Breadboard layout software

[nosamiam]

Does anyone know of any cheap/free software that uses drag&drop to do breadboard layouts? I am wanting to do some more complex breadboarding and if I just try to do it on the fly it gets too complex. I think it would help if I could plan it out ahead of time. It doesn't really need to "do" anything, ie. run simulations. I just need something where I can lay all the parts out. Anyone seen anything like that?

[Kevin Mitchell]

Press the back button and click on the first thread in Building your own stompbox called DIY Layout Creator.

Next time do a little digging.

[nosamiam]

I've used DIYLC. Didn't realize it had breadboard capabilities and it didn't come up when I searched. Thanks for the tip.

[davent]

I didn't know that either, occasional user for years but never stumbled across the breadboarding function.

Haven't used this but does look interesting.
http://free-software-programs.info/virtualbreadboard-vbb-5-07-freeware/#
dave

[karbomusic]

Fritzlig does it to but can't say I particularly like the app. It's more geared towards Ardunino/Rasberry etc.

http://fritzing.org/home/

[hymenoptera]

I've used DIYLC. Didn't realize it had breadboard capabilities and it didn't come up when I searched. Thanks for the tip.

It's under the "Boards" tab, second template.

I've never used it until just now, and it seems that you cannot resize or edit it in any way. It's stuck at 30 rows. Would be nice if you could resize it to whatever size BB you're using.

I supposed one could draw out their own custom template using shapes, etc., and then save it as a custom template for later use.

Maybe if we post about the need to resize the BB it might be considered by the developer for a future update.

[nosamiam]

Thanks guys. I had a few minutes and poked around Virtual Breadboard. It looks like it's geared toward Arduino/Raspberry Pi stuff too. I'll mess with it some more. There's always a learning curve to climb before you can finally decide some software doesn't do what you want it to. So we'll see.

Also tried DIYLC for a minute and saw that, yes, there's no way to resize the breadboard and it's pretty small. It would work for a Fuzz Face, but right now I'm trying to lay out what's basically a Magnus Modulus. If it'll let me do multiple breadboards in the same project I can work with that pretty well and just break the "modules" out on a couple different boards (which is what I'll probably do IRL anyway). I'm at work right now so I can't try that out.

[nosamiam]

Ok, looks like I can have multiple breadboards on the same project. That's no big deal for this circuit. I'll just put the buffer and LFO on one board and the PT2399 on another.

[garcho]

OT but I've been happily doing it by pencil and graph paper for years. I make PCBs on Eagle and love it. I've used DIYLC for etched boards for years and it's great (thanks Bancika!). But nothing is better than drawing out the breadboard layout by hand first.

[deadastronaut]

you can make a large breadboard using DIYLC... ....we are DIY'ers after all..




and the DIYLC file:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7464107/LARGEBREADBOARD.diy


64 holes across... 60 for the rails

if you save it as a ''template'' your good to go each time...


just put the file into your ''templates''  folder...when you restart DIYLC you can choose it..sorted.


: this was done using the vero/stripboard option, but just changed the colours... enjoy.

[armdnrdy]

Question...

Does DIYLC produce a component layout from a schematic? or does one have to place the parts manually?

If manually...you still have to work from a schematic so...there is still room for human error.
I guess you can visually check the layout to catch mistakes before you actually place components but..
the whole breadboard layout seems to be an unnecessary step.
I usually just breadboard circuits from a schematic and document any changes that I may make.

Am I doing this the "old fashion" way? 

[duck_arse]

I can't imagine drawing all those dots on the paper I'd need to represent the BB.

[karbomusic]

Question...

Does DIYLC produce a component layout from a schematic? or does one have to place the parts manually?

If manually...you still have to work from a schematic so...there is still room for human error.

It's manual. That's was one of the reasons I moved to PCBs and Eagle. Meaning, with DIYLC (as much as I love it), there is no connection between schematic and layout so you have to quadruple check everything. Can't say that is bad training at first, but at some point human error causing debugging that really shouldn't be part of the equation these days.

[deadastronaut]

yep, i go direct from schematic to breadboard as always too.....

i guess the OP wants a library of breaded gear...not sure..

was just an option...where theres a will etc...


i'm an eagle convert now too.. but i still use diylc for small stuff. and the odd one off.

[garcho]

I can't imagine drawing all those dots on the paper I'd need to represent the BB.

graph paper and lines, no dots

[deadastronaut]

old school..

[Kevin Mitchell]

Is preplanning a breadboard layout that crucial? I usually assign part orientation before hand with practicality and the rest is really in the air - but always considered as I move along. Due to lead lengths and part sizes something I breadboard (the bigger the project) would not be laid out as planned through drawing. Especially because I tinker allot...

Although why not just draw up a circuit board if you're investing time on a layout.
I totally understand killing some time though 

[duck_arse]

.... I see dots there, garcho ......

[hymenoptera]

When I was seeing dots my doctor told me I needed more vitamin A.

[garcho]

Is preplanning a breadboard layout that crucial?

I can't efficiently breadboard a flanger or a complicated filter or complicated CMOS scheme without doing that. Troubleshooting time goes waaaaaay down if i draw it out ahead of time. Jumper wires and crammed spaces happen less often. Less unshielded breadboard noise. More logical layout. You can see 20 breadboard steps ahead in your mind or what? Also, once I draw the lay out it takes next to no time to populate the breadboard and start tinkering. Things work immediately and I get to tinkering instead of troubleshooting. It makes for a good reference, too. It also saves you time if you decide to revisit. Besides, it doesn't take long to draw, 5-15 minutes tops. Are you a surgeon or a CEO or something? You don't have 15 minutes to prevent mistakes? Or you never make those?    It's certainly not "killing time", it's preventing rats' nests and ticking and hum and cross-eyed chin scratching.

Due to lead lengths and part sizes something I breadboard (the bigger the project) would not be laid out as planned through drawing.

I don't get it, or that doesn't make any sense. You can't draw the correct size? You can't draw the lead lengths? Why? What exactly would you be drawing then? You're the one drawing it, why wouldn't you use the correct size and lead length? The drawing is to have a proper layout, not to have a pretty picture. Look at what i posted, everything is how it actually gets laid out. It's an MS-20 filter, not exactly a fuzz face. I don't draw out simple breadboarding schemes, I agree that's not needed.

.... I see dots there, garcho ......

I can't imagine drawing all those dots on the paper I'd need to represent the BB.

hmmmm... by dots do you mean lines? not much of a "gotchya"; there are no dots representing the BB. yes there are dots that represent the end of a lead or wire. That can't be what convinces you to not do this, really? Dots?

Oh well, to each his own!