gEDA-user: Fiducial

[John Griessen]

Dan McMahill wrote:
>>>Does this need to be a feature?
>> I'm not an expert in PCB layout tools but  it seems worthy 
> I think it is important but I'm not sure when I'll have time.  I wonder 
> if maybe just a "nopaste" flag for pins/pads is enough. 

If we could show it as a layer and add a rectangle, I think it would be less 
error prone.   Checking for such rare things as an added rectangle on soldermask 
or paste could be like:   show only solderpaste layer, select all, see count.

As far as one side only fiducial workarounds, how about these:

Make opposed, offset L lines in a copper layer so their edges are on 
intersecting X and Y axes.  Etching results might make the edges eaten back from 
a perfect line through them all, but you could still use them as fiducials by 
aiming for the middle of the gap.  This approximates a fiducial of alternating 
squares of black and clear.

Another is a zero length line to get a circle of copper layer.  Same as a zero 
diameter via, but on one side only.