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Parallax seeks Eagle expert for ongoing library support! — Parallax Forums

Parallax seeks Eagle expert for ongoing library support!

Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,403
edited 2009-08-28 05:04 in General Discussion
Hey all,

Parallax would like to retain a customer to maintain a complete Eagle library for our products. The primary objective is to provide a complete and professional library of Parallax components initially, with the possibility of making future layouts of our key systems (Propeller and BASIC Stamp circuits, for example). The Parallax Eagle files will be available for download on our web site in a new page we will jointly develop. We aim to provide a much higher level of customer design-in support with this effort. We would also like to open source more of our products beyond the simple provision of the printed schematic you may find in our PDFs, and port some entire designs to a complete Eagle schematic/PCB layout (we use PADS internally).

Some of the tasks associated with this position include (not being an Eagle user or even a PCB designer who knows the right lingo, clarification of what I'm asking for is perfectly acceptable):

Prepare schematic diagram of Parallax chips, sensors, etc.
Labeling all pins consistent with our our datasheets, and identification of our parts consistent with our naming and part number conventions
Designing part layout pads (SMT parts would require soldermaks/stencil layer)
Stamps as regular DIP sockets
Parallax would provide direction on pad sizes and mask relief, solder stencil apertures
Regularly send to Eagle for inclusion in next release

This is not an in-house position, but something we envision a customer doing quite well.

We want this done correctly, as we would be referring customers to the Eagle library and files for their project. In other words, it would carry the Parallax stamp of approval.

Parallax would provide parts support to you for this purpose unless you could obtain the dimensions from the datasheets. Initially payment would be in the form of free product paid out either per hour or per product. Alternative methods are acceptable, such as by check (with IRS 1099, of course). We'd figure this out as part of the process of finding our Eagle partner.

Forum presence and writing skills are essential, as this person would be in the position of making our Eagle library support known on the forums from time to time. I will initially be the contact person for this position. Once we're underway and running I'd be connecting you with somebody in our engineering group for continuing to develop the Eagle support program.

The ideal person for this job isn't into legal agreements, yet would agree to simple business terms and trust to work together.

If you are interested please contact me off-line at kgracey@parallax.com (no PMs, please). Provide your qualifications with Eagle, too, as well as anything else we might find of interest.

We aim to get this underway within a week or two.

Please post any general questions here on the forum, too, as others will likely benefit from the reply.

Sincerely,

Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.

Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 8/4/2009 2:43:51 PM GMT

Comments

  • Brian CarpenterBrian Carpenter Posts: 728
    edited 2009-08-04 19:02
    Ken, I am in

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    It's Only A Stupid Question If You Have Not Googled It First!!
  • PhilldapillPhilldapill Posts: 1,283
    edited 2009-08-05 06:43
    Ah, Brian, you beat me to it. Although, I'm probably not THE expert for the job, I'm glad it seems some products will be more open source. I've often wanted a certain Parallax gadget's specs so that I could make my own EAGLE part for my project.

    'Glad you guys are doing this, Ken!

    EDIT: Oops! I forgot my main point... I'm in as well!

    Post Edited (Philldapill) : 8/6/2009 10:00:36 AM GMT
  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2009-08-06 08:58
    I recommend a team effort. Two or three people working together.

    I recommend creating a list of the footprints needed and then working through the list. Team members can double check each other.

    I recommend creating a folder in EAGLE and within that folder there is a Propeller Library. SX Library. Basic Stamp Library. Sensor Library, etc. This kind of matches the web site layout, plus I dislike opening libraries in EAGLE and having to scroll forever. So, organize all the parts in folders/libraries.

    I recommend using all the descriptions options as possible to include the data such as part numbers. Again, text descriptions should be double checked by team members. If you wanted, I think you can even include web links.

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    Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
    www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT
    www.tdswieter.com
  • Ole Man EarlOle Man Earl Posts: 262
    edited 2009-08-07 03:07
    I like your idea Tim..
    Earl
  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2009-08-08 15:11
    I'm only just starting to learn Eagle, but I wanted to say that I am very happy to hear you'll be doing this as I want to be able to include the stamp's PCB layout as-it-exists into my more "finished" designs, so they can all be SMT boards without any DIP or through-hole components if I can manage it. I've been hoping for this for a while. Thanks!!!!!

    Dave X
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2009-08-08 21:51
    $WMc% also needs a EAGLE expert for some on-line tutorial!

    I did figure out how to start the program. Now What?

    If Ken Gracey needs help with this software, I don't feel as stupid as I did before.

    ____________$WMc%__________

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    The Truth is out there············································ BoogerWoods, FL. USA
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-08-08 22:14
    There are lots of eagle tutorials available if you look on google.

    I wrote a quick one on the prop 18 and under thread.

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    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Want to make projects and have Gadget Gangster sell them for you? propmod-us_ps_sd and propmod-1x1 are now available for use in your Gadget Gangster Projects.

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2009-08-09 00:06
    xanatos - I think the experts creating the Eagle Library aren't creating a layout of the Basic Stamp PCB/design, but rather creating the footprint they plug in to. IN other words, the footprint will be a DIP through hole footprint, not the components on the Basic Stamp itself.

    For tutorial SparkFun has some just excellent getting started tutorials. Read, follow along and reread those tutorials.

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    Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
    www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT
    www.tdswieter.com
  • SeariderSearider Posts: 290
    edited 2009-08-09 22:10
    Any chance of Parallax building and maintaining a library for Diptrace ?

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    Searider
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-08-10 04:49
    If they do, I will try to provide a bit of input. I recently started updating my DipTrace libraries for Stamps and will probably continue for other products depending on how much quicker I can get at it. (The first one took about 2 hours freaked.gif , but the second one only took 30 minutes hop.gif ) I am creating both the schematic and package libraries. It is quite a learning curve, but it goes quicker once you lay out steps for each piece of the process. (mine are scribbled across 3 pieces of paper) I will be documenting the steps and will post that here for other DipTrace users eventually.

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    Andrew Williams
    WBA Consulting
    IT / Web / PCB / Audio
  • Greg LaPollaGreg LaPolla Posts: 324
    edited 2009-08-10 19:24
    Not to stray to far off topic here, but you can export eagle libs to scr format and import them into diptrace.


    Greg
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-08-10 22:08
    Wow, actually just tried and yes, you can export Eagle scripts directly into DipTrace. I just dumped the entire Motorola library from Eagle into DipTrace. Made a bogus circuit in the schematic editor, saved it, ran "convert to PCB" and bam, it's all there.

    Why didn't I think of that?

    Looks like it will just need a bit of TLC (the library imports without a title, for example)

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    Andrew Williams
    WBA Consulting
    IT / Web / PCB / Audio
  • SeariderSearider Posts: 290
    edited 2009-08-11 00:50
    This rocks. thanks for the tips and the test.

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    Searider
  • jknightandkarrjknightandkarr Posts: 234
    edited 2009-08-28 05:04
    Can Pad2Pad use those exported files too? Pad2pad looks like it only supports pcb extensions.

    Joe

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    I'm going insaine. It's SOOOOOO much fun. lol

    Post Edited (jknightandkarr) : 8/28/2009 5:15:12 AM GMT
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