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Projects => Build Reports => Audio/Video Demos => Topic started by: culturejam on May 14, 2012, 01:05:58 PM

Title: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 14, 2012, 01:05:58 PM
This is a rough desktop capture video of me running through the process of making a schematic and then a PCB layout. There is no audio or text annotation. Just some background music and me going through the process. Fast.   ;D

I plan to do a more detailed version in the future with either voice audio or text. But for now, this will give you an idea of how it all works.

Obviously, I didn't spend much time optimizing the layout. I didn't even load any design rules, which is important for fabrication. The idea was to show the whole process from start to finish, and I think the video is fairly representative of that process.

Note: I'm using the Guass-Markov parts library found here: http://gaussmarkov.net/wordpress/tools/software/eagle/eagle-2-libraries/  I've modified the bejesus out of my libraries, but everything I do in the video you can do with the default set.

Note 2: I use the command bar several times to type in commands. So keep your eyes on that (at the top of the screen).

I've posted it on vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/42108891

Or, you can download the uncompressed version from DropBox and watch it non-streaming:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dlzu3nqg61wym2h/tLaZf0HZhb


It's interesting for me to watch it so that I can see how non-linear my thought process is.   :D
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 14, 2012, 01:09:07 PM
And oh yeah: I missed one of the tie points (on the output coupling cap). Didn't notice until I watched the video.
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: jubal81 on May 15, 2012, 02:38:47 PM
This is great. Picked up a ton of tips. What's the hotkey to redraw/update after drawing a trace?
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 02:43:50 PM
Quote from: jubal81 on May 15, 2012, 02:38:47 PM
What's the hotkey to redraw/update after drawing a trace?

Just type "rat" and hit enter.  :)
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: Haberdasher on May 15, 2012, 02:52:19 PM
thanks effdub I'm sure we all appreciate this effort
I need to re-watch at some point as I'm sure I missed a bunch
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: plesur on May 15, 2012, 03:47:53 PM
Nice video.

POLY GND is a sweet little shortcut.

Any reason why you use WIRE instead of NET to connect up your schematic?
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 03:49:22 PM
Quote from: plesur on May 15, 2012, 03:47:53 PM
Any reason why you use WIRE instead of NET to connect up your schematic?

Hmm, never thought about it. I guess that's just how I saw other people do it.
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: gtr2 on May 15, 2012, 04:09:53 PM
I think eagle converts the any placed WIRES to NETS when it's a part to part connection.

Josh
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 04:20:28 PM
Just looked in the Eagle 5 manual. It says not to use WIRE, but to use NETS. But it doesn't say why or what happens if you don't.

I've never had an issue with using WIRE, but I suppose I should start using the right tool. I guess.
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: plesur on May 15, 2012, 04:21:57 PM
Quote from: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 04:20:28 PM
Just looked in the Eagle 5 manual. It says not to use WIRE, but to use NETS. But it doesn't say why or what happens if you don't.

I've never had an issue with using WIRE, but I suppose I should start using the right tool. I guess.

You get free junctions if you do!  ;)
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 04:23:06 PM
I think I found the answer on this forum:
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/electronic-projects-design-ideas-reviews/25569-eagle-cad-connector-problem-cant-hook-up-wires.html

Quotealso be sure to use NET command and not the WIRE command when drawing your schematic ... the netlist (made with nets) tells the autorouter connect A to B ... the wire command just creates signals, and will confuse the heck out of the autorouter (if you dont care about the autorouter, then it doesn't make much difference)
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: gtr2 on May 15, 2012, 04:50:20 PM
Free Junctions are a bonus!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: thetrend77 on May 15, 2012, 07:04:02 PM
Ok, this was my first time I've ever tried my hand at Eagle so I tried something simple (your Dead Easy Dirt project, CJ).

Does this look correct?

(http://i.imgur.com/MU9Ia.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/VHqbt.png)
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 07:08:51 PM
Yes, that looks correct.

I would add the connectors to the junctions (the dots) to make it more by the book. Or you could use the NETS tool instead of WIRE, as discussed above.  :)
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: thetrend77 on May 15, 2012, 07:26:43 PM
Awesome! I had never wanted to try Eagle before since it seemed so complicated, but your video obviously helped a ton lol

Also (a little off-topic), not that I'm going to get THIS one made, but where do you guys get your fabbed boards from? That Dorkbot site?
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 07:34:42 PM
One more thing to check on your layout: the trace running next to pin 1 seems too close. One thing I omitted from the video is setting up Design Rules and then using the DRC (Design Rule Check) to make sure you haven't broken any of those rules.

Also, run ratsnest (type "rat" and hit enter) to fill out the pours. I see you have the 9V pad routed to the IC. If you have the top pour merged with the 9V net, this connection would happen automatically. Same for connections to GND.

So go back and add those connections (dots) and then update the layout with the RAT command see where things stand.


I use Dorkbot for prototyping.
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: thetrend77 on May 15, 2012, 07:44:50 PM
There we go: 

(http://i.imgur.com/uJ9bI.png)
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: culturejam on May 15, 2012, 07:48:50 PM
Now,  you want to rip up the traces from vol 1 running to the diodes and pin 2 of the IC and then run RAT again. And I think pin 4 isn't properly connected on your schematic. If it were, it would have automatically connected to the ground pour on the bottom layer.

You're almost there!
Title: Re: Crash course in Eagle CAD: video demo of schematic to layout
Post by: alanp on May 15, 2012, 10:31:21 PM
Positive leg of C1 is not connected to anything, is it?

And the diodes are in line with the signal chain between IC1 and VOL, not going to ground.