layout programs?

[eatyourguitar]

yeah I was thinking that but it seems kinda messy.

[McSpunckle]

In eagle, once I have a resitor in place, I'll just copy/paste every time I need another one. Then the same for all the other components.

[D-Rainger]

I use diptrace - and love it. I've tried some other pcb programs before and not got my head round them at all. I haven't yet used it for schematics - or schematic to pcb transferring. I learned diptrace with barely looking at the manual - which is usually a requirement for me!

[culturejam]

In eagle, once I have a resitor in place, I'll just copy/paste every time I need another one. Then the same for all the other components.

On the schematic, this is fine. Just don't try to add components that way on the layout.

Eagle really only works if you make the schematic first and then create the layout from that schematic directly. So when you are finished with the schematic, click on "Switch to Board" to generate the board and have it put the components on the screen. Then arrange them how you want in the layout.

[Steve Mavronis]

I like using ExpressPCB from http://www.expresspcb.com/



It's free and you don't have to use their board making service (I never have yet) if you can etch your own PCB from a 300dpi PDF trace layer printout graphic. But their service is fast and affordable if you're making multiple copies, or several separate layouts on 3 identical 3.8 x 2.5 inch boards that you can cut out later. The program works in multiple layers.

The software also comes with ExpressSCH to make quality circuit schematics that can be linked to the PCB layout for verification of trace paths.



Both are super easy to use and the included component libraries are completely customizable for your own unique parts. You can also open several instances of the program for comparision between saved layouts or schematics.

[StudioShutIn]

I'm a long time photoshop user and I have to disagree. you just dont have a lot of options with the grid and going to open a file everytime you need a part is lame. and you dont have the tools you have in cad programs. I took a college course on the real autodesk autocad. some of the more advanced tools and command lines are almost like programming. illustrator would be better although I'm not an expert on illustrator. I am an expert on photoshop however.

Before I saw everybody mentioning proprietary software designed specifically for circuitboard layouts, I was about to suggest one of these..or InDesign
I use all three at work, but that's for publication layout...totally different topic

[McSpunckle]

In eagle, once I have a resitor in place, I'll just copy/paste every time I need another one. Then the same for all the other components.

On the schematic, this is fine. Just don't try to add components that way on the layout.

Eagle really only works if you make the schematic first and then create the layout from that schematic directly. So when you are finished with the schematic, click on "Switch to Board" to generate the board and have it put the components on the screen. Then arrange them how you want in the layout.

Ah, yeah. The only schematic I've made with Eagle, I didn't even bother using the "right" components... just ones with the right symbols. 'cause I wasn't gonna be making a board anyhow.

[culturejam]

Ah, yeah. The only schematic I've made with Eagle, I didn't even bother using the "right" components... just ones with the right symbols. 'cause I wasn't gonna be making a board anyhow.

You need the parts libraries created by Guass-Markov:
http://gaussmarkov.net/wordpress/tools/ ... eagle-cad/

Some good info there. But the parts libraries he made are awesome because they were done just for DIY effects.

[McSpunckle]

Love you.

[culturejam]

Love you.

If you need any help or have questions, just shoot me a PM.