It's good to see someone actually using these free tools! I tried KiCad before but compared to Eagle Layout Tool it is a little less intuitive and compared to professional layout software it is a pain. But using TopoR for layouting makes total sense. I'll try both for future projects! Keep up the good work!
I will admit KiCad is not intuitive. It took me 10 minutes to find out how to switch from metric to imperial. It took even longer to find out how to switch default text sizes, and honestly, I'm still having trouble setting up multiple-width-traces-per-track. But, It is significantly simpler and quicker for smaller designs than gEDA - and significantly better than ExpressPCB.
2:40 Kicad has FPC footprint generator (as well as other generators), you just enter parameters. Also i needed to reverse the pin numbers, so i just selected all pins and used "mirror" tool.
I am also using KiCAD, previously used easyEda and DipTrace. KiCad is great but the lack of built-in autorouter is a little bit of problem for me. Though I'm curious if autorouters are really used by professionals and if I should ttain myself to avoid autorouters completely.
Wow. My OCD kicked in hard when I saw the finish layout. I'm angle minded and want everything straight and parallel to adjacent traces. To each his own though 😉
I'm going to be real with you, I have no idea what any of the things you showed me in this video is. Is there something I can learn to get a better understanding?
How do you print 600dpi png file in original size? Size is also increasing while resolution is. Is there a feature that achieves it in printer driver software? I am doing the similar process on Eagle, as well as postscript file but I can't figure out how to print high resolution images in original size.
Hi. Maybe you could make a proper KiCad tutorial? I didn't find one I really like after a quick search, and you are great at explaining things in a fast and comprehensive manner.
I've been using eagle cause it's freeware and I'm getting used to going from making custom libraries, laying out the board and the schematic, do you have any reasons for me to user other CAD software like the one in this video?
What kind of RGB Matrix? 5050? With embedded controller (i.e. WS2812B) or without (a boatload of discrete LEDs) Will you need to put in control logic? Or do you want to just make them all turn on and off?
CNLohr Thanks for the reply. I'm planning to control the rgb matrix via bluetooth and show different patterns and text so I think I will need some control logic. I'm rather new to this and would appreciate any help. Thanks!
How did you learn how to build circuits, Use data sheets and know that certain things require capacitors, resistors, etc.? Did you get a computer engineering degree?
I started learning when I was very young. My dad made me an electronics kit with a capacitor, LED, switch, battery and blinking LED when I was probably 4. From there I just played and played. I did eventually get a CE degree. But, I think most of my learning was from tinkering and doing projects. "I wonder if I can do X" half the answer was "Yes, and I learned something" half the time the answer was "well, I can't figure out how." projects projects projects
CNLohr I'm currently a junior getting a computer science degree, and most hardware design i've yet to do is a simple ardunio timer/temperature circuit, but i want to learn more! Is there a website or resource you could suggest that would be good for learning about all the different components, and chips?
Sadly, no. I have thought about making a poster for a long time but it always stalls me. When I say poster, I mean mother of all electronics posters. All different types of active devices, passives, filter design, rules of thumb... More a tool to know what to google rather than fix your problem at hand. x.x So many things to do, so little time.
Alright, I've been using Altium for the last couple of years and decided to move on to KiCAD (due to licensing and accessibility reasons, especially for Open Source). Which linux OS do you recommend for running KiCAD? (I am going to use a virtual machine). I think the OS you are using is lubuntu but I'm not sure. Anyways, is KiCAD a good professional software capable of making complicated boards? The last time I checked was on windows and it was terrifyingly terrible. Hopefully the linux version is less buggy...
I know my roommate used the windows version a good bit recently and liked it ... plus TopoR is native to windows, but, if you do want to try the VM route, I use Mint (Mate Desktop). It's much less dominating than Ubuntu.
I run Mint (Mate) on most all of my machines natively. Running a windows VM for TopoR has had excellent results not to mention the VM can be transported ;) . Over the last couple of years, I was running gEDA suite resulting in successful projects but haven't found a way to get the project into TopoR so I guess KiCAD would be most helpful here. I was announced on TopoR's website that Linux version was in future plans but that was years ago so I don't know if or when that will ever happen. I loved the videos btw. Thanks for sharing these.
You can use TopoR in Wine. No need to run a VM. Easier to open and move files back and forth. Also, recently, I've been using topor less and less. dunno why, though. I'm glad you're still in the loop!
I did sometime back on older versions but the newer versions fail during install in Wine for me. It's easy for me to transport the VM from host to host since it's ~20GB or so. But not to worry, you'll may yourself using it again when a diabolical project comes up. :)
I studied Computer Engineering. I did a few really small through-hole designs with an 8051 in early college. It wasn't until my last year as an undergrad I found AVRs. That's when I started getting serious and bought a bunch of PCBs from ExpressPCB. About a year and a half later, I tried making my own PCBs with magazine paper. Much to my surprise, it worked! I almost peed my pants. Since then, I've made over 112 prints, many with multiple designs (I keep track with the filename of the images I print).
Why the odd angles? It is kind of neat, but not my cup of tea. Anyway, why TopoR? Autorouters are generally a bad idea. I've designed many simple and complex boards manually. On many of those, I gave Eagle's autorouter a try, just for the knack of it, and it couldn't resolve the design. Even simple designs would fail to autoroute.
There was a back-and-forth on Reddit about this. I posted a thread about my design that I manually routed on one layer "Let me see your autorouter route this! (and stay on one layer)". Someone else posted TopoR's response "I see your manual routing and raise you with an autorouter". It is impressive. But yeah, sometimes I do have to go back to fix ground connectors and the like cause they routed important wires all around kingdom come.
I'm sorry, but that is one of the most horrific layouts I have ever seen. TopoR does a terrible job at laying out traces, and like any other autorouter-type utilities, is utter and complete garbage. It just makes one big mess. I recommend never using it.
You should start learning the basics of CAD (usually in PSPICE) designing shortly after you get past your circuit analysis classes. Just be prepared to "enjoy" the future bane of your existence until you get the hang of it... the floating node error. Lots of PSpice beginners have issues with floating nodes for the first sketch or two.
I am a computer engineer. I didn't learn how to do too much of this in school. I think when it comes to practical application you have to either teach yourself or learn in occupation.
+CNLohr I'm an EE student getting ready to finish an associates. I couldn't agree more. I learned far more from doing on my own than what I have in school. Theory is good, but hands on is where it's at!
It's good to see someone actually using these free tools! I tried KiCad before but compared to Eagle Layout Tool it is a little less intuitive and compared to professional layout software it is a pain. But using TopoR for layouting makes total sense. I'll try both for future projects! Keep up the good work!
I will admit KiCad is not intuitive. It took me 10 minutes to find out how to switch from metric to imperial. It took even longer to find out how to switch default text sizes, and honestly, I'm still having trouble setting up multiple-width-traces-per-track. But, It is significantly simpler and quicker for smaller designs than gEDA - and significantly better than ExpressPCB.
2:40 Kicad has FPC footprint generator (as well as other generators), you just enter parameters. Also i needed to reverse the pin numbers, so i just selected all pins and used "mirror" tool.
This was long ago.
I am also using KiCAD, previously used easyEda and DipTrace. KiCad is great but the lack of built-in autorouter is a little bit of problem for me. Though I'm curious if autorouters are really used by professionals and if I should ttain myself to avoid autorouters completely.
Wow. My OCD kicked in hard when I saw the finish layout. I'm angle minded and want everything straight and parallel to adjacent traces. To each his own though 😉
Penfold8 You and me both!!
You can also use the freerouting.net router to autoroute with free-angle traces.
+Brady OBrien I did not know that
Thank you! This is immensely helpful for a software guy.
I'm going to be real with you, I have no idea what any of the things you showed me in this video is. Is there something I can learn to get a better understanding?
How do you print 600dpi png file in original size? Size is also increasing while resolution is. Is there a feature that achieves it in printer driver software? I am doing the similar process on Eagle, as well as postscript file but I can't figure out how to print high resolution images in original size.
Open/Libre Office Writer. They do a lot to make sure if you convert from PostScript to a .PNG using Gimp, to preserve the original size.
That is pretty senseful. Thanks. I will try printing 32-pin qfn MCU in 1200dpi, I am very curious about the result.
... I did not understand much here... but it motivated me to learn more. luckily my projects are quite a bit simpler :D
Hi. Maybe you could make a proper KiCad tutorial? I didn't find one I really like after a quick search, and you are great at explaining things in a fast and comprehensive manner.
Ooph. That is quite the undertaking. There's so much, and I'm confident I do half of it the wrong way.
I've been using eagle cause it's freeware and I'm getting used to going from making custom libraries, laying out the board and the schematic, do you have any reasons for me to user other CAD software like the one in this video?
I find KiCad more intuitive and Topor is awesome at autorouting, like REALLY awesome.
Cool I'll check it out. For some odd reason I find manual routing calming lol but I'm sure it'll get old real quick, cheers
I routed the firs 100? PCBs I designed manually. I loved it too. Dunno what changed for me.
hey, do you know where should I start if I want to design a pcb for a rgb leds matrix? thanks!
What kind of RGB Matrix? 5050? With embedded controller (i.e. WS2812B) or without (a boatload of discrete LEDs) Will you need to put in control logic? Or do you want to just make them all turn on and off?
CNLohr Thanks for the reply. I'm planning to control the rgb matrix via bluetooth and show different patterns and text so I think I will need some control logic. I'm rather new to this and would appreciate any help. Thanks!
How did you fill up the background/????
Andres Vicario By creating a fill zone.
ok thanks
can I am learn electronic it home
How did you learn how to build circuits, Use data sheets and know that certain things require capacitors, resistors, etc.? Did you get a computer engineering degree?
I started learning when I was very young. My dad made me an electronics kit with a capacitor, LED, switch, battery and blinking LED when I was probably 4. From there I just played and played.
I did eventually get a CE degree. But, I think most of my learning was from tinkering and doing projects.
"I wonder if I can do X" half the answer was "Yes, and I learned something" half the time the answer was "well, I can't figure out how."
projects projects projects
CNLohr I'm currently a junior getting a computer science degree, and most hardware design i've yet to do is a simple ardunio timer/temperature circuit, but i want to learn more! Is there a website or resource you could suggest that would be good for learning about all the different components, and chips?
Sadly, no. I have thought about making a poster for a long time but it always stalls me. When I say poster, I mean mother of all electronics posters. All different types of active devices, passives, filter design, rules of thumb... More a tool to know what to google rather than fix your problem at hand. x.x So many things to do, so little time.
Alright, I've been using Altium for the last couple of years and decided to move on to KiCAD (due to licensing and accessibility reasons, especially for Open Source). Which linux OS do you recommend for running KiCAD? (I am going to use a virtual machine). I think the OS you are using is lubuntu but I'm not sure.
Anyways, is KiCAD a good professional software capable of making complicated boards? The last time I checked was on windows and it was terrifyingly terrible. Hopefully the linux version is less buggy...
I know my roommate used the windows version a good bit recently and liked it ... plus TopoR is native to windows, but, if you do want to try the VM route, I use Mint (Mate Desktop). It's much less dominating than Ubuntu.
I run Mint (Mate) on most all of my machines natively. Running a windows VM for TopoR has had excellent results not to mention the VM can be transported ;) . Over the last couple of years, I was running gEDA suite resulting in successful projects but haven't found a way to get the project into TopoR so I guess KiCAD would be most helpful here. I was announced on TopoR's website that Linux version was in future plans but that was years ago so I don't know if or when that will ever happen. I loved the videos btw. Thanks for sharing these.
You can use TopoR in Wine. No need to run a VM. Easier to open and move files back and forth. Also, recently, I've been using topor less and less. dunno why, though. I'm glad you're still in the loop!
I did sometime back on older versions but the newer versions fail during install in Wine for me. It's easy for me to transport the VM from host to host since it's ~20GB or so. But not to worry, you'll may yourself using it again when a diabolical project comes up. :)
hey, thanks for the great vid.
what's your Major ? i'm a 2nd year EE student and still don't know when i'll learn how to do these designs
I studied Computer Engineering. I did a few really small through-hole designs with an 8051 in early college. It wasn't until my last year as an undergrad I found AVRs. That's when I started getting serious and bought a bunch of PCBs from ExpressPCB.
About a year and a half later, I tried making my own PCBs with magazine paper. Much to my surprise, it worked! I almost peed my pants.
Since then, I've made over 112 prints, many with multiple designs (I keep track with the filename of the images I print).
well this gives me hope i won't be a stupid EE graduate in future.
thanks for the reply and for all the great vids
Why the odd angles? It is kind of neat, but not my cup of tea. Anyway, why TopoR? Autorouters are generally a bad idea. I've designed many simple and complex boards manually. On many of those, I gave Eagle's autorouter a try, just for the knack of it, and it couldn't resolve the design. Even simple designs would fail to autoroute.
Please don't tell me you use auto routers for routing precision circuits :(
There was a back-and-forth on Reddit about this. I posted a thread about my design that I manually routed on one layer "Let me see your autorouter route this! (and stay on one layer)". Someone else posted TopoR's response "I see your manual routing and raise you with an autorouter".
It is impressive.
But yeah, sometimes I do have to go back to fix ground connectors and the like cause they routed important wires all around kingdom come.
Panc. .... kush samj ra aa ni riha..Ki kri janda ahe
I'm sorry, but that is one of the most horrific layouts I have ever seen. TopoR does a terrible job at laying out traces, and like any other autorouter-type utilities, is utter and complete garbage. It just makes one big mess. I recommend never using it.
you have patience. ^.^
Theres 5 mins I can never get back again, thanks for showing me ah....Nothing !
not show 20x speed ! fu..
Wow.
hey, thanks for the great vid.
what's your Major ? i'm a 2nd year EE student and still don't know when i'll learn how to do these designs
You should start learning the basics of CAD (usually in PSPICE) designing shortly after you get past your circuit analysis classes. Just be prepared to "enjoy" the future bane of your existence until you get the hang of it... the floating node error. Lots of PSpice beginners have issues with floating nodes for the first sketch or two.
I am a computer engineer. I didn't learn how to do too much of this in school. I think when it comes to practical application you have to either teach yourself or learn in occupation.
+CNLohr I'm an EE student getting ready to finish an associates. I couldn't agree more. I learned far more from doing on my own than what I have in school. Theory is good, but hands on is where it's at!