Comment 10 for bug 1251393

On 2/14/2018 7:04 AM, jean-pierre charras wrote:
> "The same rules and issues apply for just defining the board outline in
> pcbnew directly"
>
> Not really true.

By "same rules" I meant a fully enclosed board outline. Whether an edge
cut is defined in the board or on in a footprint, the board outline
created by combining all of the edge cut geometry still has to be
enclosed. Are there any other constraints that I am missing?

>
> As I said previously, a board outline has constraints.
>
> When you create the board outline, you know the grid size, and you are
> able to create a closed polygon.
>
> This is not the case when creating a footprint.
>
> Some time ago, creating edge cuts in footprints was allowed.
> The main result was bug reports about not closed board outlines.

I always felt this issue was due to a lack of proper tools in pcbnew.
Once we have segment snapping implemented in the modern canvas, this
issue should be mitigated. You can still draw a board outline that is
not fully enclosed even if you don't use edge cuts from footprints.
Perhaps a DRC check to test for closed board outline polygon would be
useful.

>
> What is the interest to allow things in pcbnew, when these things are
> broken?
>

The only reasonable way to create edge connector footprints is to draw
the board edge along with the pads to ensure the correct spacing and
alignment. There are other footprint that require board cutouts to be
correctly located.