specctra session work

change_log.txt

@@ -5,6 +5,21 @@ Started 2007-June-11
 Please add newer entries at the top, list the date and your name with
 email address.
 
+
+2008-Feb-7 UPDATE   Dick Hollenbeck <dick@softplc.com>
+================================================================================
++pcbnew
+    added "const" to SEGVIA::GetDrillValue() const;
+    added GetDrillValue() to DRC instead of accessing SEGVIA::m_Drill directly.
+    changed specctra_export so it aborts if all reference designators are not
+    unique.  Unless they are unique we cannot import the routed session.  A
+    good example is the xylinx board which now fails to export.
+    first rough work on SEGVIA::makeVIA() but needs much more work.  Simple
+    session files with vias at least import.  Now encode drill diameter in
+    padstack name for later session import.
+    updated todo.txt file.
+
+
 2008-Feb-7 UPDATE   Dick Hollenbeck <dick@softplc.com>
 ================================================================================
 +pcbnew

pcbnew/class_track.cpp

@@ -125,11 +125,13 @@ TRACK* TRACK::Copy() const
  * calculate the drill value for vias (m-Drill if > 0, or default drill value for the board
  * @return real drill_value
 */
-int TRACK::GetDrillValue(void)
+int TRACK::GetDrillValue() const
 {
-	if ( Type() != TYPEVIA ) return 0;
+    if ( Type() != TYPEVIA )
+        return 0;
 
-	if ( m_Drill >= 0 ) return m_Drill;
+    if ( m_Drill >= 0 )
+        return m_Drill;
 
     if ( m_Shape == VIA_MICROVIA )
         return g_DesignSettings.m_MicroViaDrill;

pcbnew/class_track.h

@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ public:
      * calculate the drill value for vias (m-Drill if > 0, or default drill value for the board
      * @return real drill_value
     */
-	int GetDrillValue(void);
+    int GetDrillValue() const;
 
     /**
      * Function ReturnMaskLayer

pcbnew/drc.cpp

@@ -510,8 +510,7 @@ bool DRC::doTrackDrc( TRACK* aRefSeg, TRACK* aStart )
         // This test seems necessary since the dialog box that displays the
         // desired via hole size and width does not enforce a hole size smaller
         // than the via's diameter.
-        
-        if( aRefSeg->GetDrillValue() > aRefSeg->m_Width )
+        if( !aRefSeg->GetDrillValue() > aRefSeg->m_Width )
         {
             m_currentMarker = fillMarker( aRefSeg, NULL,
                                 DRCE_VIA_HOLE_BIGGER, m_currentMarker );

pcbnew/specctra.h

@@ -2091,7 +2091,6 @@ class PADSTACK : public ELEM_HOLDER
 
     std::string     hash;       ///< a hash string used by Compare(), not Format()ed/exported.
 
-
     std::string     padstack_id;
     UNIT_RES*       unit;
 
@@ -2121,6 +2120,10 @@ public:
         delete rules;
     }
 
+    const std::string& GetPadstackId()
+    {
+        return padstack_id;
+    }
 
     /**
      * Function Compare
@@ -2341,6 +2344,22 @@ public:
         return &padstacks[ndx];
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Function FindPADSTACK
+     * searches the padstack container by name.
+     * @return PADSTACK* - The PADSTACK with a matching name if it exists, else NULL.
+     */
+    PADSTACK* FindPADSTACK( const std::string& aPadstackId )
+    {
+        for( unsigned i=0;  i<padstacks.size();  ++i )
+        {
+            PADSTACK* ps = &padstacks[i];
+            if( 0 == ps->GetPadstackId().compare( aPadstackId ) )
+                return ps;
+        }
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
     void FormatContents( OUTPUTFORMATTER* out, int nestLevel ) throw( IOError )
     {
         if( unit )
@@ -2888,6 +2907,11 @@ public:
         supply = false;
     }
 
+    const std::string& GetPadstackId()
+    {
+        return padstack_id;
+    }
+
     void Format( OUTPUTFORMATTER* out, int nestLevel ) throw( IOError )
     {
         const char* quote = out->GetQuoteChar( padstack_id.c_str() );
@@ -3711,10 +3735,11 @@ class SPECCTRA_DB : public OUTPUTFORMATTER
      * Function makeVia
      * makes a round through hole PADSTACK using the given Kicad diameter in deci-mils.
      * @param aCopperDiameter The diameter of the copper pad.
+     * @param aDrillDiameter The drill diameter, used on re-import of the session file.
      * @return PADSTACK* - The padstack, which is on the heap only, user must save
      *  or delete it.
      */
-    PADSTACK* makeVia( int aCopperDiameter );
+    PADSTACK* makeVia( int aCopperDiameter, int aDrillDiameter );
 
     /**
      * Function makeVia
@@ -3734,6 +3759,9 @@ class SPECCTRA_DB : public OUTPUTFORMATTER
      */
     TRACK* makeTRACK( PATH* aPath, int aPointIndex, int aNetcode ) throw( IOError );
 
+
+    SEGVIA* makeVIA( PADSTACK* aPadstack, const POINT& aPoint, int aNetCode );
+
     //-----</FromSESSION>----------------------------------------------------
 
 public:
@@ -3848,7 +3876,7 @@ public:
      *
      * @param aBoard The BOARD to convert to a PCB.
      */
-    void FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard );
+    void FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard ) throw( IOError );
 
 
     /**

pcbnew/specctra_export.cpp

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include "wxPcbStruct.h"        // Change_Side_Module()
 #include "pcbstruct.h"          // HISTORY_NUMBER
 #include "autorout.h"           // NET_CODES_OK
+#include <set>                  // std::set
 
 
 using namespace DSN;
@@ -103,7 +104,11 @@ void WinEDA_PcbFrame::ExportToSpecctra( wxCommandEvent& event )
         Affiche_Message( wxString( _("BOARD exported OK.")) );
     }
     else
+    {
+        errorText += '\n';
+        errorText += _("Unable to export, please fix and try again.");
         DisplayError( this, errorText );
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -268,6 +273,17 @@ static bool isRectangle( POINT_PAIRS& aList )
 }
 
 
+/**
+ * Function isKeepout
+ * decides if the pad is a copper less through hole which needs to be made into
+ * a round keepout.
+ */
+static bool isKeepout( D_PAD* aPad )
+{
+    return aPad->m_PadShape==PAD_CIRCLE &&  aPad->m_Drill.x >= aPad->m_Size.x;
+}
+
+
 /**************************************************************************/
 static int Pad_list_Sort_by_Shapes( const void* refptr, const void* objptr )
 /**************************************************************************/
@@ -313,7 +329,7 @@ IMAGE* SPECCTRA_DB::makeIMAGE( MODULE* aModule )
         D_PAD* pad = (D_PAD*) pads[p];
 
         // see if this pad is a through hole with no copper on its perimeter
-        if( pad->m_PadShape==PAD_CIRCLE &&  pad->m_Drill.x >= pad->m_Size.x )
+        if( isKeepout( pad ) )
         {
             KEEPOUT* keepout = new KEEPOUT(image, T_keepout);
             image->keepouts.push_back( keepout );
@@ -369,7 +385,9 @@ PADSTACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVia( const SEGVIA* aVia )
 
         circle->SetLayerId( "signal" );
 
-        snprintf( name, sizeof(name),  "Via_%.6g_mil", dsnDiameter );
+        snprintf( name, sizeof(name),  "Via_%.6g:%.6g_mil", dsnDiameter,
+                 // encode the drill value in the name for later import
+                 scale( aVia->GetDrillValue() ) );
         name[ sizeof(name)-1 ] = 0;
         padstack->SetPadstackId( name );
         break;
@@ -398,7 +416,11 @@ PADSTACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVia( const SEGVIA* aVia )
             circle->SetLayerId( layerIds[layer].c_str() );
         }
 
-        snprintf( name, sizeof(name),  "Via[%d-%d]_%.6g_mil", topLayer, botLayer, dsnDiameter );
+        snprintf( name, sizeof(name),  "Via[%d-%d]_%.6g:%.6g_mil",
+                 topLayer, botLayer, dsnDiameter,
+                 // encode the drill value in the name for later import
+                 scale( aVia->GetDrillValue() )
+                 );
         name[ sizeof(name)-1 ] = 0;
         padstack->SetPadstackId( name );
         break;
@@ -408,7 +430,7 @@ PADSTACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVia( const SEGVIA* aVia )
 }
 
 
-PADSTACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVia( int aCopperDiameter )
+PADSTACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVia( int aCopperDiameter, int aDrillDiameter )
 {
     char        name[48];
     PADSTACK*   padstack = new PADSTACK( pcb->library );
@@ -424,7 +446,9 @@ PADSTACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVia( int aCopperDiameter )
 
     circle->SetLayerId( "signal" );
 
-    snprintf( name, sizeof(name),  "Via_%.6g_mil", dsnDiameter );
+    snprintf( name, sizeof(name),  "Via_%.6g:%.6g_mil", dsnDiameter,
+                 // encode the drill value in the name for later import
+                 scale( aDrillDiameter ) );
     name[ sizeof(name)-1 ] = 0;
     padstack->SetPadstackId( name );
 
@@ -432,6 +456,20 @@ PADSTACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVia( int aCopperDiameter )
 }
 
 
+/**
+ * Struct ltWX
+ * is used secretly by the std:set<> class below.   See STRINGSET typedef.
+ */
+struct ltWX
+{
+    // a "less than" test on two wxStrings, by pointer.
+    bool operator()( const wxString* s1, const wxString* s2) const
+    {
+        return s1->Cmp( *s2 ) < 0;  // case specific wxString compare
+    }
+};
+
+
 void SPECCTRA_DB::makePADSTACKs( BOARD* aBoard, TYPE_COLLECTOR& aPads )
 {
     char        name[80];                           // padstack name builder
@@ -464,10 +502,8 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::makePADSTACKs( BOARD* aBoard, TYPE_COLLECTOR& aPads )
 
         // if pad has no copper presence, then it will be made into
         // an "image->keepout" later.  No copper pad here, it is probably a hole.
-        if( (!doLayer[0] && !doLayer[1])
-           ||  (pad->m_PadShape==PAD_CIRCLE &&  pad->m_Drill.x >= pad->m_Size.x) )
+        if( (!doLayer[0] && !doLayer[1]) || isKeepout( pad ) )
         {
-            // pad->m_logical_connexion = pcb->library->padstacks.size()-1;
             continue;
         }
 
@@ -491,7 +527,7 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::makePADSTACKs( BOARD* aBoard, TYPE_COLLECTOR& aPads )
             they are present.
         */
 
-        int         reportedLayers;                     // how many layers are reported.
+        int         reportedLayers;                 // how many in reported padstack
         const char* layerName[NB_COPPER_LAYERS];
 
         static const char signal[] = "signal";
@@ -652,7 +688,7 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::makePADSTACKs( BOARD* aBoard, TYPE_COLLECTOR& aPads )
     int defaultViaSize = aBoard->m_BoardSettings->m_CurrentViaSize;
     if( defaultViaSize )
     {
-        PADSTACK*   padstack = makeVia( defaultViaSize );
+        PADSTACK*   padstack = makeVia( defaultViaSize, g_DesignSettings.m_ViaDrill );
         pcb->library->AddPadstack( padstack );
 
         // remember this index, it is the default via and also the start of the
@@ -672,13 +708,13 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::makePADSTACKs( BOARD* aBoard, TYPE_COLLECTOR& aPads )
         if( viaSize == defaultViaSize )
             continue;
 
-        PADSTACK*   padstack = makeVia( viaSize );
+        PADSTACK*   padstack = makeVia( viaSize, g_DesignSettings.m_ViaDrill );
         pcb->library->AddPadstack( padstack );
     }
 }
 
 
-void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
+void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard ) throw( IOError )
 {
     TYPE_COLLECTOR          items;
     POINT_PAIRS             ppairs;
@@ -686,6 +722,36 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
 
     static const KICAD_T    scanMODULEs[] = { TYPEMODULE, EOT };
 
+    // Not all boards are exportable.  Check that all reference Ids are unique.
+    // Unless they are unique, we cannot import the session file which comes
+    // back to us later from the router.
+    {
+        items.Collect( aBoard, scanMODULEs );
+
+        typedef std::set<const wxString*, ltWX>  STRINGSET;
+        typedef std::pair<STRINGSET::iterator, bool> PAIR;
+
+        STRINGSET references;  // holds unique component references
+
+        for( int i=0;  i<items.GetCount();  ++i )
+        {
+            MODULE* module = (MODULE*) items[i];
+
+            if( module->GetReference() == wxEmptyString )
+            {
+                ThrowIOError( _("Component with value of \"%s\" has empty reference id."),
+                                module->GetValue().GetData() );
+            }
+
+            // if we cannot insert OK, that means the reference has been seen before.
+            PAIR pair = references.insert( &module->GetReference() );
+            if( !pair.second )      // insert failed
+            {
+                ThrowIOError( _("Multiple components have identical reference IDs of \"%s\"."),
+                      module->GetReference().GetData() );
+            }
+        }
+    }
 
     if( !pcb )
         pcb = SPECCTRA_DB::MakePCB();
@@ -703,8 +769,6 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
         }
     }
 
-    //pcb->placement->flip_style = T_rotate_first;
-
     // Since none of these statements cause any immediate output, the order
     // of them is somewhat flexible.  The outputting to disk is done at the
     // end.  We start by gathering all the layer information from the board.
@@ -845,7 +909,7 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
     //-----<rules>--------------------------------------------------------
     {
         // put out these rules, the user can then edit them with a text editor
-        char    rule[80];       // padstack name builder
+        char    rule[80];
 
         int     curTrackWidth = aBoard->m_BoardSettings->m_CurrentTrackWidth;
         int     curTrackClear = aBoard->m_BoardSettings->m_TrackClearence;
@@ -879,7 +943,7 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
         sprintf( rule, "(clearance %.6g (type smd_pin))", clearance );
         rules.push_back( rule );
 
-        sprintf( rule, "(clearance %.6g (type smd_smd))", clearance );
+        sprintf( rule, "(clearance %.6g (type smd_smd))", clearance/4 );
         rules.push_back( rule );
     }
 
@@ -905,8 +969,8 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
             int count = item->m_Poly->corner.size();
             for( int j=0; j<count; ++j )
             {
-                wxPoint   point( item->m_Poly->corner[j].x, item->m_Poly->corner[j].y );
-
+                wxPoint   point( item->m_Poly->corner[j].x,
+                                 item->m_Poly->corner[j].y );
                 polygon->points.push_back( mapPt(point) );
             }
 
@@ -1044,12 +1108,6 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
 
         items.Collect( aBoard, scanTRACKs );
 
-/*
-        if( items.GetCount() )
-            qsort( (void*) items.BasePtr(), items.GetCount(),
-                  sizeof(TRACK*), Track_list_Sort_by_Netcode );
-*/
-
         std::string netname;
         WIRING*     wiring = pcb->wiring;
         PATH*       path = 0;
@@ -1105,7 +1163,7 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
     }
 
 
-    //-----<export the existing real instantiated vias>---------------------
+    //-----<export the existing real BOARD instantiated vias>-----------------
     {
         // export all of them for now, later we'll decide what controls we need
         // on this.

pcbnew/specctra_import.cpp

@@ -90,6 +90,12 @@ void WinEDA_PcbFrame::ImportSpecctraSession( wxCommandEvent& event )
     catch( IOError ioe )
     {
         setlocale( LC_NUMERIC, "" );    // revert to the current locale
+
+        ioe.errorText += '\n';
+        ioe.errorText += _("BOARD may be corrupted, do not save it.");
+        ioe.errorText += '\n';
+        ioe.errorText += _("Fix problem and try again.");
+
         DisplayError( this, ioe.errorText );
         return;
     }
@@ -175,6 +181,76 @@ TRACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeTRACK( PATH* aPath, int aPointIndex, int aNetcode ) thro
 }
 
 
+SEGVIA* SPECCTRA_DB::makeVIA( PADSTACK* aPadstack, const POINT& aPoint, int aNetCode )
+{
+    SEGVIA* via = 0;
+    SHAPE*  shape;
+
+    int     shapeCount = aPadstack->Length();
+    int     drillDiam = -1;
+    int     viaDiam = 400;
+
+    // @todo this needs a lot of work yet, it is not complete yet.
+
+
+    // The drill diameter is encoded in the padstack name if PCBNEW did the DSN export.
+    // It is in mils and is after the colon and before the last '_'
+    int     drillStartNdx = aPadstack->padstack_id.find( ':' );
+
+    if( drillStartNdx != -1 )
+    {
+        int drillEndNdx = aPadstack->padstack_id.rfind( '_' );
+        if( drillEndNdx != -1 )
+        {
+            std::string drillDiam( aPadstack->padstack_id, drillStartNdx, drillEndNdx-drillStartNdx-1 );
+            drillDiam = atoi( drillDiam.c_str() );
+        }
+    }
+
+    if( shapeCount == 0 )
+    {
+    }
+    else if( shapeCount == 1 )
+    {
+        shape = (SHAPE*) (*aPadstack)[0];
+        if( shape->shape->Type() == T_circle )
+        {
+            CIRCLE* circle = (CIRCLE*) shape->shape;
+            viaDiam = scale( circle->diameter, routeResolution );
+
+            via = new SEGVIA( sessionBoard );
+            via->SetPosition( mapPt( aPoint, routeResolution ) );
+            via->SetDrillValue( drillDiam );
+            via->m_Shape = VIA_THROUGH;
+            via->m_Width = viaDiam;
+            via->SetLayerPair( CMP_N, COPPER_LAYER_N );
+        }
+    }
+    else if( shapeCount == sessionBoard->GetCopperLayerCount() )
+    {
+        shape = (SHAPE*) (*aPadstack)[0];
+        if( shape->shape->Type() == T_circle )
+        {
+            CIRCLE* circle = (CIRCLE*) shape->shape;
+            viaDiam = scale( circle->diameter, routeResolution );
+
+            via = new SEGVIA( sessionBoard );
+            via->SetPosition( mapPt( aPoint, routeResolution ) );
+            via->SetDrillValue( drillDiam );
+            via->m_Shape = VIA_THROUGH;
+            via->m_Width = viaDiam;
+            via->SetLayerPair( CMP_N, COPPER_LAYER_N );
+        }
+    }
+
+    if( via )
+        via->SetNet( aNetCode );
+
+    return via;
+}
+
+
+
 // no UI code in this function, throw exception to report problems to the
 // UI handler: void WinEDA_PcbFrame::ImportSpecctraSession( wxCommandEvent& event )
 
@@ -268,15 +344,21 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromSESSION( BOARD* aBoard ) throw( IOError )
     NET_OUTS& net_outs = session->route->net_outs;
     for( NET_OUTS::iterator net=net_outs.begin();  net!=net_outs.end();  ++net )
     {
-        wxString netName( CONV_FROM_UTF8( net->net_id.c_str() ) );
+        int         netCode = 0;
 
-        EQUIPOT* equipot = aBoard->FindNet( netName );
-        if( !equipot )
+        // page 143 of spec says wire's net_id is optional
+        if( net->net_id.size() )
         {
-            ThrowIOError( _("Session file uses invalid net::net_id \"%s\""),
-                         netName.GetData() );
+            wxString netName = CONV_FROM_UTF8( net->net_id.c_str() );
+
+            EQUIPOT* equipot = aBoard->FindNet( netName );
+            if( equipot )
+                netCode = equipot->GetNet();
+
+            // else netCode remains 0
         }
 
+
         WIRES& wires = net->wires;
         for( unsigned i=0;  i<wires.size();  ++i )
         {
@@ -296,7 +378,7 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromSESSION( BOARD* aBoard ) throw( IOError )
             PATH*   path = (PATH*) wire->shape;
             for( unsigned pt=0;  pt<path->points.size()-1;  ++pt )
             {
-                TRACK* track = makeTRACK( path, pt, equipot->GetNet() );
+                TRACK* track = makeTRACK( path, pt, netCode );
 
                 TRACK* insertAid = track->GetBestInsertPoint( aBoard );
                 track->Insert( aBoard, insertAid );
@@ -304,10 +386,48 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromSESSION( BOARD* aBoard ) throw( IOError )
         }
 
         WIRE_VIAS& wire_vias = net->wire_vias;
+        LIBRARY& library = *session->route->library;
         for( unsigned i=0;  i<wire_vias.size();  ++i )
         {
-            // WIRE_VIA* wire_via = &wire_vias[i];
+            int         netCode = 0;
+
+            // page 144 of spec says wire_via's net_id is optional
+            if( net->net_id.size() )
+            {
+                wxString netName = CONV_FROM_UTF8( net->net_id.c_str() );
+
+                EQUIPOT* equipot = aBoard->FindNet( netName );
+                if( equipot )
+                    netCode = equipot->GetNet();
 
+                // else netCode remains 0
+            }
+
+            WIRE_VIA* wire_via = &wire_vias[i];
+
+            // example: (via Via_15:8_mil 149000 -71000 )
+
+            PADSTACK* padstack = library.FindPADSTACK( wire_via->GetPadstackId() );
+            if( !padstack )
+            {
+                // Could use a STRINGFORMATTER here and convert the entire
+                // wire_via to text and put that text into the exception.
+                wxString psid( CONV_FROM_UTF8( wire_via->GetPadstackId().c_str() ) );
+
+                ThrowIOError( _("A wire_via references a missing padstack \"%s\""),
+                             psid.GetData() );
+            }
+
+            for( unsigned v=0;  v<wire_via->vertexes.size();  ++v )
+            {
+                SEGVIA* via = makeVIA( padstack, wire_via->vertexes[v], netCode );
+
+                if( !via )
+                    ThrowIOError( _("Unable to make a via") );
+
+                TRACK* insertAid = via->GetBestInsertPoint( aBoard );
+                via->Insert( aBoard, insertAid );
+            }
         }
     }
 }

todo.txt

@@ -24,23 +24,6 @@ referenced.   I think this would be an easier way to manage xpms.
 *** use BOARD_ITEM::MenuIcon() in the onrightclick.cpp
 
 
-2007-Dec-4 Assigned To: Jean-Pierre, per his email
-asked by: Dick Hollenbeck
-================================================================================
-1) Improve the zone support so that the perimeters of each zone are editable.
-2) Allow zones to be added early in the routing process.
-3) Remove the requirement to route tracks for situations where a zone is.
-4) Support connections from zones to vias, and zones to tracks, and zones to pads.
-
-rework zones so they are modifiable and so that the user does not
-need to enter tracks for thru hole pads or vias which connect to a zone.
-I propose a two step solution:
-1) interim enhancement: make zone edges retained in BRD file and make the
-edges editable.
-2) final solution: get rid of requirement for tracks buried within a zone.
-Reivew the GEDA source code and other sources to gather ideas before doing 2).
-
-
 *** Use DOXYGEN compatible comments on member functions.  As configured,
 Doxygen gives priority to comments in header files over *.cpp files.
 Review the generated docs and start to go through the source and make the
@@ -56,7 +39,6 @@ understanding by new developers.
 *** Add tooltip text to all non-obvious controls in every dialog window.
 Need to do this using DialogBlocks.
 
-
 2007-Nov-30 Assigned To: nobody
 asked by: Dick Hollenbeck
 ================================================================================
@@ -71,9 +53,27 @@ asked by: jp Charras
 Use the collector classes in eeschema.
 
 
-2008-Jan-25 Assigned To: any one who wants to
+2008-Feb-8 Assigned To: dick
 asked by: dick
 ================================================================================
-Split the QARCs being created as 1/2 circles into quarter arcs.  Problem
-is in 4 places in specctra_export.cpp
+specctra:
+no blank pin numbers.
+check that pin numbers are unique within a part, combine all such pins
+into common padstack.
+prompt for board boundary control, copper areas, tracks and vias, via per net, fixed vs. normal.
+do write up.
+
+2008-Feb-8 Assigned To: Jean-Pierre, per his email
+asked by: Dick Hollenbeck
+================================================================================
+1) Remove the requirement to route tracks for situations where a zone is.
+2) Support connections from zones to vias, and zones to tracks, and zones to pads.
+
+rework zones so they are modifiable and so that the user does not
+need to enter tracks for thru hole pads or vias which connect to a zone.
+I propose a two step solution:
+1) interim enhancement: make zone edges retained in BRD file and make the
+edges editable.
+2) final solution: get rid of requirement for tracks buried within a zone.
+Reivew the GEDA source code and other sources to gather ideas before doing 2).