I started out thinking that visual diffs for PCB artwork was a great idea, but as I think it through, I don't see a whole lot of value.
Circuit board layout is not like code where you can reduce changes to diffs. Often you want to look at the entire layout because the change may have a side effect that you don't see from just the diff: e.g., re-routing a 120VAC input line near the connector that your pH sensor connects to. The layout is all that has changed, but that change can have an effect on something completely unrelated.
Absolutely version control for schematics/artwork is a good idea: that's a given. But I'm not sold on being able to visually diff the changes.
On an unrelated note: did that PCB layout shown make anyone else cringe? I still shudder thinking about it.
Circuit board layout is not like code where you can reduce changes to diffs. Often you want to look at the entire layout because the change may have a side effect that you don't see from just the diff: e.g., re-routing a 120VAC input line near the connector that your pH sensor connects to. The layout is all that has changed, but that change can have an effect on something completely unrelated.
Absolutely version control for schematics/artwork is a good idea: that's a given. But I'm not sold on being able to visually diff the changes.
On an unrelated note: did that PCB layout shown make anyone else cringe? I still shudder thinking about it.