Is "Fritzing" only for Ardweenies?
EGMono
Posts: 31
I have seen a bunch of Arduino sites that make use of software called Fritzing that allows you to drag components and place them in or hook up to a breadboard, then view it by schematic or routed pcb if you wanted to. While it does include the 40 pin Propeller, as well as a few other microcontroller chips, it seems to be geared toward Arduino.
Has anyone tried this software, perhaps created something?
Has anyone tried this software, perhaps created something?
Comments
Fritzing is extensible, and it would be great if there were more Propeller support. My latest download of Fritzing appears to have placeholders for PICAXE examples.
Part of the "problem" may be that Fritizing is set up to auto-wire Arduino shields as a de facto standard. That's a problem for the Propeller because none of the official Parallax products support Arduino-style shields.
-- Gordon
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I'm not sure the software (Fritzing) would handle a Propeller.
It's an open-source project, and it makes sense that the Arduino community extends it with features that they want. The Propeller community is free to do the same thing.
PICAXE now has a version supporting Arduino shields. There's a Propeller board (ASC) that supports shields, but it's not an official Parallax product. If it were in the Parallax shopping cart it might get traction and then the momentum would build for using the Prop with shields. (Incidentally I have nothing to do with this product; just making an observation.)
Being open source doesn't mean people will make the effort to change it, especially if those changes are fundamental and extensive.
-- Gordon
Parallax has already stated that the Gadget Gangster platform is an official reference standard, so it's unlikely that they'll also produce an Arduino clone. I think Martin Hodge's project is already the front runner for somebody looking for one, and I hope that he is successful with it.
>>> Being open source doesn't mean people will make the effort to change it, especially if those changes are fundamental and extensive.
Being open source means that somebody still needs to do the work, and it's not really fair to expect the dev team to simply do it because somebody wants it. If a certain community wants a feature added to a project, then that community should be willing to invest the time & resources to make it happen.
Here's a Gadget Gangster design.
http://propellerpowered.com/?s=fritzing&searchsubmit=
OBC
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?122202-BS2-and-Propeller-now-in-Fritzing&highlight=Fritzing
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How do I find the Propeller?
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?129965-Fritzing-with-the-Propeller-Platform
Should have everything you need..
OBC
Got it! Thanks.
Not sure where you're getting the idea that it's up to the dev team.
Let's review: Having the Propeller on an Arduino form factor allows almost immediate adoption in Fritzing, with very little additional work.
1. Fritzing already auto routes to create Arduino-compatible shields. There is absolutely no extra work to enable it to route a shield for a Propeller, assuming the Propeller is using Arduino-compatible shields.
2. Parallax doesn't have to produce a clone of anything. There's already a Propeller board in an Arduino form factor (it's not a clone), and cleverly engineered to work with Arduino shields, including support for analog input.
3. Many people contribute to open source projects based on the perception of call and need. The more a product appears to be supported and used, the more likely there will be open source contributions.
I know Parallax can't resell everyone's board, but to me Martin's seems a slam dunk way to exploit the large body of work going on for the Arduino, without having to make significant additional effort. Basically it needs a rework of the Arduino art (to make it look like the Prop ASC), and Propeller examples.
People see Fritzing and see it as a statement about the Arduino. The more the Propeller appears to be used by the public, the more it will be used by the public.
I happen to think that despite it's shortcomings, the Arduino form factor will influence A LOT of microcontroller development boards for several years to come. Somehow Microchip thinks it's a big deal, and made their new Arduino-style product happen. I don't doubt you'll see Fritizing parts and examples for their boards. Everyone's jockeying for position.
-- Gordon
My name is Andr