Eagle software

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-18 21:15

hello everyone,

Not that I've completely out grown ExpressPCB, but I do want to go to the next level, SMT. I had to make my own components in ExpressPCB and that made me want to step up to the next level of software. I've tried different packages and none seem to compare to ExpressPCB UI, but I'm trying to stick with Eagle but I can't seem to get the second, third, fourth...etc. component on the PCB screen. It will not release from the cross hair and gives an error of not allowed in this version of Eagle Lite. I'm running Vista OS and my help file is not available...and yes I tried the fix from MS about 8 times and as far as I can tell the patch is installed correctly and it still does not work. So I'm going with Eagle without the help file...

Anyway, I just want to get started with placing components and I can't seem to do that........What am I doing wrong??????

Thanks for any help from anyone who can...

hmlittle59

StarMan · 2008-04-18 21:45

The Lite version only allows a maximum size board.· When you begin your layout after creating the schematic, the boundary of the allowable board size (approximately 3"x 4") is shown.· If you try to place any components outside of the bound area, you will get the message you were getting.· The strange thing about this is that the program will place your components outside the boundary but you can only move them to a position inside.

James Long · 2008-04-18 21:59

Also,

when you are done with something.....you will need to hit "Stop" or the action will happen again...and again when you click.

I decided to go a different route.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-19 02:57

Hello Again,

Thanks for the reply, I will make another attempt at it. Jame Long, you mention that you went in another direction, do you mean, different software? Thanks again.

hmlittle59

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-19 03:19

Hello again,

Me again, why is there a CROSS hair at the bottom left screen????

hmlittle59

James Long · 2008-04-19 04:54

hmlittle59 said...
Hello Again,

Thanks for the reply, I will make another attempt at it. Jame Long, you mention that you went in another direction, do you mean, different software? Thanks again.

hmlittle59

HM,

Yes.....I chose different software. I used Eagle for about 2 years....it was time very well spent. When I decided to go with full blown software for my company......I knew what I needed, and what features I wanted.

Eagle is a powerful program, but the interface is a little awkward to use.

I chose Diptrace. It was definitely worth what I paid.(I have a full commercial version)

It's auto-router is not as good as Eagle's.....so be prepared to do it all by hand.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

James Long · 2008-04-19 04:58

hmlittle59 said...
Hello again,

Me again, why is there a CROSS hair at the bottom left screen????

hmlittle59

The cross-hair is the origin. Any CAD package provides an origin for everything to be based from. Most origins are at 0,0.

You may think it is strange for a schematic to have an origin, but it is not unusual with professional software.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

william chan · 2008-04-19 05:26

A thing about eagle,

1. After I had made changes to a library part, those changes will not be updated to my schematic or board file.
I have to physically delete the part from schematic and then add it back from the library. This is a hassle.

2. If I have a Schematic and Board file from a colleague that has a custom part, I can't save that custom part into my library for future use.

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www.fd.com.my
www.mercedes.com.my

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-19 05:26

Thanks James L

I just downloaded Dip trace and will give it a try. I hope the UI is better then Eagle's, I did manage to get some more components on the screen and 1 trace, but you can't right click or click and high light. I'll try Diptrace.

I'll be in touch...thanks

hmlittle59

James Long · 2008-04-19 05:41

hmlittle59 said...
Thanks James L

I just downloaded Dip trace and will give it a try. I hope the UI is better then Eagle's, I did manage to get some more components on the screen and 1 trace, but you can't right click or click and high light. I'll try Diptrace.

I'll be in touch...thanks

hmlittle59

I recommend version 1.4 for now....1.5 is new.....and all the bugs are not worked out yet.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-19 05:55

Hello James L,

I've been using it for almost 10 mins. and so far its great. I put in my board size and a template was put on the screen then I started placing parts from the selection on the left. I love software that you can use without having to read every page of the instructions just to get started. This almost seems like a combination of ExpressPCB UI with Eagle attached.

My board is only 4 x 3 with BS2, DS1302 , resistors and a relay so this should be easy to copy from my ExpressPCB print out.

thanks again...I'll keep you up to date...

hmlittle59

Timothy D. Swieter · 2008-04-19 06:09

William Chan -

If you have placed a part in a schematic or board file and then change the library, you need to "Update" the library. Click on "Library" at the top of the screen, and then on "Update...". You can then select the library you want to update and the footprints and symbols should be updated.

I use Eagle myself. I enjoy it. I have tested many pieces of software, but in the end Eagle was the right price to get started for me. I need to be able to use the software for commercial purposes. Eagle may seem quirky, but you need to remember the software is compatiable across windows, mac, and linux. In order to be compatiable it has to limit what "windows" like personalities it takes on.

Glad to you see continue learning hmlittle59 and trying different packages.

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Timothy D. Swieter

www.brilldea.com·- check out the uOLED-IOC, an I/O expansion for the uOLED-96-PROP
www.tdswieter.com

One little spark of imagination is all it takes for an idea to explode

James Long · 2008-04-19 16:22

hmlittle59 said...
Hello James L,

I've been using it for almost 10 mins. and so far its great. I put in my board size and a template was put on the screen then I started placing parts from the selection on the left. I love software that you can use without having to read every page of the instructions just to get started. This almost seems like a combination of ExpressPCB UI with Eagle attached.

My board is only 4 x 3 with BS2, DS1302 , resistors and a relay so this should be easy to copy from my ExpressPCB print out.

thanks again...I'll keep you up to date...

hmlittle59

It should be noted that version 1.5 libraries have some parts that are wrong.· You can join the newgroups for Diptrace, and read for yourself.

I bought version 1.4, and have not upgraded yet. I want the makers to get most of the bugs out before I update. It can be expensive to make a board with wrong part footprints.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

Mike_GTN · 2008-04-19 16:55

Hi James L,

You reminded me once again about Diptrace, I'd last looked around eight months ago at this software. Noted on the foot prints, and your advice to join the Newsgroup. That is very good advice. I'd used Eagle for over 3 years and got used to the quirks and bumps in the road. So as not to confuse anyone I was using the Freeware package (simply as my designs never went over
half Eurocard size back then)

Whilst starting to get to grips with Diptrace, a little surprised how few libraries have been created, either that or not looking in the right place for some DIN41462 Eurocard connectors. Certainly have seen no Propeller chip!! I know aways best to create for yourself. Not tried installing a PDF writer as a dummy printer as yet either.

The results seem positive thus far however.

Regards

Mike.

James Long · 2008-04-19 17:09

Mike_GTN said...
Hi James L,

You reminded me once again about Diptrace, I'd last looked around eight months ago at this software. Noted on the foot prints, and your advice to join the Newsgroup. That is very good advice. I'd used Eagle for over 3 years and got used to the quirks and bumps in the road. So as not to confuse anyone I was using the Freeware package (simply as my designs never went over
half Eurocard size back then)

Whilst starting to get to grips with Diptrace, a little surprised how few libraries have been created, either that or not looking in the right place for some DIN41462 Eurocard connectors. Certainly have seen no Propeller chip!! I know aways best to create for yourself. Not tried installing a PDF writer as a dummy printer as yet either.

The results seem positive thus far however.

Regards

Mike.

Yes.....that is one problem with the Diptrace community.....people do not share their libraries like the Eagle community.

I do have the propeller footprint in a library. I find Diptrace is 10x faster when drawing parts.

I did the same......I used Eagle for 2 years then swapped. It wasn't fun swapping software at that point, but I felt Diptrace better suited my needs.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-19 19:13

Hello James L,

I did a printout and the via's showed up dark and the body of the components are very light, why is this so and can I get it to printout like ExpressPCB(Actual board and component size) and a large viewable size??? I'll chk the version, I just got off work and have to fix a pc and take it out.

hmlittle59

James Long · 2008-04-19 19:19

hmlittle59 said...
Hello James L,

I did a printout and the via's showed up dark and the body of the components are very light, why is this so and can I get it to printout like ExpressPCB(Actual board and component size) and a large viewable size??? I'll chk the version, I just got off work and have to fix a pc and take it out.

hmlittle59

HM,

If you are using the new version 1.5......I can't help you much. There are quite a few changes, and I'm worried I may steer you wrong.

I think 1.5 is the version on the download page.......so it's doubtful you have 1.4

Wish I could help more,

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-19 19:33

hello again James L,

I did download 1.5 version, should I convert back or is there a fix for the Library, as before my board only has a few parts, although I haven't quite figured out all the values that I see in their Library yet.

let me know....

hmlittle59

James Long · 2008-04-19 20:27

hmlittle59 said...
hello again James L,

I did download 1.5 version, should I convert back or is there a fix for the Library, as before my board only has a few parts, although I haven't quite figured out all the values that I see in their Library yet.

let me know....

hmlittle59

Hm,

I'm downloading the new version right now....but it will take some time....(dialup)......

I don't think 1.4 is available for download any where.

Most of the errors were QFN's and such. It would be wise to join the newsgroups, and view the messages about the errors. It will prevent possible problems. The newsgroup is a pretty active place for Diptrace.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-19 21:01

Just got back from Fry's...with a new Power Sup. for other computer...so far its running up...any way, it's still on there home page(1.4).. I will be joining their forum

hmlittle59

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-20 16:19

Hello Again,

I think this is what I was looking for in a CAD program. But I do have a couple of things I can't figure out or comments about.

1) Printouts...are they just Black and White or colors selected?...this may be why my printouts look light, my printer only has Black ink.

2) I can not find the Mounting hole selection(via's)...I must be just over looking it

3) Power connector (2.1 mm) same as BOE boards. I can't find that also.

4) On my board I did a custom component, (combination of 2 parts), will the be easy make in DipTrace?

thanks for all your help

hmlittle59

James Long · 2008-04-20 20:33

hmlittle59 said...
Hello Again,

I think this is what I was looking for in a CAD program. But I do have a couple of things I can't figure out or comments about.

1) Printouts...are they just Black and White or colors selected?...this may be why my printouts look light, my printer only has Black ink.

2) I can not find the Mounting hole selection(via's)...I must be just over looking it

3) Power connector (2.1 mm) same as BOE boards. I can't find that also.

4) On my board I did a custom component, (combination of 2 parts), will the be easy make in DipTrace?

thanks for all your help

hmlittle59

1 Printouts.....they will usually be whatever your settings are for the editor. If you only have black ink......then that maybe a problem. Mine prints out in nice vivid colors.

2 The mounting holes are under "objects" at the top. After placing the hole, just click the item, then right click to size accordingly. Via's on the other hand are not mounting holes. Via's are electrical pass throughs for traces. They can be done dynamically while laying down traces, just right click while laying a trace, and click on switch trace layer (line layer/net layer). Then chose the layer you want to switch to.

3. The part may not be in the library........I can't say one way or another, we would need to know the part number or a reference number.

4. I find most parts are extremely easy to draw in Diptrace. Your mileage may vary.

I hope this helps,· I did install version 1.5 and most everything appears about the same. There are some added items....but mostly similar.

James L

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James L

Partner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)

Post Edited (James Long) : 4/20/2008 8:39:04 PM GMT

hmlittle59 · 2008-04-21 01:39

thanks for the reply,

I tried them and they all worked. I don't think my skills will take me pass this free version any time soon, but when it does I will purchase..

thanks again

hmlittle59

Eagle software

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