Create Array pad enumeration

[Sebastian]

For many footprints a even/uneven numbering scheme is used for the padnames.

I suggest adding two additional choices for pad scheme numbering called:

 - even
 - uneven

[John Beard (john-j-beard)]

I think this could be done as a "skip" parameter.

For something like a ZIL or FPC footprint, the stagger options and/or numbering options should allow most arrays to be generated all at once already.

For example an array like this:

  1 3 5 7
  2 4 6 8

Can be made with a 4x2 array, with number direction "vertical, then horizontal".

Add a horizontal offset to get:

  1 3 5 7
    2 4 6 8

[Sebastian (herostrat)]

This is true John.

In my particular case, I design edge connectors, where on the top side are even numbered pads, whereas on the bottom side are pads with uneven numbers.

This is a rather special case, I know.
I just thought it would be a worthwile addition.

Even better (and most likely a lot harder to implement) is a formula place, where you can plug in a formula with which the pad number/name can be generated, e.g. with a regex.

But thats overkill for most usecases. And in the cases it would be useful a simple python script would be better suited I guess.

[John Beard (john-j-beard)]

@Sebastian: I see, yes, this is not currently possible to do in one go.

I think a skip parameter makes sense, and perhaps a "flip sides on alternate row/column" might make sense for footprints like this too.

In the Python scripts, the PadArray helper functions actually do allow a formula for pad naming.

[John Beard (john-j-beard)]

Note: A patch for this was submitted in 2015 and died on the mailing list: https://lists.launchpad.net/kicad-developers/msg19326.html

[Sebastian (herostrat)]

I see you already sent in a lot of updates/rework for the array tool:
https://lists.launchpad.net/kicad-developers/msg39213.html

(posted here for tracking this issue)

[KiCad Janitor (kicad-janitor)]

Fixed in revision 0eb8f92c690f4480e14b066536aa7483e4244f98
https://git.launchpad.net/kicad/patch/?id=0eb8f92c690f4480e14b066536aa7483e4244f98