need some advice on diy pcb

mrwireless · 6th May 2009, 04:04 AM

Am attempting to make some simple DIY PCBs from schematics but having trouble getting anywhere with the various freewares (ExpressPCB, EAGLE). I see these are the recommended freewares in previous posts.

However the problem is finding the components i intend to get from RS, farnell etc in the libraries (e.g. a Vishay 36MB140A bridge rec from RS, package type D-34A, but not to be seen in the rectifiers library in Eagle, or GBPC-A, only GBPC1). It seems to be a nightmare to get on with the task of creating a schematic in these programs, i must be doing something wrong!

Can anyone offer any advice? Is there a more basic software for someone who's not done this? Want to get something that can be printed and etched, nothing fancy.

Appreciate any help,
ritch

theAnonymous1 · 6th May 2009, 07:44 AM

Give pad2pad a try. It's about as basic as you can get without breaking out a sharpie and drawing by hand. Recommended for the "special needs" type of DIYer.

jethdub · 6th May 2009, 08:17 PM

I find expressPCB about the easiest program to use. I think you'll find most programs will have a limited library of components of certain brands or standards.
In expressPCB select a similar component to the one you want to place. Then go to component menu and "ungroup" the component, you can then move pads, re-draw yellow lines for silkscreen, edit text (use the change layer buttons at the top to edit different layers of the component) and anything else to create a representation of the component you will use.
Once edited you can then re-group the component and "save custom component". After saving the component it will appear at the top of the drop down menu (top right in component tool mode) under custom components.
I have saved resistors with non strandard lead to hole lengths and other odd components which don't match those in the library.
Good luck.

mrwireless · 6th May 2009, 08:27 PM

thanks, having more luck with that one (still having to draw my own components though, perhaps that's normal). Might give EAGLE another go.

rozon · 7th May 2009, 11:36 AM

Usually you create your own libraries. When you have the common discrete in, it takes less time than searching for the right one...

6th May 2009, 04:04 AM	#1
mrwireless diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2009	need some advice on diy pcb Am attempting to make some simple DIY PCBs from schematics but having trouble getting anywhere with the various freewares (ExpressPCB, EAGLE). I see these are the recommended freewares in previous posts. However the problem is finding the components i intend to get from RS, farnell etc in the libraries (e.g. a Vishay 36MB140A bridge rec from RS, package type D-34A, but not to be seen in the rectifiers library in Eagle, or GBPC-A, only GBPC1). It seems to be a nightmare to get on with the task of creating a schematic in these programs, i must be doing something wrong! Can anyone offer any advice? Is there a more basic software for someone who's not done this? Want to get something that can be printed and etched, nothing fancy. Appreciate any help, ritch

6th May 2009, 07:44 AM	#2
theAnonymous1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Anonymityville	Give pad2pad a try. It's about as basic as you can get without breaking out a sharpie and drawing by hand. Recommended for the "special needs" type of DIYer. __________________ "If you don't like funerals don't kick sand in Ninja's face." - Ninja

7th May 2009, 11:36 AM	#5
rozon diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	Libs Usually you create your own libraries. When you have the common discrete in, it takes less time than searching for the right one... __________________ Rozon

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6th May 2009, 08:17 PM	#3
jethdub diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mexico, at present.	I find expressPCB about the easiest program to use. I think you'll find most programs will have a limited library of components of certain brands or standards. In expressPCB select a similar component to the one you want to place. Then go to component menu and "ungroup" the component, you can then move pads, re-draw yellow lines for silkscreen, edit text (use the change layer buttons at the top to edit different layers of the component) and anything else to create a representation of the component you will use. Once edited you can then re-group the component and "save custom component". After saving the component it will appear at the top of the drop down menu (top right in component tool mode) under custom components. I have saved resistors with non strandard lead to hole lengths and other odd components which don't match those in the library. Good luck.

6th May 2009, 08:27 PM	#4
mrwireless diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2009	thanks, having more luck with that one (still having to draw my own components though, perhaps that's normal). Might give EAGLE another go.

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