Struggling with PCB design.

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ICMF
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Struggling with PCB design.

Post by ICMF » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:58 pm

I'm thinking about using common ground buttons in my build, rather than tact switches. Since I'm using 3DS buttons, that means custom PCBs, though. I've drafted a design in CAD (Solidworks) that should work, but I'm struggling to translate it to something I could actually send out to Oshpark.
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Eagle, KiCAD, Fritzing and the like all seem to be geared more towards building proper circuits, based on actual components - add your components and it'll route the traces for you. I want to do basically the reverse - draw my own traces. Is there a piece of software that will let me do that? From the Googling I've done, it sounds like Eagle et. al. can be made to do what I want, but it's not really straightforward and as someone with *zero* experience in the software, I'm hoping for a simpler option.

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moosepr
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Re: Struggling with PCB design.

Post by moosepr » Tue Jun 20, 2017 2:25 pm

yeah getting started with PCB design is a bit on the awkward side. You at least know what you are aiming for which is a good start

If you are just after single sided boards, you could technically print out what you have, and use it to etch copper clad boards yourself!! (messy but not a bad option)

Your main problem is getting the libraries really. You can design your own pretty easily (you dont seem too shy of cad packages!!) or if you beg the designers of some of the AIO boards for their button libraries, then it would technically be like a 5 minute job to design those boards.

i personally lean towards eagle, but that is mainly because i have learned its quirks. they all have little niggles, and once you have learned one, its a pain to translate to another
Get a small cheep LCD in your project https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2312
Wrap it all round a battery https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2292
Or use a custom PCB to make it really small https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2512
or make it really really really really tiny!! https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2919

ICMF
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Re: Struggling with PCB design.

Post by ICMF » Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:07 pm

Yeah, I can generate .dwg files of *exactly* the shapes I want (or .ai, or whatever), but I'm struggling with a way to translate that into a gerber file for production.

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tronicgr
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Re: Struggling with PCB design.

Post by tronicgr » Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:37 am

I have been using Sprint Layout for PCB design since 2005 and its the most simple to use. You can just draw literally the circuit you want and then generate the gerber files / drills ready for production. Has a great preview of the final board so you know how it will look before you submit it.

http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/sprint-layout.html

It does not have the complexity of Eagle, and does not need to have a schematic linked to create parts or components. Yet i have created very dense and complex boards with it, see below some of them:


IMG_20151014_095002.jpg
A force feedback controller with wireless buttons design
IMG_20151014_095002.jpg (913.53 KiB) Viewed 5238 times
IMG_20151030_071933.jpg
A force feedback controller with wireless buttons design
IMG_20151030_071933.jpg (478.99 KiB) Viewed 5238 times
IMG_20170420_145206.jpg
Bluetooth Device I designed with Sprint Layout 6
IMG_20170420_145206.jpg (858.78 KiB) Viewed 5238 times
IMG_20170315_122357.jpg
Another device for industrial servomotors control...
IMG_20170315_122357.jpg (964.11 KiB) Viewed 5238 times

Thanks
Thanos

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moosepr
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Re: Struggling with PCB design.

Post by moosepr » Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:15 pm

I just remembered there is an online one called upverter they have a service where they will make parts for you, so they might be able to make the pad parts for you to just place them on a board
Get a small cheep LCD in your project https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2312
Wrap it all round a battery https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2292
Or use a custom PCB to make it really small https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2512
or make it really really really really tiny!! https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2919

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