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something is missing - libraries

Avatar Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid at

I'm thinking outlous here, so bear with me.

The Library is the most important thing when it comes to a PCB program.  The more parts, the easier it is to put a design together.  Mind you, I havn't used it yet.  I did look through the tutorial nd I looked at the components.

I didn;t see a tutorial to buld a component.

Now remember that I was thinking out loud.

I didn;t see dimensions or even a grid.  A real dimension layer should exist for the component.

Search tags/  Not sure what the use might be.  Could be a manufacturer's part number.  '

I didn't see a comment box.

Links to a manufactuerer's website, to mouser/digikey part nubers. Possibly an internet connected only option.

A more critical option.  Your library should never change.  I should be abke to create a part in the supplied library even with the same or similar name indicated by color. Maybe marked user created, used in user design.

Possibly serialize the library.  Meaning when a component is used it's given a serial number each time it's used in a "completed" design.  It could be an option like "serialize components and export"

Export, guarantees that unchaned components exist in a design file. 

The idea is a serial number be assigned to a component.  One serial number would be spacial and indicate that it's a user's component.  Once serialized, that componnet would not be able to be changed.

I didn't see anything about importing DXF for board outlines, but the forum says it's possible.

Copper pour?

Just ideas, nothing more.  I think I like what I see.

These are only ideas.

Replies

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    Posted by adsala at

    I agree, libraries are the most important. I have looked at importing Eagle libraries to find out that you have to own Eagle to export them correctly for DesignSpark.  So what's the point if you already have Eagle.  Well, a licensed version anyway. 

    I needed a 5 and 3 pin TO-263 pad footprint so I went ahead and designed them myself in the PCB editor of DS.  Although it was combersum and trying to get the locations right was difficult, I managed.  I also then made a foot print for a surface mount USB connector.  DesignSpark is just like Advanced Circuits PCB Artist.  Since I was using that first, DesignSpark came easy.  But even PCB Artist has more extensive libraries but they are incompatible with DesignSpark.  I could not move them over and use them even though they had the same file extensions.  PCB Artist unfortunately is proprietory only for Advanced Circuits.  You can only pump out files for them to produce boards.  So I switched to DesignSpark so I would not be locked in to one Board Fab house.  Advance circuit's quotes always seem to come out higher then other board houses.

    If you are an LTSpice user, I recommend not wasting time making the schematics within designspark and outputting them to simulate.  I have about 3 hours into it, and still can not product an error free file with just 3 spice resistors in series and a spice power module.  Use the LtSpice program directly.  The pain is that you have to redraw your circuits in DesignSpark.  But hey, why complain, all this is free.

    All in all, I may just purchase a copy of Eagle just because every one of my parts exists in their libraries.  And its more mainstream.  Since my company is now making money, we can afford it.  DesignSpark is definately a great starter PCB maker though.  I am not a complete expert, but I have designed a few 2 sided surface mount boards now and they are in production and selling on our products. 

    Regardless, keep up the good work.  You guys are doing a great service for us.

     

  • Avatar

    Posted by MikeBK at

    Thank you for your valuable comments. We are constantly working on improvements to DSPCB and version 4 is on the way to be released in the coming months. Most of the users find it straight forward to create PCB symbols and can be done in minutes.

    With regards to libraries please keep checkign our site, we are working on massive improvements to libraries and availability of free of charge DSPCB components.

    Finally thank you for the kind words, this gives us further motivation to make the tool better for the whole community of users

  • Avatar

    Posted by MikeBK at

    Hi KeepItSimple,

    Apart of the comments on the libraries, all other functions you have mentioned are actually available in the DSPCB v3

  • Avatar

    Posted by adsala at

    It would be nice if someone could make a video tutorial on making PCB symbols that the wizard does not support.    I would like to figure out how to better use the CAD portion directly.  I can use the system origin and relative origin a little bit but I still have problems nailing it.  Using reference lines helps but it is still hard to demension things.   I get by though.  Learning curve thats all.  I will continue to look for libraries.  One super great thing about DesignSpark is the awsome support.  I would imagine your resources are slim too.     

  • Avatar

    Posted by nospam1234usa at

    I agree that a tutorial on how to construct parts without the Wizard is sorely needed.
    There have to be some tricks I am missing to accurately construct a 2D part in DesignSpark
    I have done it to approx. dimensions but struggle to get it perfect
    I really don't understand what the ruler measures

    Joe

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