Skill code to move component

Hi Dave, Mike et al,

Let me see if I can explain this better.
Normally you would use place manual and select a specific reference designator that should be moved or placed(if unplaced)

Instead I would like to write mc c1 in the command line and it should launch manual place in hide mode and attach C1 to the cursor for me to place whereever I want.

As soon as the component is placed the manual place dialog should close down again and the Allegro PCB Editor should be left in idle mode.

I've attached a skill program find_cmp.il which basically does what I would like to do with respect to move/place manual. I've also attached my own revision called move_cmp.il which works almost as expected. writing mc c1 in the command line brings c1 to the cursor for movement - I can however not use my shortcuts (r iangle 90 or o pop mirror) and when I place the component the place manual dialog is still open.

I've looked through tons of skill code and also all the examples in share\pcb\examples\skill without finding anything that I could use or some good examples. All code that I can find places objects at specific coordinates which is not what I'm looking for - I've tried looking at the dynamicobjects functions but they're very sparse documented and there's no examples that I can use to understand this better - some of them are written in pseudocode which cannot just be launched for test.

I hope someone knows more about this and can help me, thanks in advance.


Best regards,
Ole


Originally posted in cdnusers.org by ejlersen

Hi Ole,

Attached is some simple code that might help. It demonstrates use of dynamic objects, events, popups and transactions.
It uses some "private" Cadence functions, and some dubious coding of my own for the popups, so use with care. However, I have tested it in 15.2 and 15.5.1 and it possibly does what you want.

It will place symbols off grid. You could fix this by changing the third argument of  axEnterEvent to t and/or change event ->xy to event ->xySnap.

Cheers, Dave

Originally posted in cdnusers.org by Dave Elder

Hi Dave,

This is actually what I'm looking for - this is great.
I can see that you've added the popup menu items - do you know if it is possible also to create keyboard shortcuts that are available during this command?
E.g., pressing R instead of choosing right click and rotate.

Best regards,
Ole

Originally posted in cdnusers.org by ejlersen

Hi Ole,

Try this. I have added keyboard shortcuts and fixed some small bugs.

Cheers, Dave

Originally posted in cdnusers.org by Dave Elder

Hi Dave,

I found an issue, but not the solution yet.
If you pick up a part like shown in the movie at http://www.allegro-pcb.dk/movies/movebyrefdes/movebyrefdes.html you'll see the issue.

I've tried changing the code, but somehow it is related to the first pick made, do you have any suggestions.

Best regards,
Ole

Originally posted in cdnusers.org by ejlersen