Schematic + Layout Software

[Clutz]

Hey all,

Anyone know of any schematic software for OS X? How do I go about getting the chip diagrams for specific chips? Is there also good layout software available for the OS X?

Thanks,
Clutz

 

[DaKi][er]

Eagle is probably the most popular around here and comes in OS X flavour as well as Linux and Windows binaries
http://www.cadsoft.de/

For the components that don't come with it, it is very easy to make your own up

 

[Clutz]

Thanks DaKiller,

I'm having some difficulty getting it to work. When I draw the schematics and then try to get it to go into board drawing mode, it isn't actually making the connections I think it is. Even if I try something as simple as connecting two resistors in parallel, it all goes to hell.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Pars]

Are the components actually connected in the schematic? Take the move tool in the schematic and grab one of them and drag it. If the wires (nets) go with it then they are, and I don't know why the connections (airwires) don't show up in the board layout. Airwires will be yellow colored lines between components. You then use the Net tool to actually draw the traces.

Also, the schematic editor is really touchy about the grid layout... leave the grid at the default (0.1" IIRC), otherwise what looks like it is connected isn't really connected. Does the schematic pass the ERC checks? There are some tutorials online and .pdf tutorials also. Eagle is somewhat lacking in anything other than basic documentation.

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pars leave the grid at the default (0.1" IIRC)

...or at some even multiple. I often use 0.05 or 0.025.

 

[Clutz]

Thanks Pars and Tangent. I was using the net tool, but it wasn't connecting things together necessarily, and I thought it was. I've laid out a Cmoy in it now, so I'm feeling more confident with it.

I've got a question about the library though, regarding radial resistors - which package format do I use for standard 1/4 or 1/8th watt vishay dales? How do I make a ground connection / power connection? Is that what the BUS tool is for?

I also haven't figured out how to do the 3-D rendering yet - or is that a feature only of the non-freeware versions?

Thanks

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutz I was using the net tool

That's correct.

Quote:

it wasn't connecting things together necessarily, and I thought it was.

That can happen if your parts are off the grid slightly. You can Ctrl-click them with the move tool to force them onto the current grid.

It can also happen if you try various dodgy things like making a net and then trying to place the part onto the net and expecting it to connect it. That sometimes works, but it's always better to run a net directly from one part to another, than to try to move parts onto a net.

Quote:

which package format do I use for standard 1/4 or 1/8th watt vishay dales?

Just look at the "grid" value in the library. That tells you how far apart the holes are. RN55s can use anything down to 0.3", and RN60s as small as 0.4". If you have the space, it's nice to use 0.1" longer parts in each case.

Quote:

How do I make a ground connection / power connection?

The same as any other net.

Quote:

Is that what the BUS tool is for?

No, that's for multi-pin device busses, as typically found in digital systems.

Quote:

I also haven't figured out how to do the 3-D rendering yet

That's not a feature of EAGLE proper. Those are done with a third party app called Eagle3D. Google for it. You will also need a copy of the free POVRay ray tracer.