Seventeenth Release of PythonCAD
Hi.
I’m pleased to announce the seventeenth development release of
PythonCAD, a CAD package for open-source software users. As the
name implies, PythonCAD is written entirely in Python. The goal of
this project is to create a fully scriptable drafting program that
will match and eventually exceed features found in commercial CAD
software. PythonCAD is released under the GNU Public License
(GPL).
PythonCAD requires Python 2.2 or Python 2.3. The interface is
GTK 2.0 based, and uses the PyGTK module for interfacing to GTK.
The design of PythonCAD is built around the idea of separating the
interface from the back end as much as possible. By doing this, it
is hoped that both GNOME and KDE interfaces can be added to
PythonCAD through usage of the appropriate Python module. Addition
of other interfaces will depend on the availability of a Python
module for that particular interface and developer interest and
action.
The seventeenth releases of PythonCAD can print! This release
includes the ability of the program to generate a PostScript file
that can either be sent to a printer or saved directly to a file.
Printing support is not entirely complete however, and will be
enhanced over the next several release. This release also includes
improvements in the user interface for changing existing drawing
entities, especially text and dimensions. There have been numerous
improvements made to the code for these entities as well, and
subsequent releases will continue this effort. This release also
includes a restructured code layout that should make PythonCAD less
likely to cause unexpected interactions with other Python based
programs like Zope. Finally, various improvements in the undo/redo
code, plus a good number of bug fixes, are included in this
release.
The mailing list for the development and use of PythonCAD is
available. Visit the following page for information about
subscribing and viewing the mailing list archive:
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/pythoncad
Visit the PythonCAD web site for more information about what
PythonCAD does and aims to be:
Come and join me in developing PythonCAD into a world class
drafting program!
Art Haas
—
Man once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against
absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is
the sport of every wind.
-Thomas Jefferson to James Smith, 1822