MCAD like quality of life improvements

[synaption]

Most of what I want improved in kicad and EDA in general involves adding MCAD like features that would greatly improve quality of life. For me, the improved object snapping in v6 was a game changer. Some feature requests I have found need for in the last week alone include the following.

While drawing a line, taking a measurement, or similar, holding shift/ctrl/alt/tab or another key should constrain the movement to 90 or 45 degree axis. Another key should lock the axis to it’s current position.

While drawing a line, making a shape, or similar, I should be able to start at a point and key in the distance to the next point leaving me to select the orientation of the feature I am adding but not it’s length.

More options for making circles, squares, and similar. Start at one corner, start in the center etc.

When mirroring I should be able to select the axis to mirror across. And when rotating, I should be able to select the axis to rotate around.

I should be able to change the grid origin point. I know the upper right corner being 0,0 is more or less universal. But I often wish I could change that. If people want to stick with the norm, then they do not have to change it.

[marekr]

@synaption

I should be able to change the grid origin point. I know the upper right corner being 0,0 is more or less universal. But I often wish I could change that. If people want to stick with the norm, then they do not have to change it.

That’s already a feature for a long time.
Also you can change axes direction in Preferences separate from the grid origin.

[synaption]

Hey would you look at that! I guess the info I was reading was outdated. Thanks.

[mf_ibfeew]

… holding shift/ctrl/alt/tab or another key should constrain the movement to 90 or 45 degree axis.

Not quite the same as a modifier key, but maybe helps: Shift+Space changes between free angle mode and 90° restricted mode. Works in board and schematic editor.

And yes, I would also like the modifier key switching ebtween 90°/free angle and the current grid-snapping modifier (current: CTRfL) as a standard hotkey grid snapping on/off. Because that’s more common with other CAD (and drawing) programs I know of.

And when rotating, I should be able to select the axis to rotate around.

You may try the “Move exactly” command.
Either assign a hotkey or use RMB-click-_>context menu–>positioning tools–>Move exactly. The rotation center can be selected.

[maui]

@synaption

Most of what I want improved in kicad and EDA in general involves adding MCAD like features that would greatly improve quality of life.

if you want to give it a try, you could have a look at kicadStepUp MCAD collaboration:

kicad StepUp: ECAD MCAD Synchronization

[synaption]

I’m aware of how good the integration is getting. It almost has me wanting to switch from solidworks to freecad. freecad is just not there yet.

[synaption]

That does go along way actually. Thanks.

[synaption]

I’ll add a trim tool and offset function to the list of things I want or maybe just don’t know how to do.

[synaption]

Wait a second. I don’t think set grid origin point does what I was asking for. If I set the origin to 100mm,100mm it does not change 0,0 to that point. It just aligns the grid with that point. What I am trying to accomplish is making it easier to add dimensions by coordinate which I wouldn’t need to do much if I could just enter the length of a line that I want to make.

[marekr]