DesignSpark Suggestion Box

Design Spark suggestions and some bugs found by Northeastman January 2012

1. When making a new component, schematic or PCB outline is it possible to make a default unit and grid settings.  Every time we make a new component we have to remember to set the Units to mm and the Grid to 2.54.  Obviously these are our preferences but there does not appear to be a way for users to set these preferences as their default for new parts.
2. When we are creating a new component we often need to create the schematic symbol and then create the PCB outline for the same item.  After creating the symbol and saving it we are returned to the project layout screens.  It would be more efficient if we could choose to return to the Library screen so we can proceed with the PCB layout for the new component.  The application of a combined Save and Back to library function would be required when saving any library symbol. We know you can activate the library again but being able to hold the library screen open while creating components would be a time saver.
3. In the library manager if we use edit a component, and then enter editing either the PCB outline or the schematic symbol any changes that are made are not shown when we save and return to the component editor.  The changes only show when we save the component and return to the project.  This leads to uncertainty that the changes have taken.
4. We have made a new component C1210 in the NTElectronics library that is reported by the library manager as follows:

C1210                         C    C                        discrete      {C:\Users\Public\Documents\DesignSpark PCB\Library}

                                                                           SML                      C1210                    NTElectronics        {C:\Users\Public\Documents\DesignSpark PCB\Library}

                                                                           C0603                    C0603                    sm {C:\Users\Public\Documents\DesignSpark PCB\Library}

If we view the component from the Add Component Interaction bar neither the schematic symbol nor the PCB outline show, and the component cannot be used.  If we view using the Library manager the schematic symbol and all packages show OK.  We have found the only way to fix this problem is to totally recreate the component; schematic symbol and PCB outline from scratch and save them all to our own libraries.  This would appear to be some kind of bug?

1. It is does not appear to be possible to set the layer for the reference origin in the PCB layout this must be done from the Library editor.  The default layer for this is always documentation and cannot be set to top silkscreen between projects.
2. When adding text to Schematic drawings would it be possible to be able to select the font details and sizes instead of just adding the text.  Sometimes we need to change font size.  An example would be while filling in the text in an A4 drawing frame in the schema library where some boxes need a smaller font size.  Currently we have to enter the text and then change its properties after adding, this is time consuming.
3. We designed a new schematic item and then the PCB outline that was saved in our own library. Later it was discovered that the new PCB outline in our library was incorrect.  We entered the Edit Component in Library from the PCB layout screen and changed the package from the custom one stored in our own library to one from in the prolib library.  We deleted the PCB outline package from our library.  After re-linking all the pins the component showed as being correct in the Component editor. 

   When we then tried to update the component in the PCB the report stated that it could not find the PCB outline from the prolib library.  Re-checking the Component showed everything to be in order.

4. When printing it would be an improvement to have control of the printer margins so that a PCB artwork can be positioned on the film to make best use of the space.  PCB artwork film is expensive so we try to use as efficiently as possible. A preview screen showing how the printout will look would be helpful in this respect also.
5. When printing it would be an improvement if we could select the printer and set it up in the same window as printing is launched.  Most other packages work this way and it is more user friendly in that the user can choose and view the printer selected.
6. Is it possible to add a Format Painter so that the attributes of symbols in a schematic design can be all set to view or not view without having to edit every symbol?  It would also be better to have default settings for the library symbols so that attributes of symbols can be set as preferences in the whole design.  This may already be possible although we haven’t found out how?

The effort that has gone into developing Design Spark is considerable and we hope these suggestions are useful to the developers and users of the system.

Best Wishes and keep up the good work

Northeastman

Hey it been over a year since a post here!!!!

I was just thinking there should be a "suggestion box", but how and where to suggest it!

I think the lack of posts shows this is not prominent enough so how about raising the profile of this very useful feature! Sorry if this has already been done, but if so I missed it.......

I would like to see information relating to Parallax.

If DS can easily mesh the RS catalogue with DS PCB software, being able to use designspark in conjunction with the RS catalogue would give DS a very tangible competitive advantage.  The most tedious part of working with any PCB software if you do not have a pro-pcb designer on site is getting the right the library organised.  Designspark could potentially solve a huge headache for many projects if this functionality was available. Thanks, Stephen L

I had a few idea's I believe this is the appropriate location to put them I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm wrong.

When you add a component such as a connector or header from the library it would be nice if in DS if in both the Schematic and PCB view could provide with a right click a list of available mates for that connector.

If you then added the connector to the existing Schematic/PCB, mated it with its counterpart you originally used to find the mate and then dragged the mate onto a new schematic / pcb and DS would create the links for you. 

OR

Alternatively if you dragged the connector over another Schematic/PCB entry DS would pull that entry into focus, let you put the connector in the location you wanted and you could then right click and say select appropriate mate, DS could then leave the original connector on the original Schematic, place the matching mate connector on the new Schematic and create the links in between.

Also if it would create the new nets on the destination schematic based on the name of the schematic itself along with the net list name from the source schematic that would be good.

Also it would be nice if you could right click on any other part and have it provide a list of viable replacement parts like a cross reference library.

The ability to display board measurements in real world terms would be useful as well, im not sure how Thou relates to mm./cm.

The ability to partially undo a copper pour would be nice.

Add a masked or unmasked bitmap to the copper pour would be good too.

If the library display could have the manufacturer name and the part name listed in separate columns that would be really nice and if it needs to indicate a PCB or Schematic part that should be a separate column too although in reality never the twain should meet, the PCB tool should only show PCB parts and the Schematic tool Schematic parts, they could show each others parts in the related details on a right click but that's about it, apples and oranges otherwise.

The ability to attach pads to over wire mounts I.E a wire soldered between two points on the board where routing simply wasn't an option, in the same way you have a top and bottom copper you could have a top and bottom floating wire.

Ability to pull up data sheet by double click on item the, data sheet will come from remote if not found in the local data sheet directory, if unavailable in both locations, pulls up a web page with search engine.

This would change DS from a schematic capture/PCB tool to the schematic capture/PCB tool.

Dears, I feel the background of DesignSpark is black color, it's make my eyestrain even use short time. I prefer that white background is better....I just express my personal thinking.....

And just want to share with you.  Thanks...SL

Add a box to the home page called, say, 'See RS at...'. Then follows details of the next event at which RS will have a presence. e.g a stand at an exhibition. For instance, info on Embedded Live at Earls Court on the 19th, 20th and 21st October......

In the profile you need to be able to select multiple area's of expertise......not just one!!

I noticed the Website addresses in user profile are not converted as hyperlink. It would be nice to make them internet links so the viewers can automatically visit the users web site by clicking instead of having to type or paste the address.  

The web site itself seems fine, but it would be nice to add suggestions for DesignSpark itself.  Or maybe even a way for those so inclined to contribute to the features that might be added to it.

My suggestion.

Make the home page more welcoming. Currently every time I open design spark the home page looks the same, if the subject and snippet of the most recent replies, answers, comments, events etc were displayed in reverse date order the home page would at least be kept up to date.

I know it already shows a few Q & A posts but they dont seem to follow a normal time sequence, what does '0 seconds ago' mean?   

In 'Your Profile' under Compay there is no unemployed or disabled option although some people may not be in employment and others may be unable to work due to a permanent disability. The jobs you give as options are all biased towards Employed Electronic Wizzes. Could you add Other here?

Under 'Your Job' You could at least add Hobbyist!

I am assuming that you dont only want employed high fliers using your site ... or do you?