Pcbnew: allow to increment module refdes in arrays

[John Beard]

In 5.0 and 5.1 (as of 26d04269a), the module refdes are not incremented when arrayed in pcbnew. This means works for panelisation but is not that helpful when arraying items.

Perhaps array numbering is the wrong approach here, as a better solution might be an array constraint tool (along with other geometric constraints).

Another (or complementary) idea is to add an "array distribute" to the "Align/Distribute" menu, and avoid using the array tool for layout purposes of modules, as, ideally, modules wouldn't need to be deleted/created/numbered without co-operation from the netlist.

Spun out from https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1819106

[Grzegorz Obuch (grzegorzobuch)]

I work a lot on many pcb with LEDs placed in array and in KiCad 5.0 it looks like this:
Typically if the project is complicated, I manually distribute them on special grid, draw minimal repeatable tracks and/or zones, and use array tool only for track and zones.

In simple LED strips I use array tool for LED too, without generating netlist for them. In this case I only check the clearance with DRC and… visually check the connections.

"Array distribute" may speed up my work perfectly in that case.
It should allow to define the filters of elements to be distributed, for example, elements with defined offset from start number or selected part number.

Now making a display with hundreds of LEDs is very time-consuming for me, especially the schematic...

For a larger number of elements to be duplicated, a better solution would be a special designation of these elements in the schematic with their own numbering containing the block number (e.g +1000).
Making a copy of this part of the schematic should automatically change the block number to the next free, similarly to the pcb.

I think the simplest solution that does not require a lot of work would be the option of manually setting the offset in array menu...
Set to 0 – for panelisation
Set to known number of parts - natural numbering, or any special situations.
Set to something like 1000 – add block number.
For me it allows you to easily do everything that I imagine at the moment with small amount of additional work.
The offset calculated automatically should only be an additional option.
In Eeschema should be the same array tool…

[Grzegorz Obuch (grzegorzobuch)]

One thing else - why not ad a tool in pcbnew such as "Edit symbol fields" in eeschema?
Maybe it could be the same tool..

If you can use the copy and paste of the module's position from the spreadsheet, you can do it all without a special tool...

The possibility of using the "array distribute" to the selected one row with grouped elements could be very convenient.

An additional advantage - the ability to change other options of the modules in one place instead of in each one separately.

[KiCad Janitor (kicad-janitor)]

KiCad bug tracker has moved to Gitlab. This report is now available here: https://gitlab.com/kicad/code/kicad/-/issues/4687