UML is a well accepted standard for modeling complex software solutions, but it has never reached executable accuracy. The standard lack a technique that allow executable logic, which is exactly what PLD does. This is key to having a tool with 1:1 between diagrams and code. I started modeling with Entity-Relationship Diagrams years ago, and…
Some of you will remember that I planned a “System Diagram” in Plain! That was a block of configuration code that tied event on modules together. This is exactly what I plan to use UML State Diagrams for. In this diagram we generate a Temp Changed event on one device that is sent to a…
This costed me ca 400.- USD on a local shop, so I decided to try it out. The first thing is the visual look. FlashForge Finder 2 looks like a furniture and can easily be placed in a living room or office. One negative issue is the manual – it’s a bit short and it…
UML State Diagram is a standard, but I find it’s implementation into tools to be wage. So, I implement my own adaption because I intend to have a 1:1 with actual source code. This is not uncommon as most automation tools will have to make adaption in areas where executable accuracy is weak. I was…
Just showing a test diagram on the UML State Engine Designer I am making. It is stoll lots of work and details left, but progress is actually going fast the days I work on it. As for now this is just an experiment. A state engine can visualize some top level flow, but the details…
I must admit that the realism in KiCAD’s 3D model is growing on me, it is great for precentations in here. Adding a 3D package was about selecting an associated 3D model file, so from now on I saved a copy of this footprint with the associated model in my own extension library. Adding drill…
This is a screen-shot of my two screens. I have PCB router on left and schematics on right. As I work on PCB the schematics will show the associated part – neat little detail. KiCAD is actually multiple applications so its perfect to take full advantage of multiple screens as you work. I have routed…
This shows and early draft of rev 1.4 on KiCAD using their normal 3D model. KiCAD have a more realistic version that is a bit slower to draw, but for all poractical purposes it does the job. Accurate details is IMO not important here, the objective is to verify as much of the mechanics as…
1 – Schematics – KiCAD is most definitly a step up. It is much, much faster to work with once you get used to the somewhat weird user interface. 2 – PCB Layout – It is hard to say. I see huge advantages in the life-cycle of interactions between PCB/Schematics as I apply changes. 3…
The graphical user interface on KiCAD is different than most applications. On KiCAD you get little feedback that you have selected something. Editing on PCB is quite “normal” – you select a component and click to move it. Doing the same on schematics are different, you select by using area and the component stick to…