Converting A Schematic to a Circuit Board

[DocAmplify]

I'm really a beginner here.  I'm starting to be able to follow a schematic, and the large space / logical layout helps me get my head around the circuit.  When I see the PCB for a circuit, I'm blown away by how efficiently the circuit can be applied. 

Are there any tips for a new guy for getting my head around laying out a circuit?  I probably won't get a software for this, so I'm thinking of pencil and paper combined with my breadboard.  When you pick up your sketch book and pencil, where to you begin?

[deadastronaut]

hi doc and welcome,

a good place to start is to download bancika's great software  DIYLC for making vero's, or pcb's.... download version 3 ok...and take a look, you must have java installed to run it ok..

its a great bit of soft!...and very easy to use....

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=44838.1780

[petemoore]

  Draw them repeatedly, this is the way layouts are created, the 'linear/stacked' schematic is redrawn so the 'map' is the same set of connections but the topology can be...anything
!
  Some of my first circuits started with the schematic being pasted on to a board, each node got a 'nail' [poked/epoxied into the bookcover or whatever the board was], then putting the components on...made it really easy to see/follow/construct...just not at all compact.
  Some of my circuits have been built, on, through, or around:
   Dowel rods, bookcovers, perfboards, copperless perfboards, lugs of switches and pots etc., hanging garden style, and prepared PCB's.
  As long as everything is correctly wired, what it is wired on or whether it's hanging gardens doesn't really matter. Solid physical construction is recommended if the circuit is going to be moved around or bumped.

[DocAmplify]

Thanks guys; I'll try that link from home (my office firewall is blocking it right now). 

I noticed a lot of PCB's seem to have a U shaped ground.  Most schematics have the ground icon dropped to the lower portion of the diagram, which if laid out that way on a board , would result in a long skinny board.  It seems that taking the schematic with that lower line of ground and bending it back upon itself to make the U would be a good first step in space management.  That way all of the components can live in the middle of the U and have easy access to ground. 

[R.G.]

I could write a book about this.

In fact I did. Check Small Bear. It talks specifically about schematic to PCB, and as a minor note, why the U-shaped ground.   

[tubegeek]

I could write a book about this.

In fact I did. Check Small Bear. It talks specifically about schematic to PCB, and as a minor note, why the U-shaped ground.   

Do you have a link? I didn't see it on Small Bear, and I make a practice to read all your writing, R.G. Have for a long time

[smallbearelec]

It is in Books and Publications.

Regards
SD

[tubegeek]

Aha, just figured that out. Thanks!

[a soBer Newt]

This might be a bit more on the advanced side of things but well worth watching to pick up on some tips about layouts.