - 2058707: gschem, gattrib: Dangerous button focus in "Save changes"
318 - 2430369: gschem: Deselect invisible attribs with their parent object.
319 - 2449060: Graphic state left inconsistent cancelling from net mode
320 - 2460301: libgeda: Make o_complex_promote_attribs() respect keep_invisible
321 and libgeda: Make o_complex_copy() actually copy.
322 - 2455061: Gnetlist output changed, and tests fail with recent GLib
323 - 2655088: autogen.sh: Make sure to exit if autopoint fails.
324 - 2823703: gnet-pcbpins.scm: Quote pins names if they contain comma
325 or close parenthesis.
326 - 2823755: gnetlist: Fix DEBUG builds.
327 - 2836109: build-sys: Add check for groff html driver.
329 * Spanish translation were updated.
331 * Lots of code, infrastructure, and doxygen documentation cleanup and
334 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.2
335 =================================
337 * `gschem' now uses Cairo for all rendering. This allows for
338 everything to be rendered anti-aliased.
340 * `gschem' now uses a mesh grid instead of dots by default.
342 * Net junction cues in `gschem' are drawn smaller now.
344 * Copy and paste now works between different `gschem' instances (using
347 * Recent files are no longer opened in a new `gschem' window.
349 * Major, *backwards-incompatible* changes to color handling in
350 `libgeda' and `gschem'.
352 - All colors are specified using hexadecimal `#RRGGBB' or
355 - The print and display color maps are now separate.
357 - A new Scheme syntax is used to inspect and modify color maps.
359 - If you wish to use a light background in `gschem', add the line:
361 (load (build-path geda-rc-path "gschem-colormap-lightbg"))
363 to your personal or project gschemrc file.
365 * Attributes of embedded objects are now shown in the right color.
367 * Bus pins are now supported by `gschem' and `libgeda', but are *not*
368 properly supported by the netlister. The pin type can be modified
369 by selecting a pin, then right-clicking it and selecting `Edit pin
372 * All of the symbols were modified to use overbar markup tags ("like
373 \_this\_") instead of separate lines.
375 * Log files are now saved to $HOME/.gEDA/logs rather than being
376 dropped in the current directory.
378 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.1
379 =================================
381 * GTK+ version 2.8.x or later is now required.
383 * The selection behaviour in `gschem' was changed.
385 - Lines, unfilled boxes, unfilled circles, arcs, pins, nets, and
386 buses must be selected by clicking on the drawn path itself.
388 - Filled boxes, circles, text, and components, may be selected by
389 clicking anywhere in the bounding box.
391 - The default mouse click distance required to select an element was
392 increased to 10 pixels.
394 - Double-clicking on a net segment selects all connected net
397 * The percentage step in or out while zooming the display in `gschem'
398 is now configurable with the `zoom-gain' gschemrc parameter. The
399 default value is 20%.
401 * The size of steps when panning with the mouse wheel or with a
402 trackpad in `gschem' is now adjustable with the `scrollpan-steps'
403 gschemrc parameter. The default setting scrolls in steps of 1/8 of
406 * A number of improvements were made to the `gschem' component
409 - The dialog now shows a table of top-level attributes in the
412 - It is now possible to expand/collapse a library by clicking
415 * Changes to fill- and line-styles in `gschem' can now be undone.
417 * Arcs can now be adjusted in `gschem' using an arc angle dialog. It
418 can be accessed by selecting an arc and selecting Edit->Edit.
420 * It is now possible to rotate objects while placing them in `gschem'.
422 * Support for arbitrary filled and unfilled paths, using a subset of
423 the SVG path syntax. For more information, please see the file
424 format specification.
425 <http://geda.seul.org/wiki/geda:file_format_spec>
427 - `gschem' does not yet provide a GUI for creating or editing path
428 elements. However, it does support rendering them. They can also
431 - Some of the symbols in the component library were updated to use
434 * A Scheme evaluation prompt was added to `gschem'. It can be
435 accessed by typing `:'.
437 * Improved algorithm for drawing hatched fills both on screen and in
440 * Color selection dialogs and menus in `gschem' now show the actual
441 color as well as the description. Color names are now translatable.
443 * `gattrib' now prompts to save changes.
445 * All of the unimplemented menu items and pages in `gattrib' were
448 * The `always-promote-attributes' gafrc parameter now takes a list of
449 strings as an argument. The space-delimited string syntax is
452 * Some optimisations were made to the `gnetlist' connection traversal
453 algorithm to speed up netlisting large designs.
455 * A new netlist backend was added to support Liquid PCB.
456 <http://www.liquidpcb.org/>
458 * The `bom2' netlist backend now generates a `qty' column.
460 * Several improvements and fixes were made to the `systemc' backend.
462 * The `--gnetlist-arg' option to gsch2pcb can now be used to pass
463 extra `gnetlist' arguments.
465 * `gsch2pcb' now emits files with the latest `pcb' file format.
467 * The `gxyrs' pick-and-place tool was added.
469 Notable changes in gEDA/gaf 1.5.0
470 =================================
472 * Magnetic net mode in `gschem'. Magnetic mode lets you draw nets and
473 automatically connect to valid end points (such as pins and other
474 nets). The `magnetic-net-mode' gschemrc parameter can be used to
475 enable/disable this feature.
477 * Rotating a component while moving it in `gschem' now rotates around
478 the current mouse location.
480 * The `verilog' and `vhdl' backends now work again.
482 * Embedded components can now be mirrored.
484 * The `pads' netlist backend now uses CRLF line endings.
489 Release notes for older versions of gEDA/gaf are available on the gEDA
490 website. <http://www.gpleda.org/news/index.html>