how to use eaglecad efficiently ?

Me, too.

[snip...snip...]

I started using KiCad, a free (GPL) app. It's still a little new and raw around the edges but I find it works great for homebrew projects.

The print dialog has a checkbox for "mirror."

Have also gotten Kicad boards done at "normal" fab houses (AP Circuits).

--
Rich Webb     Norfolk, VA

Welcome to the world of ECAD. Libraries can be a bitch--no matter whose software you use.

The pcb app I use has object selection control buttons. Ex: If I'm only moving traces, I disable selecting parts.

D from BC

I use a PCBCAD program I got off ebay for less than =A320. It allows mirroring and inverting of the print.

If this jerk's deceitful method

of posting advertisements for his product don't tip you off, here's more about how he would likely treat a request for support:

**Know your vendor (a real jerk)** 'd-respond-to-a-bug-report-or-request-for-assistance-with-his-software

problmes

new and

projects.

Circuits).

Thanks for info Rich,

i think i tried or was going to try Kicad but they only had a LINUX version ? Maybe i am mistaken i see they have windows binaries. well i 'll take a look.

thanks for info , robb

Thanks for help Jeff, I suppose i just need to use it to get used to the interface , as with most apps. more flexibility translates to bigger learning curve.

thanks for help, robb

You may be thinking of the gEDA suite, another GPL schematic capture and board layout app. DJ Delorie, one of gEDA's developers, is around the group here fairly often. AFAIK, the gEDA suite is only supported on Linux and relatives but I seem to recall that a MS Windows port is under consideration.

--
Rich Webb     Norfolk, VA

Yup.

Linux and Mac OS/X are well supported. Windows works, but there are some rough edges we haven't dealt with yet.

the

Thanks for reply D, The app i was using had object selection and then choose opertation to perform.... where eagle is more an operation mode select and then you apply the operation to the objects .

so i am continually applying unintended opertations to objects like rotations and moves that were un intended alwys scrambling things.

robb

Rich Webb wrote: :You may be thinking of the gEDA suite : Webb got it in one, I think.

Yup. The KiCAD developers support Linux & Windoze.

In addition, Lothar Behrens has ported KiCAD to OS X:

?page_id=30+Ozh+how.it.looks.*.after.my.changes+running.KICAD.on.*.OS.X+some.issues.with.*.executable.names

Bostjan Jerko also has an OS X port he calls YAVOK (Yet Another Version Of KiCAD):

My now-dead Google Cache of that page highlighted the fact that he had to split it into 2 executables

--one for PPC and another for x86.

There is also a Solaris port of KiCAD:

The O.P. might also like to know that Easy-PC is the "little brother" of Pulsonix -- although I believe they started life as two separate programs, development is done by the same company now and hence there are a lot of similarities.

Bearing in mind TANSTAAFL.

While Advanced Circuits is a respected company and PC Artist is less onerous than other lock-in-ware (Pad2Pad, PCB123, ExpressPCB), it is still in that category.

Joel's earlier post with details:

*-have-to-start-over-*-*-*-*-*-again+option.to.generate.Gerber.files+*.*.*.free.schematic.capture/layout.software+ExpressPCB+after-you-*+*-slightest-*-change-*-*-*+Advanced.Circuits Joerg added details about Advanced Circuits and NRE.

I badmouth Eagle sometimes because I think their wonks don't listen. They have a suggestions newsgroup, but the vast majority of suggestions go unanswered and it seems like most underlying cause for the complaints remain unfixed. But I use it because I know it; but also in it's own way, (-whatever that is-) it is very good. I am looking at other packages, but it is hard to change old habits.

Here is the script that I run to setup my workspace. Save to the SCR folder and invoke by clicking >File >Script > (BRD-SCH-PAC-SYM_edit.scr)

It is good that Eagle has this capability, but I sometimes wonder, "why is this necessary"?

**************************************************************************** # BRD-SCH-PAC-SYM_edit.scr # Describes diferent BRD, SCH, PAC,and SYM editors grid settings. # Use instead of "Assign" keyboard shortcuts. Otherwise, there is no difference between PAC and SYM settings. ###################################################### # Run this script after switching between PAC and SYM and editors # to eliminate compromised optimal grid settings # and lessen the need to memorize keyboard shortcuts that # cannot be performed with one hand. # As you determine your preferences, change the menues. # Also run for SCH and PCB editing.

pac: assign C+A 'grid in; grid .025 2 on' assign C+Q 'grid in; grid .0125 4 on' assign C+s 'grid in; grid .00625 8 on' assign C+w 'grid in; grid .003125 16 on' assign C+d 'grid in; grid .0015625 32 on' assign C+e 'grid in; grid .00078125 64 on' assign C+f 'grid in; grid .000390625 128 on' assign A+m 'grid mm; grid 1 1 on' assign A+n 'grid mm; grid .5 2 on' assign A+b 'grid mm; grid .25 4 on' assign A+v 'grid mm; grid .125 8 on' assign A+c 'grid mm; grid .05 20 on' assign A+d 'grid mm; grid .1 10 on' assign C+z 'grid last' assign C+X 'grid default on' assign A+X 'grid .1 10 on' set width_menu .086 .076 .066 .056 .050 .040 .032 .028 .024 .020 .016 .012 .01 .008 .006 .005; set smd_menu 0.012 x0.00 0.016 x0.008 0.024 x0.012 0.024 x0.086 0.032 x0.016

0.04 x0.02 0.05 x0.025 0.055 x0.028 0.066 x0.032 0.07 x0.036 0.076 x0.038 0.086 x0.042 0.1 x0.05; set diameter_menu .155 .143 .132 .12 .112 .108 .104 .100 .096 .092 .090 .086 .082 .075 .0675 .052; set drill_menu .028 .032 .033 .035 .036 .040 .043 .0465 .0472 .051 .055 .060 .0635 .067 .072 .076;

sym: assign C+A 'grid in; grid .05 2 on' assign C+q 'grid in; grid .025 4 on' assign C+s 'grid in; grid .0125 8 on' assign C+w 'grid in; grid .00625 16 on' assign C+d 'grid in; grid .003125 32 on' assign C+e 'grid in; grid .0015625 64 on' assign C+f 'grid in; grid .00078125 128 on' assign C+z 'grid last' assign C+X 'grid default on' set width_menu .01 .086 .076 .066 .050 .040 .032 .028 .024 .020 .016 .012 .01 .006 .005;

brd: assign C+A 'grid in; grid .025 2 on' assign C+Q 'grid in; grid .0125 4 on' assign C+s 'grid in; grid .00625 8 on' assign C+w 'grid in; grid .003125 16 on' assign C+d 'grid in; grid .0015625 32 on' assign C+e 'grid in; grid .00078125 64 on' assign A+m 'grid mm; grid 1 1 on' assign A+n 'grid mm; grid .5 2 on' assign A+b 'grid mm; grid .25 4 on' assign A+v 'grid mm; grid .125 8 on' assign A+c 'grid mm; grid .0625 16 on' assign A+d 'grid mm; grid .03125 32 on' assign A+e 'grid mm; grid .015625 64 on assign C+z 'grid last' assign C+X 'grid default on' set width_menu .1 .08 .06 .050 .048 .040 .0375 .03 .025 .024 .020 .015 .0125 .01 .008 .006; set diameter_menu .155 .143 .132 .12 .112 .108 .104 .100 .096 .092 .090 .086 .082 .075 .0675 .052; set drill_menu .028 .032 .033 .035 .036 .040 .043 .0465 .0472 .051 .055 .060 .0635 .067 .072;

sch: #grid alternate .0125 16 on; assign C+A 'grid in; grid .05 2 on' assign C+q 'grid in; grid .025 4 on' assign C+s 'grid in; grid .0125 8 on' assign C+w 'grid in; grid .00625 16 on' assign C+d 'grid in; grid .003125 32 on' assign C+e 'grid in; grid .0015625 64 on' assign C+f 'grid in; grid .00078125 128 on' assign C+z 'grid last' assign C+X 'grid default off' set width_menu .01 .086 .076 .066 .050 .040 .032 .028 .024 .020 .016 .012 .01 .006 .005;

################################ # PERSONAL NOTES # use .0675 diameter for DIP pads *** cha dia .0675 *** # use .052 dia for TO92 transistor-inline pins (long shape) *** cha dia .052 *** #end

With best regards, Brett Holden. E-mail: snipped-for-privacy@bellsoh.net

Eagle is just so way out of date it is almost unusable.

It reminds me a lot of early EasyPC. But easyPC has moved on by miles.

Eagle is still stuck in the days of DOS and thast probably where it originated.

I would go for a modern Windows package. There is usually something on ebay for a few pounds.

GEE, MARRA, COULD YOU SUGGEST A TITLE???

I bet I can guess what you'll say...

Is it burnt to a mini CDROM, and packed in a recycled Hormel "Shoulder of Pork And Ham" can?

--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I\'ve got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida