Posting Layouts vs. Schematics

[Jay Doyle]

Before I start let me first say that every contribution is valuable and that this is directed at no one in particular...

I have noticed that most of the time someone announces a new design of theirs, the only thing that they post is the layout file. Now while this is great, for someone like me who doesn't layout on veroboard, if the layout posted is in veroboard, I can't make heads or tails of what the circuit actually IS. And I rarely want to take the time to trace any circuit.

Is there a reason why people post layouts instead of schematics? Schematics would be better in my opinion so that if there are future issues people can look at the schem and figure them out. If I see just a layout, I skip the question because I don't want to spend the time figuring out what the circuit is.

Is there a reason behind this? Has the forum focus moved from creating and designing our own to just building clones or other's projects? Or is this a way people try to hide their circuits (admitedly a poor one)?

Jay Doyle

[dachshund]

I've wondered about this, too. I usually do something wrong wth my vero wiring, so I need the schematic for troubleshooting, in the least. (I also like to readand compare schematics...) 

[markusw]

I totally aggree with what was said 
Schems would be great!

[moosapotamus]

I agree, too... I'd rather see a scheme than a layout. But without fail, every time someone posts a schematic, someone else always seems to chime in and ask for a layout.

~ Charlie

[petemoore]

If I see just a layout, I skip the question because I don't want to spend the time figuring out what the circuit is.
  Often as soon as I see no schematic, I say: just forget all that, get a bit disappointed, and skip all further 'looking at'.
  I get too easily bored/fatigued with the tedium of trying to sort out layouts to some kind of mental picture of what isn't/is going on.
  RG said 'Schematics are for humans, layouts are for machines'.

[The Tone God]

I'm of the reverse trend. I prefer to offer schematics and not bother with layouts. I have been finding that most people tend to customize circuits for their needs be it electrically or physically so with just about any change any layout I offer will become unsuitable thus my work and time has been wasted. Now I figure if there is enough interest in a circuit someone will do a layout.

Andrew

[John Lyons]

Part of this trend is due to the DIY layout creator being so easy to use that a layout can be whipped up and posted in very little time.
And then the sticky situation of posting others schematics. Like Doug's Hwy 89. The layout is posted but you have to email him for the schematic. (weak example I guess) But to the same point...


John

[Chris Brown]

Part of this trend is due to the DIY layout creator being so easy to use that a layout can be whipped up and posted in very little time.
And then the sticky situation of posting others schematics. Like Doug's Hwy 89. The layout is posted but you have to email him for the schematic. (weak example I guess) But to the same point...


John

I think you hit the nail there...

Although I haven't posted any layouts (yet) I have been using diylc to layout what's on my breadboard if it's something that I want to box. I do a schematic on paper right before I move the parts from the breadboard to the perf just in case of error, but maybe most people are skipping the schematic all together.

my $0.02

Kindest regards,
Chris Brown

[slacker]

Personally if I post something I've designed myself I post a schematic and possibly a vero layout.
If I post vero layouts of other peoples stuff or of commercial pedals I include a link to the schematic on the layout.

[Doug_H]

I think the operative phrase in the last post was "I designed".

There's not a whole lot of new designs being posted. However there are at least 3 flavors of layouts being posted- perf, vero, pcb. I believe much of the layout posting is a flavor for an existing design that hasn't been covered yet. I would also guess that some of the commercial clonage does not include schematics, but I could be wrong. It just seems that way.

[slacker]

I think the operative phrase in the last post was "I designed".

Not quite sure what you're getting at, but yeah it was.

[markm]

I'd probably post schems if I had anything overly original to offer!
Most of the time for my layouts I don't bother with the schem only because it's extra steps for me.
I have a few "originals" in the works and could probably schem those out but, not being overly versed in writing schems, they may not match the layout!! 
Most of my "original" stuff right now has been heavily modded circuits or snippets of ideas strewn together from the GEO and AMZ pages! 

[Doug_H]

Not quite sure what you're getting at, but yeah it was.

Meaning

There's not a whole lot of new designs being posted.

, therefore there's not many new schematics being posted.

[TELEFUNKON]

there`s a  popular "building their own clowns" effects company,
that even sells kits of copied commercial pedals
without schematics. 

[slacker]

Sorry, I think I took Doug's

"I designed".

a bit personally, what can I say, it's been a hard day at work.
Unfortunately new designs are a bit thin on the ground. Or when someone does present something new there's usually a few days worth of appreciation and interest and then the thread disappears in the sea of Tube Screamer questions.

[markm]

when someone does present something new there's usually a few days worth of appreciation and interest and then the thread disappears in the sea of Tube Screamer questions.

Quite true.

[MartyMart]

Unfortunately new designs are a bit thin on the ground. Or when someone does present something new there's usually a few days worth of appreciation and interest and then the thread disappears in the sea of Tube Screamer questions.

Yeah, I've suffered that one a few times of late !!
Hence my "sharp" answer yesterday to YET ANOTHER DS-1 gain question 

I like to post a schem, often someone re-draws it, as I like to use a pencil  !!!

MM.

[Meanderthal]

 I think people present an idea or circuit as a layout is because they want people to build it, and it makes it more likely to happen. And, yes, I've seen some good ones dissapear without any build reports. I also like to see the schematic for the previously mentioned reasons. But, layouts are cool too. The best of all is when it's both... great for the newbies, great for tinkerers, great for those who just wanna see what's going on.

[StephenGiles]

Unfortunately new designs are a bit thin on the ground. Or when someone does present something new there's usually a few days worth of appreciation and interest and then the thread disappears in the sea of Tube Screamer questions.

Yeah, I've suffered that one a few times of late !!
Hence my "sharp" answer yesterday to YET ANOTHER DS-1 gain question 

I like to post a schem, often someone re-draws it, as I like to use a pencil  !!!

MM.

I prefer to use a pencil - Bic Matic grip 0.7mm #2, my sister gave me a pack that she bought in France which should last a few years!

I ignore layouts as I only build from a circuit diagram, como siempre (just practising!).

[mattpocket]

I'm pretty new to this, and to be honest, I cant read schematics, I dont know where to start!

So, for me, if this forum was full of schems then I probably wouldnt have bothered making any diy stompboxes. To be honest, I havent even looked at the schematics gallery.

Matt