Schem to PCB

[ildar]

Let me start by saying that I don't like pefboard builds. I've tried several easy builds on perf and none have worked. 99% of my PCB builds have worked, and I prefer the neatness of them, even if it's just a perceived neatness. Anyhow, is there any shortcut to making a PCB layout from a schem? Perhaps some software floating around out there?

[The Tone God]

Everyone once and awhile a newbie come along and asks about this type of "short cut". There is software intended to create circuit boards from schematics. Its called an auto router. Before you get excited there is a reason why they are not talked about too much in our DIY land.

Most auto routers are intended for digital circuits. When it comes to analog circuits they really leave alot to be desired. You could let the router make the board then make corrections but you'll end up spending more time changing things then if you routed the board by hand originally.

Do a search for this topic for more information.

Andrew

[nightingale]

RG's PCB design book is really good~
it's on his site.. www.geofex.com
hth,

[Gilles C]

What I like to do, and that's a shortcut, at least for me   is to try to find a way to route the things one part at a time. I even use Eagle's autorouter to help me find ideas if I'm blocked.

Many times, you will be able to put all these blocks of layouts together and get an acceptable pcb.

Sometimes, it also helps not to include a couple of parts that don't seem to fit well in the layout or in the circuit. Just keep them until the rest is done.  It could be a resistor that goes from one block to another one block of the layout. You could even have to use a jumper for that last part, but the rest of the circuit would be looking good.

After a few pcbs, you will notice that you can reuse the same layout for the same kind of circuit. Use them as a library of mini layouts.

An input buffer for example will always look the same, or an output buffer. Or an opamp gain stage. A capacitor or a pot will connect two blocks together. So that is the part that could wait a little bit and use a jumper. See what I mean?

[cd]

What Tone God said - automatic programs are useless for FX.  I would take the time to study existing PCBs and apply those layout techniques to perfboard.  It takes practice, but once you get good at it, it's very easy and for me, usually foolproof.  You have to get a feel for part placement, where you want the ground to go, etc.  Key thing (for me at least) is to double and triple check each part as you put it into the perfboard, since it's extremely difficult to remove/replace later on.  If you work carefully everything should work the first time.

When I work with perfboard, I usually like to have all the grounds on the bottom and the power on top (or all the grounds on one side, and the power on the opposite side of the perfboard.)  With a small circuit, you can usually lay it out like on a schematic.  I bend and place 2-3 components at a time, bend the leads, then solder as I go along (after double and triple checking the proper layout and orientation, of course.)  If the circuit has an opamp, I solder in the socket first and work around that.

Keep trying, once you're good at it perfboard is ten times easier than PCBs for one offs.

[MartyB]

On a similar note, since my electronics background is skimpy, I've wondered if there are good tips, or perhaps a program that will take a schematic to a breadboard layout.  It seems everytime I attempt a layout or perfboard, I can't finish the #$%@ thing in the time I have to give it.  When I come back days or weeks later, its all cold and I might as well be starting over. wah, wah, waah.javascript:emoticon(':)')
javascript:emoticon(':)')

[gtrmac]

A lot of people start out with Eagle:

http://www.cadsoftusa.com/

It takes some practice but you can get the hang of it after a relatively short time. I usually start out with the parts placed as they appear in the schematic and move things around until it looks neat and has the least amount of convoluted routing. You can get caught on the pinouts of transistors, I did at least. My first etched board had the transistor pins wrong and that was frustrating! Triple checking everything is time consuming but worth it.

[mikeb]

I guess this is sort of spammish - I've started to offer a PCB layout service using Protel, here's some blurb from my website:
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If you have a schematic and / or particular layout requirements for a well-known circuit, I can provide you with a compact, elegant yet functional layout that can be used for home PCB manufacture, or perfboard assembly. Costs are nominal for most circuits (US$10), and I'm happy to give free quotes based on perusal of the schematic and consultation with you. However, you must be willing to share the resultant layout with others, either by posting on Aron's Stompbox Forum or by allowing me to host it on the PSS website. This approach is intended to give you a useful layout and at the same time contribute towards the DIY scene, while only involving a token exchange of funds. You are given the layout in Protel and GIF/JPG format; copyright remains with PSS, and I reserve the right to produce updated layouts for public use in the future. These PCBs are limited to single-sided only.
--------------

There are PCB layouts out there for most, if not all, common DIY builds, but if you want a different layout or one that isn't available, don't hesitate to contact me. I hope this semi-commercial post isn't deemed too offensive!

Cheers

Mike

[BILLYL]

Ildar-

First get the RG book.  It will give you some good points and it really worth the money.  Excellent resource.

What I do is basically start from the input side of the shematic and work to the output.  Making sure I have the components identified.  Once I am done I generally let it sit for a day and then go back to it - tracing the PCB to the schematic.  It is at this point that I begin to optimize the layout - moving things about to compact it up.  Once that is done - I retrace it and if possible get a third eye to take a look.

Like it was said most of the basic stuff already exists - check out the various links on this site at a GGG.

Have fun-

BILL LAWRENCE

[bwanasonic]

I like to use ExpressPCB. I use the link-to-schematic option to help idiot-proof  connections.  One of these days I'll figure Eagle out. Seems like too more hassle than it's worth at this point.

Kerry M

[BILLYL]

Kerry-

i use ExpressPC and one day I'll have to learn the schematic link.  For now it works pretty good for me.

BILL