Advanced Features

Advanced Features #

Beyond basic circuit design, Breadpad includes powerful features for enhanced productivity, accessibility, and professional workflows.

Game Controller Support #

Transform your game controller into a precision circuit design tool. Compatible with Xbox, PlayStation, and MFi controllers.

Supported Controllers #

  • Xbox Wireless Controller (Series S/X)
  • Xbox One Controller
  • PlayStation DualShock 4
  • PlayStation DualSense
  • MFi Certified Controllers
  • Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (via Steam)

Control Mapping #

D-Pad Navigation

  • Up/Down: Navigate component rows
  • Left/Right: Navigate component columns
  • Diagonal: Fast grid movement

Face Buttons

  • A/X: Place selected component
  • B/Circle: Cancel/Back
  • Y/Triangle: Open component editor
  • X/Square: Delete component

Triggers & Bumpers

  • Left Trigger: Zoom out
  • Right Trigger: Zoom in
  • Left Bumper: Previous component type
  • Right Bumper: Next component type

Analog Sticks

  • Left Stick: Pan circuit view
  • Right Stick: Fine cursor control
  • L3/R3 Press: Center view/Reset zoom

Special Functions

  • Menu/Options: Open oscilloscope
  • Share/Create: Quick screenshot
  • Home/PS: Return to documents

Usage Scenarios #

Accessibility

  • Alternative to touch/mouse
  • Reduced hand strain
  • Precise control
  • Comfortable extended use

Presentation Mode

  • Control from distance
  • Smooth navigation
  • No blocking screen
  • Professional demos

Couch Design

  • Relaxed circuit building
  • TV display support
  • Wireless freedom
  • Casual experimentation

Annotation & Drawing (iPad) #

Use Apple Pencil to annotate circuits with PencilKit integration.

Drawing Tools #

Pen Types

  • Marker: Highlight important areas
  • Pen: Precise annotations
  • Pencil: Sketching and notes
  • Highlighter: Transparent overlays

Colors

  • Full color palette
  • Preset color chips
  • Custom colors
  • Opacity control

Tools

  • Eraser: Remove annotations
  • Lasso: Select and move
  • Ruler: Straight lines
  • Text: Add typed labels

Annotation Workflows #

Design Review

  1. Screenshot circuit
  2. Draw corrections
  3. Add comments
  4. Share with team

Educational Notes

  1. Explain circuit operation
  2. Mark current flow
  3. Label key voltages
  4. Save for study

Debugging

  1. Mark problem areas
  2. Note measurements
  3. Plan modifications
  4. Track solutions

Export Options #

  • Save with annotations
  • Separate annotation layer
  • Flatten to image
  • PDF with vectors

Haptic Feedback #

Feel your circuits with precise haptic responses (iPhone & supported iPads).

Feedback Types #

Component Placement

  • Success: Light tap - component placed
  • Error: Sharp buzz - invalid location
  • Snap: Soft click - grid alignment

Wire Connections

  • Connect: Medium tap - successful connection
  • Disconnect: Light pop - wire removed
  • Invalid: Error buzz - can’t connect

UI Interactions

  • Button Press: Subtle tap
  • Toggle Switch: Soft click
  • Slider: Continuous texture
  • Menu Open: Light impact

Customization #

  • Adjust intensity in Settings
  • Disable specific feedback
  • Create custom patterns
  • Accessibility options

Undo/Redo System #

Comprehensive undo system tracks all actions.

Supported Actions #

  • Component placement/deletion
  • Parameter changes
  • Wire connections
  • Probe additions
  • View changes
  • Analysis settings

Features #

  • Unlimited Undo: Full session history
  • Undo Groups: Related changes grouped
  • Redo Available: Until new action
  • Visual Preview: See what will change
  • Persistent: Survives app switches

Shortcuts #

  • iOS/iPadOS: Shake to undo
  • macOS: ⌘Z/⌘⇧Z
  • Game Controller: LB+RB
  • Three-finger swipe: iPad gesture

Material Backgrounds #

Customizable circuit backgrounds for clarity and style.

Available Materials #

  • Grid Paper: Classic engineering
  • Dot Grid: Minimal reference
  • Plain: Clean slate
  • Dark Grid: Reduced eye strain
  • Blueprint: Technical drawing style
  • Custom: Import your own

Grid Options #

  • Spacing: 0.1" standard or metric
  • Subdivisions: Major/minor lines
  • Color: Customizable grid color
  • Opacity: Fade for subtlety

Octopart Integration #

Find real components for your designs (Premium).

Features #

  • Part Search: Find by parameters
  • Datasheets: Direct access
  • Pricing: Current market prices
  • Availability: Stock levels
  • Alternatives: Similar parts
  • BOM Integration: Auto-populate

Workflow #

  1. Design circuit
  2. Right-click component
  3. “Find Real Part”
  4. Filter by specs
  5. Save part number
  6. Export complete BOM

Magnification Indicator #

Always know your zoom level.

Display Options #

  • Percentage: 25% - 400%
  • Ratio: 1:4 - 4:1
  • Grid Count: Holes visible
  • Auto-hide: After 2 seconds

Quick Actions #

  • Tap to reset to 100%
  • Long press for presets
  • Drag to zoom smoothly
  • Double-tap auto-fit

Tips System (iOS 17+) #

Built-in learning with TipKit.

Tip Categories #

Getting Started

  • First component placement
  • Making connections
  • Running analysis
  • Reading results

Advanced Techniques

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Hidden gestures
  • Pro workflows
  • Time savers

Feature Discovery

  • New capabilities
  • Premium features
  • Platform specific
  • Updates

Tip Management #

  • Dismiss individually
  • Reset all tips
  • Disable categories
  • Prerequisite system

Performance Features #

Simulation Optimization #

  • Multi-threaded: Uses all CPU cores
  • GPU Acceleration: Metal rendering
  • Incremental Updates: Only recalculate changes
  • Cache System: Reuse previous results

Large Circuit Support #

  • Level of Detail: Simplify when zoomed out
  • Virtualization: Only render visible
  • Lazy Loading: Load as needed
  • Memory Management: Automatic optimization

Accessibility #

Full support for Apple’s accessibility features.

VoiceOver #

  • Complete screen reader support
  • Component descriptions
  • Value announcements
  • Gesture tutorials

Visual Accommodations #

  • Dynamic Type: Adjustable text
  • High Contrast: Enhanced visibility
  • Reduce Motion: Simplified animations
  • Color Filters: Colorblind modes

Motor Accommodations #

  • Switch Control: Full navigation
  • Voice Control: Spoken commands
  • Dwell Control: Hover actions
  • AssistiveTouch: Custom gestures

Keyboard Navigation #

  • Tab through components
  • Arrow key movement
  • Shortcuts for all actions
  • No mouse required

Professional Workflows #

Multi-Window (Mac/iPad) #

  • Compare circuits side-by-side
  • Reference while building
  • Copy between documents
  • Synchronized views

Automation Features #

  • Siri Shortcuts (coming soon)
  • Scriptable actions
  • Batch operations
  • Template system

Integration Options #

  • Git-friendly file format
  • CI/CD compatibility
  • Documentation generation
  • API access (planned)

See Also #