Now just a note regarding the schematic editor: while it got a few new nice features, there's something that is, IMO, still severely lacking: the support of TrueType fonts. The default font is OK(-ish) for PCBs, although I would also like being able to select different fonts, but for schematics, it's really annoying. It doesn't look clean on schematics, especially on screen, and even makes it hard to read at lower zoom levels. I know this was one feature listed for v6 actually - and I'm disappointed it didn't end up in it.
Somebody has done an independent add-on, but more oriented to presentation elements than replacing the Hershey fonts; native support for "any font, not just Hershey" is slated for V7.
Custom fonts already added to the latest 7.0 nightlies.
(I get it that the graphics engine is probably the same for schematics and layout, which IMO is a mistake, but that's probably KiCad's long legacy.)
(I get it that the graphics engine is probably the same for schematics and layout, which IMO is a mistake, but that's probably KiCad's long legacy.)
I did not realize schematics entry and PCB layout had a common legacy in KiCad. To me they alwas felt like they were originally developed by two entirely separate teams?
What teams? The original KiCad was essentially developed by one guy.
What teams? The original KiCad was essentially developed by one guy.
Thanks, I had not realized. I have been assuming all along that eeschema and pcbnew came from different origins since their user interfaces feel so different. (Different command letters for equivalent commands, different logic for commands with/without prior selection etc.).
And I think I need to clarify, Test Label Text and LBMxxxx are written in goofy fonts, font rendering is not that bad The jagged lines from no AA or subpixel rendering is all there though.
Certainly, if you're one of those who can't tell that Eagle schematics look terrible (in particular for the lack of antialiasing, and questionable symbols), I can understand it's not a problem for you.
If you want to see what decent schematic rendering looks like - Altium is a good start.
I tried it. Here is an assortment of random fonts. Currently there seems to be a bug where only standard font gets selection highlight outline. So it it impossible to see selected items.
Also, no anti-aliasing, since those labels disappear with AA, at least in my VM, which does not have ideal 3D acceleration.
Also one thing I noticed is that size control is harder with custom fonts. The same size in points results in different visual heights. So "C6" and "22 uF" have the same size, I only changed the font name. Yet they look very different. So alignment with other schematic elements may be an issue. Probably less of an issue if you stick with one font. "TP6" and "OUT" were on the same level in the original font, but here they are shifted with two different fonts. Edit: Although this one is just the optical effect because of different sizes, baseline is the same.
Thanks. So for now, it doesn't really help readability and kinda looks like shit. I'm not considering the bugs - of course there will be for a while. But I'm afraid the rendering aspect itself may never really improve unless they make a major modification... (I get it that the graphics engine is probably the same for schematics and layout, which IMO is a mistake, but that's probably KiCad's long legacy.)
Now just a note regarding the schematic editor: while it got a few new nice features, there's something that is, IMO, still severely lacking: the support of TrueType fonts. The default font is OK(-ish) for PCBs, although I would also like being able to select different fonts, but for schematics, it's really annoying. It doesn't look clean on schematics, especially on screen, and even makes it hard to read at lower zoom levels. I know this was one feature listed for v6 actually - and I'm disappointed it didn't end up in it.
Somebody has done an independent add-on, but more oriented to presentation elements than replacing the Hershey fonts; native support for "any font, not just Hershey" is slated for V7.
Custom fonts already added to the latest 7.0 nightlies. Only 3d viewer support is lacking and some bug fixes over time needed.
Now just a note regarding the schematic editor: while it got a few new nice features, there's something that is, IMO, still severely lacking: the support of TrueType fonts. The default font is OK(-ish) for PCBs, although I would also like being able to select different fonts, but for schematics, it's really annoying. It doesn't look clean on schematics, especially on screen, and even makes it hard to read at lower zoom levels. I know this was one feature listed for v6 actually - and I'm disappointed it didn't end up in it.
Somebody has done an independent add-on, but more oriented to presentation elements than replacing the Hershey fonts; native support for "any font, not just Hershey" is slated for V7.
Custom fonts already added to the latest 7.0 nightlies. Only 3d viewer support is lacking and some bug fixes over time needed.any idea about inclusion of korean/japanese fonts ?
(I get it that the graphics engine is probably the same for schematics and layout, which IMO is a mistake, but that's probably KiCad's long legacy.)
I did not realize schematics entry and PCB layout had a common legacy in KiCad. To me they alwas felt like they were originally developed by two entirely separate teams?
What teams? The original KiCad was essentially developed by one guy.
And, I didn't take a deep look at the source code - especially recently - but this would be my guess that the graphics engine for drawing schematics and PCBs is essentially the same, or at least with a large chunk of common stuff.
Hmm, looks like the macOS builds of the nightlies have been failing for the last 19 days. I wanted to grab the latest 6.99 to look at the font stuff and the cupboard was empty - no nightlies at all. The font stuff hadn't made it into the nightlies for the last macOS build of 6.99 that was available before xmas (and which is now missing too).
(I get it that the graphics engine is probably the same for schematics and layout, which IMO is a mistake, but that's probably KiCad's long legacy.)
I did not realize schematics entry and PCB layout had a common legacy in KiCad. To me they alwas felt like they were originally developed by two entirely separate teams?
What teams? The original KiCad was essentially developed by one guy.
And, I didn't take a deep look at the source code - especially recently - but this would be my guess that the graphics engine for drawing schematics and PCBs is essentially the same, or at least with a large chunk of common stuff.
Anyway, point was not about the tools being separate executables, but the fact they probably share a significant chunk of code, in particular for the graphics rendering. They may have diverged a bit for the OpenGL backend while eeschema didn't have it yet, but otherwise there's probably a lot in common. delfinom can confirm that.