Re: Low cost PCB layout software

From: Bill Knight (billk_at_rosw.com)
Date: 12/30/03 

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 07:42:46 -0600

On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 01:30:44 -0500, Ralph Malph <noone@yahoo.com>
wrote:
<snip>
>I got the file to download correctly by telling the download utility to
>download it in one stream rather than in several. I am not sure how
>multiple streams helps, perhaps improving speed when the source limits
>bandwidth to any one stream.
>
>But now that I have tried to use Eagle, I do not find it an easy to use
>tool. One of the first tasks I have is to make a foot print for a
>TSSOP20 package. I can find various commands to add the SMD pads, but
>it is *extremely* tedious since I have to calculate the X,Y of every pad
>and then go though a process of creating each one and moving it to the
>right location using the mouse. Since the X,Y coordinate shown depends
>on where the pad is picked up using the mouse, I have to use the info
>command to find the current location, make sure I pick it up by that
>location and then move it to the correct location. I tired using typed
>commands for this, but the editor complains saying the move command can
>only be used on "boards".
>
>I can't seem to find a way to pour copper on this part, which it needs
>to create a large pad under the body for heat conduction. I suppose I
>could add an extra pin to the schematic and use the SMD command, but
>that seems like an odd way to do it.
>
>All in all, this seems like yet another program that is very far from
>modern GUI techniques. I have drawn this layout in Visio to make sure
>it will fit on the board and it was much, much easier to do than it is
>in the board layout package.
>
>I have looked at the tutorial and did not find it very enlightening.
>Anyone know of other sources of info on how to use this tool? The
>manuals just don't cut it.

Try working through the tutorial. It isn't that difficult. I'm
definitely no expert but to place pads at regular intervals I set the
grid to the pad spacing and set the ALTernate grid to 1/2 of the
pad spacing interval. Then all that is needed is to select SMD, set
the pad size as needed and click away. The right mouse button rotates
the pads as needed. What I haven't found yet is an easy way to number
the pads as I desire. Presently I go back and selet the RENAME tool
and edit each pad after placing them all.
BTW the grid set button is the one in the upper left corner of the
window which has a rectangular array of dimples.
The current version (4.11) has a nice feature where you can OPEN your
custom library, then from the control panel browse the other
libraries. When you find a DEVice or PACkage that is close to what
you need, it can easily be copied to your open library.
Good luck.
-Bill Knight
R O SOftWare

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