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+ pcb-rnd devlog
+ requirements for parametric footprint generation
+
+It's appealing to write parametric footprint generators for new footprint
+families: invest some time once, and have a tool that can spit out
+dozens of footprints. However, it is not always worth having a generator
+instead of static footprints. The minimal requirements for a generator are:
+
+
+
+- the footprint family is a series of footprints that can be generated
+using the same code, with changing some base properties (e.g. number of
+pins)
+
+
- dimensions and other properties can be calculated from the base
+properties with reasonable formulas and conditional code; e.g. sot* is not
+a good candidate for generation, as sot23 or sot89 can not be generated
+from some common anestor by varying one or two parameters, but would need
+a large table that translates package name to a pattern - easier to keep
+those in static footprint files
+
+
- has a reasonable amount of existing variations; e.g. it is not worth
+writing a generator for the dsub family because there are only a few of
+them in common use (db9, db15, db25, and maybe db37).
+
+
- preferably a link to a datasheet that shows at least 3 members of the
+family; if that's not possible, separate datasheets describing at least 3
+members of the family.
+
+