layouts and PCB's

[jim_inme]

hey all. just a few questions

i was wondering how people develop perfboard layouts from schematics, and how people develop pcb layouts too...

thanks, jim

[John Lyons]

It's basically a matter of arranging the parts so they fit in the most logical and linear pattern on the board.
You can build a PCB or perfboard exactly like the schematic but it does not fit as tight on a board.

There are many ways to lay something out. Software, pen and paper etc etc.
It's all just a big puzzle. The main thing is to keep the input on one side and the output on the other as much as possible to avoid oscillation.
I usually work left to right. In on the left... and down the the line to the right as the schematic usually follows.

John

[Mark Hammer]

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=679

[DimebuGG]

First, I used to sketch the layout using a pencil and then after transfered to PCB Artist program. And later convert the file into PDF once all is done.

[DimebuGG]

And also doing it like Fp-style. 

[davent]

hey all. just a few questions

i was wondering how people develop perfboard layouts from schematics, and how people develop pcb layouts too...

thanks, jim

I used to do the pencil and paper bit on graph paper with a 10 to the inch grid, lots of erasing and time. Now use ExpressPCB to design the boards. You draw the schematic in the schematic half of the program then switch tto the PCB side of the program link the pcb page  to the schematic you've drawn. Add your components to the pcb, now when you click on a pin of any given component it shows all the other pins of the components on the board that must be connected. Now you can move your components around to organize the board and run your traces.
Here's a work in progress.

[jim_inme]

oh cool. Just downloaded and am installing PCBExpress. seems like a really good program from what youve said. thanks guys

[bighead]

[jim_inme]

ahh sorry about that. i really should learn to search around a bit more. mods feel free to delete this thread