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Complete newcomer to PCB layout - where do I start?
eti:
Complete newcomer to PCB layout - where do I start?
Let me say this - the last time I was shown PCB layout, was a cursory overview at college, back in the 90s. I have never done it myself, and would greatly appreciate any help in "noob form" (not "idiot form" ;D ;D) syntax. If you could point me to a tutorial, that would be superb, since YouTube is an OCEAN of them, and I do not know which is better and which is worse.
Thanks ever so much. :)
Matthew.
MarkF:
I found DipTrace to be the easiest to learn after trying Eagle and KiCad.
The free version is only limited by the number of pins and two layers.
Here is a video on an old version of DipTrace (kind of lame, but all the steps to create a PCB and schematic).
Sorry, I couldn't find a good tutorial.
Note:
You can start doing a PCB layout without a schematic if your circuit is simple enough.
Just place the components you need onto the board.
nctnico:
Maybe take a step back before even comitting to software. Creating a PCB is solving a 3D puzzle. The first thing to do is to get a idea on how a circuit would best fit on a PCB. What are the constraints (position of connectors, buttons, LEDs, etc)? And how would the components fit on the board the best way to minimize the connections? A good exercise is to start with a piece of paper and a schematic for very simple circuit (something with an NE555 or so to blink a LED) and (re)draw the connections in the schematic in a way the wires don't have to cross.
From there try to use a CAD program to turn the same diagram into a board. I strongly recommend to draw a schematic as well because this will allow the PCB software to verify the connections are according to the schematic. Otherwise you are on your own.
eti:
Two very helpful replies, and much wisdom found in them, especially the latter. Thank you so much. 🙂
rstofer:
I use the ExpressPCB.com service to make my boards and I use their software. It has no automation whatsoever and it certainly doesn't do autoroute. Still, I have had great success with the boards I have had them make and I didn't have to spend weeks learning to use software.
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