Fourth release of PythonCAD now available

[Art Haas <ahaas airmail net>]

I'd like to announce the fourth 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. 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 fourth release has major improvements in dimensioning. Angular dimensions
are now available, and linear dimensions will be displayed. There is also
more visual feedback when creating any dimension, and the display of
the dimension text has been improved. Check out the new screenshots on the
PythonCAD screenshot page showing these changes. There is more visual
feedback when creating arcs now, and various other user interface elements
have been improved. The usual assortment of bug fixes and code improvements
are added, and although not seen directly when using the program, these
changes have increased the stability and robustness of PythonCAD. More
routines have had been documented, and many routines have been updated
to current code standards.

This release coincides with providing read-only access to the PythonCAD
Subversion repository. Subversion is similar to CVS, but is aiming
to be the successor to that program. By making the repository available
to everyone, it is hoped that downloading and developing PythonCAD will
be simpler for more developers and users, and will increase the speed of
PythonCAD development. Details about downloading PythonCAD with Subversion
are found on the PythonCAD web site. For more details about Subversion,
go to the program's home page:

http://subversion.tigris.org

Visit the PythonCAD web site for more information about what PythonCAD
does and aims to be:

http://www.pythoncad.org

Come and join me in developing PythonCAD into a world class drafting
program!

Art Haas
-- 
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety.
 -- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759