Fix in KIWAY_PLAYER::ShowModal: the top level windows children of the KIWAY_PLAYER Modal frame are now enabled (previously were disabled). It fix some issues for instance with the aui toolbar when moved, and the dialog open when starting the footprint wizard frame. Perhaps explain a few other bugs.

footprint wizard frame: now shows messages from footprints python scripts. Especially usefull when a parameter is incorrect. Fix also an other issue (IO error) with some scripts which were usint the print command to output messages (now they use the nes message window.

common/kiway_player.cpp

@@ -106,14 +106,32 @@ bool KIWAY_PLAYER::ShowModal( wxString* aResult, wxWindow* aResultantFocusWindow
     SetFocus();
 
     {
-        // exception safe way to disable all frames except the modal one,
+        // We have to disable all frames but the the modal one.
+        // wxWindowDisabler does that, but remember it disables all top level windows
+        // We do not want to disable top level windows which are child off the modal one,
+        // if they are enabled.
+        // An example is an aui toolbar which was moved
+        // or a dialog or an other frame or miniframe opened by the modal one.
+        wxWindowList wlist = GetChildren();
+        std::vector<wxWindow*> enabledTopLevelWindows;
+
+        for( unsigned ii = 0; ii < wlist.size(); ii++ )
+            if( wlist[ii]->IsTopLevel() && wlist[ii]->IsEnabled() )
+                enabledTopLevelWindows.push_back( wlist[ii] );
+
+
+        // exception safe way to disable all top level windows except the modal one,
         // re-enables only those that were disabled on exit
         wxWindowDisabler    toggle( this );
 
-        WX_EVENT_LOOP          event_loop;
+        // Reenable top level windows which are child of the modal one:
+        for( unsigned ii = 0; ii < wlist.size(); ii++ )
 
-        m_modal_loop = &event_loop;
+        for( unsigned ii = 0; ii < enabledTopLevelWindows.size(); ii++ )
+               enabledTopLevelWindows[ii]->Enable( true );
 
+        WX_EVENT_LOOP event_loop;
+        m_modal_loop = &event_loop;
         event_loop.Run();
 
     }   // End of scop for some variables.

pcb_calculator/dialogs/pcb_calculator_frame_base.cpp

@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ PCB_CALCULATOR_FRAME_BASE::PCB_CALCULATOR_FRAME_BASE( wxWindow* parent, wxWindow
 	m_panelRegulators->SetSizer( bSizerMainReg );
 	m_panelRegulators->Layout();
 	bSizerMainReg->Fit( m_panelRegulators );
-	m_Notebook->AddPage( m_panelRegulators, _("Regulators"), true );
+	m_Notebook->AddPage( m_panelRegulators, _("Regulators"), false );
 	m_panelTrackWidth = new wxPanel( m_Notebook, wxID_ANY, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, wxTAB_TRAVERSAL );
 	wxBoxSizer* bSizerTrackWidth;
 	bSizerTrackWidth = new wxBoxSizer( wxHORIZONTAL );
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ PCB_CALCULATOR_FRAME_BASE::PCB_CALCULATOR_FRAME_BASE( wxWindow* parent, wxWindow
 	sbSizerTW_Prms->Add( fgSizerTWprms, 0, wxEXPAND, 5 );
 	
 	
-	bSizeLeft->Add( sbSizerTW_Prms, 1, wxALL|wxEXPAND, 5 );
+	bSizeLeft->Add( sbSizerTW_Prms, 0, wxALL|wxEXPAND, 5 );
 	
 	m_htmlWinFormulas = new wxHtmlWindow( m_panelTrackWidth, wxID_ANY, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, wxHW_NO_SELECTION|wxHW_SCROLLBAR_AUTO|wxSIMPLE_BORDER );
 	m_htmlWinFormulas->SetForegroundColour( wxSystemSettings::GetColour( wxSYS_COLOUR_WINDOW ) );
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ PCB_CALCULATOR_FRAME_BASE::PCB_CALCULATOR_FRAME_BASE( wxWindow* parent, wxWindow
 	m_panelTrackWidth->SetSizer( bSizerTrackWidth );
 	m_panelTrackWidth->Layout();
 	bSizerTrackWidth->Fit( m_panelTrackWidth );
-	m_Notebook->AddPage( m_panelTrackWidth, _("Track Width"), false );
+	m_Notebook->AddPage( m_panelTrackWidth, _("Track Width"), true );
 	m_panelElectricalSpacing = new wxPanel( m_Notebook, wxID_ANY, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, wxTAB_TRAVERSAL );
 	wxBoxSizer* bSizerElectricalClearance;
 	bSizerElectricalClearance = new wxBoxSizer( wxHORIZONTAL );

pcb_calculator/dialogs/pcb_calculator_frame_base.fbp

@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@
                         <object class="notebookpage" expanded="1">
                             <property name="bitmap"></property>
                             <property name="label">Regulators</property>
-                            <property name="select">1</property>
+                            <property name="select">0</property>
                             <object class="wxPanel" expanded="1">
                                 <property name="BottomDockable">1</property>
                                 <property name="LeftDockable">1</property>
@@ -3267,7 +3267,7 @@
                         <object class="notebookpage" expanded="1">
                             <property name="bitmap"></property>
                             <property name="label">Track Width</property>
-                            <property name="select">0</property>
+                            <property name="select">1</property>
                             <object class="wxPanel" expanded="1">
                                 <property name="BottomDockable">1</property>
                                 <property name="LeftDockable">1</property>
@@ -3359,7 +3359,7 @@
                                             <object class="sizeritem" expanded="0">
                                                 <property name="border">5</property>
                                                 <property name="flag">wxALL|wxEXPAND</property>
-                                                <property name="proportion">1</property>
+                                                <property name="proportion">0</property>
                                                 <object class="wxStaticBoxSizer" expanded="1">
                                                     <property name="id">wxID_ANY</property>
                                                     <property name="label">Parameters</property>

pcbnew/class_footprint_wizard.h

@@ -116,8 +116,10 @@ public:
      * Function GetModule
      * This method builds the module itself and returns it to the caller function
      * @return  PCB module built from the parameters given to the class
+     * @param aMessage a wxString to store messages (if any) generated by the
+     * footprint generator
      */
-    virtual MODULE*         GetModule() = 0;
+    virtual MODULE*         GetFootprint( wxString* aMessage ) = 0;
 
     /**
      * Function GetObject

pcbnew/footprint_wizard.cpp

@@ -101,7 +101,9 @@ void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::ReloadFootprint()
     GetBoard()->m_Modules.DeleteAll();
 
     // Creates the module
-    MODULE* module = footprintWizard->GetModule();
+    wxString msg;
+    MODULE* module = footprintWizard->GetFootprint( &msg );
+    DisplayBuildMessage( msg );
 
     if( module )
     {
@@ -111,13 +113,22 @@ void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::ReloadFootprint()
     }
     else
     {
-        DBG(printf( "footprintWizard->GetModule() returns NULL\n" );)
+        DBG(printf( "footprintWizard->GetFootprint() returns NULL\n" );)
     }
 
     m_canvas->Refresh();
 }
 
 
+void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::DisplayBuildMessage( wxString& aMessage )
+{
+    m_messagesFrame->ClearScreen();
+
+    if( !aMessage.IsEmpty() )
+        m_messagesFrame->PrintMessage( aMessage );
+}
+
+
 FOOTPRINT_WIZARD* FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::GetMyWizard()
 {
     if( m_wizardName.Length() == 0 )
@@ -141,7 +152,11 @@ MODULE* FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::GetBuiltFootprint()
 
     if( footprintWizard && m_modal_ret_val )
     {
-        return footprintWizard->GetModule();
+        wxString msg;
+        MODULE * footprint = footprintWizard->GetFootprint( &msg );
+        DisplayBuildMessage( msg );
+
+        return footprint;
     }
 
     return NULL;

pcbnew/footprint_wizard_frame.cpp

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * This program source code file is part of KiCad, a free EDA CAD application.
  *
  * Copyright (C) 2012-2015 Miguel Angel Ajo Pelayo <miguelangel@nbee.es>
- * Copyright (C) 2012-2015 Jean-Pierre Charras, jaen-pierre.charras
+ * Copyright (C) 2012-2015 Jean-Pierre Charras, jp.charras at  wanadoo.fr
  * Copyright (C) 2008-2015 Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@verizon.net>
  * Copyright (C) 2004-2015 KiCad Developers, see change_log.txt for contributors.
  *
@@ -207,7 +207,11 @@ FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway,
     Zoom_Automatique( false );
 #endif
 
+    // Prepare the window to display the message generated by the footprint script builder
+    m_messagesFrame = new FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES( this, config() );
+
     Show( true );
+    m_messagesFrame->Show( true );
 
     SelectFootprintWizard();
 }
@@ -215,6 +219,8 @@ FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway,
 
 FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::~FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME()
 {
+    m_messagesFrame->CloseMessagesWindow();
+
     if( m_Draw3DFrame )
         m_Draw3DFrame->Destroy();
 }
@@ -382,8 +388,8 @@ void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::ClickOnPageList( wxCommandEvent& event )
 }
 
 
-#define PARTLIST_WIDTH_KEY  wxT( "Partlist_width" )
-#define PARAMLIST_WIDTH_KEY wxT( "Paramlist_width" )
+#define PARTLIST_WIDTH_KEY  wxT( "Fpwizard_Partlist_width" )
+#define PARAMLIST_WIDTH_KEY wxT( "Fpwizard_Paramlist_width" )
 
 
 void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::LoadSettings( wxConfigBase* aCfg )
@@ -407,7 +413,7 @@ void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::SaveSettings( wxConfigBase* aCfg )
     EDA_DRAW_FRAME::SaveSettings( aCfg );
 
     aCfg->Write( PARTLIST_WIDTH_KEY, m_pageList->GetSize().x );
-    aCfg->Write( PARAMLIST_WIDTH_KEY, m_parameterGrid->GetSize().x );
+    aCfg->Write( PARAMLIST_WIDTH_KEY, m_parameterGridWidth );
 }
 
 
@@ -614,3 +620,85 @@ void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::ReCreateVToolbar()
 {
     // Currently, there is no vertical toolbar
 }
+
+
+// frame to display messages from footprint builder scripts
+FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES::FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES( FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME* aParent, wxConfigBase* aCfg ) :
+        wxMiniFrame( aParent, wxID_ANY, _( "Footprint Builder Messages" ),
+                     wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize,
+                     wxCAPTION | wxRESIZE_BORDER | wxFRAME_FLOAT_ON_PARENT )
+{
+    m_messageWindow = new wxTextCtrl( this, wxID_ANY );
+
+	wxBoxSizer* bSizer = new wxBoxSizer( wxVERTICAL );
+	SetSizer( bSizer );
+
+	m_messageWindow = new wxTextCtrl( this, wxID_ANY, wxEmptyString,
+                                      wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize,
+                                      wxTE_MULTILINE|wxTE_READONLY );
+	bSizer->Add( m_messageWindow, 1, wxEXPAND, 0 );
+
+    m_config = aCfg;
+
+    LoadSettings();
+
+    SetSize( m_position.x, m_position.y, m_size.x, m_size.y );
+
+    m_messageWindow->SetMinSize( wxSize( 350, 250 ) );
+	Layout();
+
+    bSizer->SetSizeHints( this );
+}
+
+
+void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES::CloseMessagesWindow()
+{
+    if( !IsIconized() )
+    {
+        m_position = GetPosition();
+        m_size = GetSize();
+    }
+
+    SaveSettings();
+
+    Close();
+}
+
+
+FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES::~FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES()
+{
+}
+
+void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES::PrintMessage( const wxString& aMessage )
+{
+    m_messageWindow->SetValue( aMessage );
+}
+
+
+void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES::ClearScreen()
+{
+    m_messageWindow->Clear();
+}
+
+
+#define MESSAGE_BOX_POSX_KEY wxT( "Fpwizard_Msg_PosX" )
+#define MESSAGE_BOX_POSY_KEY wxT( "Fpwizard_Msg_PosY" )
+#define MESSAGE_BOX_SIZEX_KEY wxT( "Fpwizard_Msg_SIZEX" )
+#define MESSAGE_BOX_SIZEY_KEY wxT( "Fpwizard_Msg_SIZEY" )
+
+void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES::SaveSettings()
+{
+    m_config->Write( MESSAGE_BOX_POSX_KEY, m_position.x );
+    m_config->Write( MESSAGE_BOX_POSY_KEY, m_position.y );
+    m_config->Write( MESSAGE_BOX_SIZEX_KEY, m_size.x );
+    m_config->Write( MESSAGE_BOX_SIZEY_KEY, m_size.y );
+}
+
+
+void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES::LoadSettings()
+{
+    m_config->Read( MESSAGE_BOX_POSX_KEY, &m_position.x, -1 );
+    m_config->Read( MESSAGE_BOX_POSY_KEY, &m_position.y, -1 );
+    m_config->Read( MESSAGE_BOX_SIZEX_KEY, &m_size.x, 350 );
+    m_config->Read( MESSAGE_BOX_SIZEY_KEY, &m_size.y, 250 );
+}

pcbnew/footprint_wizard_frame.h

@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ class wxGrid;
 class wxGridEvent;
 class FOOTPRINT_EDIT_FRAME;
 
+// A helper class to display messages when building a footprin
+class FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES;
 
 /**
  * Class FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME
@@ -50,6 +52,7 @@ private:
     int             m_pageListWidth;        ///< width of the window
     wxGrid*         m_parameterGrid;        ///< The list of parameters
     int             m_parameterGridWidth;   ///< size of the grid
+    FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES* m_messagesFrame;
 
     // Column index to display parameters in m_parameterGrid
     static int      m_columnPrmName;
@@ -112,6 +115,12 @@ private:
      */
     void                ReloadFootprint();
 
+    /**
+     * Function DisplayBuildMessages
+     * Display the message generated by the python build footprint script
+     */
+    void                DisplayBuildMessage( wxString& aMessage );
+
     /**
      * Function GetMyWizard
      * Reloads the wizard by name
@@ -188,4 +197,24 @@ private:
     DECLARE_EVENT_TABLE()
 };
 
+
+// A miniframe to display messages from the builder
+class FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES: public wxMiniFrame
+{
+public:
+    FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES( FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME* aParent, wxConfigBase* aCfg );
+    ~FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_MESSAGES();
+    void PrintMessage( const wxString& aMessage );
+    void ClearScreen();
+	void CloseMessagesWindow();
+    void SaveSettings();
+    void LoadSettings();
+
+private:
+    wxTextCtrl* m_messageWindow;
+    wxPoint m_position;
+    wxSize m_size;
+    wxConfigBase* m_config;
+};
+
 #endif    // FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRM_H_

pcbnew/scripting/pcbnew_footprint_wizards.cpp

@@ -314,11 +314,14 @@ wxString PYTHON_FOOTPRINT_WIZARD::SetParameterValues( int aPage, wxArrayString&
 MODULE* PyModule_to_MODULE( PyObject* obj0 );
 
 
-MODULE* PYTHON_FOOTPRINT_WIZARD::GetModule()
+MODULE* PYTHON_FOOTPRINT_WIZARD::GetFootprint( wxString * aMessages )
 {
     PyLOCK      lock;
 
-    PyObject*   result = CallMethod( "GetModule", NULL );
+    PyObject*   result = CallMethod( "GetFootprint", NULL );
+
+    if( aMessages )
+        *aMessages = CallRetStrMethod( "GetBuildMessages", NULL );
 
     if( !result )
         return NULL;

pcbnew/scripting/pcbnew_footprint_wizards.h

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public:
     wxArrayString   GetParameterErrors( int aPage );
     // must return an empty string or an error description
     wxString        SetParameterValues( int aPage, wxArrayString& aValues );
-    MODULE*         GetModule();
+    MODULE*         GetFootprint( wxString * aMessages );
     void*           GetObject();
 };
 

pcbnew/scripting/plugins/FPC_(SMD_type)_footprintwizard.py

@@ -62,12 +62,12 @@ class FPCFootprintWizard(FootprintWizardPlugin):
     # This method checks the parameters provided to wizard and set errors
     def CheckParameters(self):
         p = self.parameters
-        pads            = p["Pads"]["*n"]
+        pad_count       = p["Pads"]["*n"]
         errors = ""
-        if (pads<1):
+        if( pad_count < 1 ):
             self.parameter_errors["Pads"]["n"]="Must be positive"
             errors +="Pads/n has wrong value, "
-        p["Pads"]["n"] = int(pads)  # make sure it stays as int (default is float)
+        p["Pads"]["n"] = int( pad_count )  # make sure it stays as int (default is float)
 
         pad_width       = p["Pads"]["width"]
         pad_height      = p["Pads"]["height"]
@@ -82,16 +82,14 @@ class FPCFootprintWizard(FootprintWizardPlugin):
 
     # build the footprint from parameters
     def BuildFootprint(self):
-
-        print "parameters:",self.parameters
-        #self.ClearErrors()
-        #print "errors:",self.parameter_errors
+        self.ClearErrors()
+        self.CheckParameters()
 
         module = MODULE(None) # create a new module
         self.module = module
 
         p = self.parameters
-        pads            = int(p["Pads"]["*n"])
+        pad_count       = int(p["Pads"]["*n"])
         pad_width       = p["Pads"]["width"]
         pad_height      = p["Pads"]["height"]
         pad_pitch       = p["Pads"]["pitch"]
@@ -100,13 +98,13 @@ class FPCFootprintWizard(FootprintWizardPlugin):
         shl_to_pad      = p["Shield"]["shield_to_pad"]
         shl_from_top    = p["Shield"]["from_top"]
 
-        offsetX         = pad_pitch*(pads-1)/2
+        offsetX         = pad_pitch * ( pad_count-1 ) / 2
         size_pad = wxSize(pad_width,pad_height)
         size_shld = wxSize(shl_width,shl_height)
         size_text = wxSize( FromMM( 0.8), FromMM( 0.7) )
         textposy = pad_height/2 + FromMM(1)
 
-        module.SetReference("FPC"+str(pads))   # give it a reference name
+        module.SetReference( "FPC"+str( pad_count ) )   # give it a reference name
         module.Reference().SetPos0(wxPoint(0, textposy))
         module.Reference().SetTextPosition(module.Reference().GetPos0())
         module.Reference().SetSize( size_text )
@@ -121,7 +119,7 @@ class FPCFootprintWizard(FootprintWizardPlugin):
         module.SetFPID( fpid )
 
         # create a pad array and add it to the module
-        for n in range (0,pads):
+        for n in range ( 0, pad_count ):
             xpos = pad_pitch*n - offsetX
             pad = self.smdRectPad(module,size_pad,wxPoint(xpos,0),str(n+1))
             module.Add(pad)
@@ -131,7 +129,7 @@ class FPCFootprintWizard(FootprintWizardPlugin):
         xpos = -shl_to_pad-offsetX
         pad_s0_pos = wxPoint(xpos,shl_from_top)
         pad_s0 = self.smdRectPad(module, size_shld, pad_s0_pos, "0")
-        xpos = (pads-1)*pad_pitch+shl_to_pad-offsetX
+        xpos = (pad_count-1) * pad_pitch+shl_to_pad - offsetX
         pad_s1_pos = wxPoint(xpos,shl_from_top)
         pad_s1 = self.smdRectPad(module, size_shld, pad_s1_pos, "0")
 
@@ -147,7 +145,7 @@ class FPCFootprintWizard(FootprintWizardPlugin):
         # upper line
         posy = -pad_height/2 - linewidth/2 - margin
         xstart = - pad_pitch*0.5-offsetX
-        xend = pad_pitch * pads + xstart;
+        xend = pad_pitch * pad_count + xstart;
         outline.SetStartEnd( wxPoint(xstart, posy), wxPoint( xend, posy) )
         outline.SetLayer(F_SilkS)               #default: not needed
         outline.SetShape(S_SEGMENT)

pcbnew/scripting/plugins/HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin.py

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class FootprintWizardParameterManager:
         TODO: Hints are not supported, as there is as yet nowhere to
         put them in the KiCAD interface
         """
-
+        error = ""
         val = None
         if unit == self.uMM:
             val = pcbnew.FromMM(default)
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ class FootprintWizardParameterManager:
         elif unit == self.uBool:
             val = "True" if default else "False"  # ugly stringing
         else:
-            print "Warning: Unknown unit type: %s" % unit
-            return
+            error = "Warning: Unknown unit type: %s" % unit
+            return error
 
         if unit in [self.uNatural, self.uBool, self.uString]:
             param = "*%s" % param  # star prefix for natural
@@ -85,12 +85,17 @@ class FootprintWizardParameterManager:
 
         self.parameters[section][param] = val
 
+        return error
+
+
     def _PrintParameterTable(self):
         """
         Pretty-print the parameters we have
         """
+        message = ""
+
         for name, section in self.parameters.iteritems():
-            print "  %s:" % name
+            message += "  %s:" % name
 
             for key, value in section.iteritems():
                 unit = ""
@@ -103,7 +108,10 @@ class FootprintWizardParameterManager:
                 else:
                     value = pcbnew.ToMM(value)
 
-                print "    %s: %s%s" % (key, value, unit)
+                message += "    %s: %s%s\n" % (key, value, unit)
+
+        return message
+
 
     def _ParametersHaveErrors(self):
         """
@@ -121,6 +129,7 @@ class FootprintWizardParameterManager:
         """
         Pretty-print parameters with errors
         """
+        errors = ""
 
         for name, section in self.parameter_errors.iteritems():
             printed_section = False
@@ -128,11 +137,13 @@ class FootprintWizardParameterManager:
             for key, value in section.iteritems():
                 if value:
                     if not printed_section:
-                        print "  %s:" % name
+                        errors += "  %s:" % name
 
-                    print "       %s: %s (have %s)" % (
+                    errors += "       %s: %s (have %s)\n" % (
                         key, value, self.parameters[name][key])
 
+        return errors
+
     def ProcessParameters(self):
         """
         Make sure the parameters we have meet whatever expectations the
@@ -143,22 +154,8 @@ class FootprintWizardParameterManager:
         self.CheckParameters()
 
         if self._ParametersHaveErrors():
-            print "Cannot build footprint: Parameters have errors:"
-            self._PrintParameterErrors()
             return False
 
-        """
-        Be aware print messages create IO exceptions, because the wizard
-        is run from Pcbnew. And if pcbnew is not run from a console, there is
-        no io channel to read the output of print function.
-        When the buffer is full, a IO exception is thrown.
-        """
-        """
-        print ("Building new %s footprint with the following parameters:"
-               % self.name)
-
-        self._PrintParameterTable()
-        """
         return True
 
     #################################################################
@@ -283,18 +280,27 @@ class HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin(pcbnew.FootprintWizardPlugin,
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def BuildFootprint(self):
+    def BuildFootprint( self ):
         """
         Actually make the footprint. We defer all but the setup to
-        the implmenting class
+        the implementing class
         """
 
+        self.buildmessages = ""
+
         self.module = pcbnew.MODULE(None)  # create a new module
         # do it first, so if we return early, we don't segfault KiCad
 
         if not self.ProcessParameters():
+            self.buildmessages = "Cannot build footprint: Parameters have errors:\n"
+            self.buildmessages += self._PrintParameterErrors()
             return
 
+        self.buildmessages = ("Building new %s footprint with the following parameters:\n"
+                   % self.name)
+
+        self.buildmessages += self._PrintParameterTable()
+
         self.draw = FootprintWizardDrawingAids.FootprintWizardDrawingAids(
             self.module)
 
@@ -312,3 +318,5 @@ class HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin(pcbnew.FootprintWizardPlugin,
         self.module.Value().SetThickness(thick)
 
         self.BuildThisFootprint()  # implementer's build function
+
+        return

pcbnew/scripting/plugins/qfp_wizard.py

@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ class QFPWizard(HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin.HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin):
         self.AddParam("Pads", "package height", self.uMM, 14)
 
     def CheckParameters(self):
-
         self.CheckParamInt("Pads", "*n", is_multiple_of=4)
         self.CheckParamBool("Pads", "*oval")
 
@@ -50,7 +49,6 @@ class QFPWizard(HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin.HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin):
         return "QFP_%d" % self.parameters["Pads"]["*n"]
 
     def BuildThisFootprint(self):
-
         pads = self.parameters["Pads"]
 
         pad_pitch = pads["pad pitch"]
@@ -66,15 +64,12 @@ class QFPWizard(HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin.HelpfulFootprintWizardPlugin):
 
         pad_shape = pcbnew.PAD_SHAPE_OVAL if pads["*oval"] else pcbnew.PAD_SHAPE_RECT
 
-        h_pad = PA.PadMaker(self.module).SMDPad(
-            pad_width, pad_length, shape=pad_shape)
-        v_pad = PA.PadMaker(self.module).SMDPad(
-            pad_length, pad_width, shape=pad_shape)
+        h_pad = PA.PadMaker(self.module).SMDPad( pad_width, pad_length, shape=pad_shape)
+        v_pad = PA.PadMaker(self.module).SMDPad( pad_length, pad_width, shape=pad_shape)
 
         #left row
         pin1Pos = pcbnew.wxPoint(-h_pitch / 2, 0)
-        array = PA.PadLineArray(h_pad, pads_per_row, pad_pitch, True,
-                                pin1Pos)
+        array = PA.PadLineArray(h_pad, pads_per_row, pad_pitch, True, pin1Pos)
         array.SetFirstPadInArray(1)
         array.AddPadsToModule(self.draw)
 

scripting/kicadplugins.i

@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ class FootprintWizardPlugin(KiCadPlugin):
         self.name = "Undefined Footprint Wizard plugin"
         self.description = ""
         self.image = ""
+        self.buildmessages = ""
 
     def GetName(self):
         return self.name
@@ -242,13 +243,16 @@ class FootprintWizardPlugin(KiCadPlugin):
         self.parameter_errors = errs
 
 
-    def GetModule(self):
+    def GetFootprint( self ):
         self.BuildFootprint()
         return self.module
 
     def BuildFootprint(self):
         return
 
+    def GetBuildMessages( self ):
+        return self.buildmessages
+
     def Show(self):
         print "Footprint Wizard Name:        ",self.GetName()
         print "Footprint Wizard Description: ",self.GetDescription()