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Date:	Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:13:57 -0400
Message-Id:	<201508281613.t7SGDvk9014801@envy.delorie.com>
From:	DJ Delorie <dj AT delorie DOT com>
To:	geda-user AT delorie DOT com
In-reply-to:	<55E02536.8020202@envinsci.co.uk> (geda-user@delorie.com)
Subject:	Re: [geda-user] when pcb disperse command loses elements
References:	<55E02536 DOT 8020202 AT envinsci DOT co DOT uk>
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> Q1) Is there a case for a feature request, which warns the user about 
> lost footprints when dispersing over too small a workspace?

Bug or not, it's always been the case that dispersing elements spreads
them out a lot, regardless of how big your work area is.  You
generally start with a larger workspace and reduce it once the parts
are placed.

The File->Import option has its own disperse setting that lets you
specify where the parts are put, so they won't go too far but might
overlap.

> Q2) Please can anyone tell me how to select all component designators 
> within the range 100-199, or 200-299, etc? I'm having difficulty working 
> with the regex when using 'select by name'.

In general, you need to know this about regex:

   .*      matches "anything"
   [a-z]   matches one character in that set/range (also: [2-4c-f] or [CRL] "sets")
   []*     matches that set zero or more times
   []+     matches that set one or more times


So to match a few discretes:

   [CLR][12][0-9]*

     matches C1, R205, L11; but not J10 or R3

   .*20[109]

     matches C201, RLY44205, Q209, but not C20 or R45 (and probably not C2023)

Search the web for "regular expression tutorial" for more options
(there are a lot)

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