Rotating silkscreen text less than 90degrees

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billybob884
Posts: 4
Joined: 20 Jan 2018, 16:06

Rotating silkscreen text less than 90degrees

#1 Post by billybob884 » 23 Jun 2018, 15:49

Hello, is there a way to rotate silkscreen text at increments smaller than 90degrees? I have components rotated to 45deg (and some at smaller values), and being able to align the text would be useful for some of the tighter spots.

I found an old post about it from 2010 claiming the feature was due to be added, but I'm not sure if it actually was?
viewtopic.php?t=70

MPman859
Posts: 12
Joined: 12 Jun 2018, 08:22

Re: Rotating silkscreen text less than 90degrees

#2 Post by MPman859 » 28 Jun 2018, 12:22

I would also like this feature added. Pretty often I need components rotated 45deg (sometimes 30deg) and their refdes should do so too.

Tomg
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Posts: 2028
Joined: 20 Jun 2015, 07:39

Re: Rotating silkscreen text less than 90degrees

#3 Post by Tomg » 29 Jun 2018, 00:04

There is a workaround that will allow you to rotate text, but the method is a bit convoluted and the result will be a collection of "dumb" line segments on the Top Silk layer. If you are still interested, here is the procedure...
1) Open a new, blank PCB and place the desired text on the Top Silk layer close to the origin (0,0) of the Design Area.
2) Export the Top Silk layer as a Gerber file to a convenient folder (e.g. Desktop) and close the PCB without saving.
3) Open your work-in-progress PCB and import the newly-created Gerber file (Import mode: Add, Convert to: Top Silk).
4) Select/highlight all of the newly-imported line segments and group them together (Ctrl + G).
5) Right-click on the newly-formed group, select Define Angle in the pop-up menu and choose your poison in the fly-out menu.
6) Move the newly-rotated group to the desired location.

This procedure converts the standard text block into numerous "dumb" line segments on the Top Silk layer. Since the result is no longer a text block, the new "text" cannot be edited.
Tom

billybob884
Posts: 4
Joined: 20 Jan 2018, 16:06

Re: Rotating silkscreen text less than 90degrees

#4 Post by billybob884 » 29 Jun 2018, 00:53

Thanks, but it sounds like a bit too much hassle. Is there a way to formally request features?

Tomg
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Posts: 2028
Joined: 20 Jun 2015, 07:39

Re: Rotating silkscreen text less than 90degrees

#5 Post by Tomg » 29 Jun 2018, 02:17

Try the Feature requests forum above - viewforum.php?f=8
Tom

billybob884
Posts: 4
Joined: 20 Jan 2018, 16:06

Re: Rotating silkscreen text less than 90degrees

#6 Post by billybob884 » 29 Jun 2018, 02:21

Ah, I see you've already added a request for it back in 2016
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11348&p=21554

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