Tricks

General Eagles tricks and things to remember

For now just a bunch of unordered memo but that's things not to be forgotten.

• Add a version number and maybe a date
• Name your board, because it won't be obvious in 6 months
• If it's not absolutely clear now while looking at the pcb, it will not be when you'll receive it in 3 weeks ! Make it clear!
• If it looks thin/small, it's even thiner/smaller than what you think in real. Make it bigger.
  • Text under size 1.0 is very small
• Don't forget holes for screws, it's easier now than later.
• Check carefully the silk, some labels might be missing and you won't easily know in which way plug this condensator or what the hell are those 2 holes made for?!
  • In case of transistor, mention NPN/PNP and which pins are E,B,C in case later you need an equivalent transistor and want to find quickly one matching.
  • If you have a power rail for instance, mark is also on the bottom silk. That will be helpful when you solder.
• Walk on the professional-side : add a ground plane (poly gnd)
• Make provision for extra :
  • If you have a uC, put the ISP programmer. You might not need it now, but the day you will, you will regret it.
  • extra power connector,
  • extra condensator,
  • extra test pad,
  • extra PTC,...

How to place components on a circle

1. Put your n components on the PCB, make sure they have a name with a common prefix followed by a increasing number (LED1, LED2, LED3,...)
2. File -> Run ... -> cmd-draw.ulp
3. Choose Move then fill :
   1. "1st Element" = LED1
   2. X center and Y center and radius
   3. Angle step (= 360 divided by component number)
   4. "Angle step type:"
      1. Choose "degrees step"
      2. Check "Rotate items to match"
   5. "Form" : choose Circle
4. Run!
5. Copy paste the script and change the ROTATE command in case components are not properly aligned with the center

How to create the BOM

In the schematic view:

1. In the text command zone type run bom.ulp
2. You get the popup, you can just export to HTML or CSV

Tricks and issues

Linux: the Alt key works but you can't DROP anymore. Explanation here, but in fact the OS captures the Alt as a "Window resize" command. Disable it in params > Windows > Behavior > Special key to move and resize (Linux Mint 19.2)

Links

PCB company

• Seeedstudio [order placed, very happy customer] http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/fusion-pcb-service-p-835.html?cPath=185
  • Fast (2 weeks between order and PCB reception), good quality product, very cheap if you stick to the 5x5 cm ... just great! Then won a new reccuring happy customer.
• Elecrow same as Seeedstudio but with free color ! http://www.elecrow.com/
• Print your own PCB in [not tried yet, expensive] Japan http://www.p-ban.com/

Tutorials

• Eagle official documentation (PDF) http://www.cadsoft.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/manual-eng.pdf
• Tutorial for authoring Seeedstudio approved diagrams http://www.lucadentella.it/2011/10/22/guida-al-servizio-fusion-pcb-di-seeedstudio/?lang=en
• Basic yet complete Sparkfun tutorial (a must) :
  • Part 1 http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/108
  • Part 2 http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/109
• Advanced : how to add planes of copper for signal and lots of advanced tools for a pro look
  • http://www.instructables.com/id/Turn-your-EAGLE-schematic-into-a-PCB/
• Howto add a logo to your pcb :
  • Yes but makes an infinity of rectangles you can't manipulate easily http://www.instructables.com/id/Adding-Custom-Graphics-to-EAGLE-PCB-Layouts/
  • Yes but makes an enormous .scr file http://dangerousprototypes.com/2009/12/02/import-images-into-cadsoft-eagle/
• How to make your own parts:
  • A bit old but covers all http://myhome.spu.edu/bolding/EE4211/EagleTutorial4.htm
  • A more detailed version http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-custom-library-part-in-Eagle-CAD-too/
• Another interresting one, a collection of best practices http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Get_your_PCBs_made
• Tips and tricks http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Cadsoft_Eagle_tips_and_tricks

• http://www.instructables.com/id/PCB-making-guide/