.. index:: pcb-rnd, pcb,schematic capture,netlist,spice,jlc-pcb,openscad .. _pcb-rnd-2: .. Created pcb-rnd.rst: Wed 20 Apr 2022 04:23:12 AEST .. Full Path: /home/tp/mecrisp-unofficial-doc/pcb-rnd.rst .. Author Copyright 2022 by t.j.porter .. Made by /home/tp/projects/scripts/makerst.sh -->/usr/local/bin/makerst .. license: MIT, please see COPYING Pcb-rnd ======= To make Forth devices, one needs a great Open Source PCB CAD program and my choice in 2022 is PCB-RND by Tibor 'Igor2' Palinkas and team. PCB-RND is a rewrite of my favorite PCB CAD of all time, *PCB* started by `Thomas Nau in 1990 `_. This is a quick preview. so if you need a great GPL PCB cad, you can check it out yourself at `THIS LINK `_. PCB-RND is probably in your Unix repo ready to download anyway. Workflow -------- Pcb-rnd uses what I call the 'traditional pcb workflow' in that a design proceeds in the following stages: 1. A schematic is designed using a *schematic capture* program. I happen to use `gSchem `_ because I find it so similar to `ORCAD for DOS `_ and gSchem has the easiest parts library creation. .. image:: pcb-rnd/astable-dual-current-mirror.jpg 2. A netlist is created to transfer the information from the *schematic capture* program using `Gnetlist `_ 3. A PCB CAD then inputs the netlist (which contains the part and connection information), allowing part placement and *rubberbanding*. Backannotation is also important so that changes to the PCB are reflected back to the netlist. Back in the old days, this was done via a automatically generated ECO or *engineering change order*. A netlist allows disparate software types to interwork together so you're not stuck with the Schematic Capture you hate, just to use a PCB CAD you love. 4. Optional but highly recommended. `Fossil SCM `_. All the gEDA formats are *TEXT* files, perfect for a `Revision Control System `_ because they don't have binary blobs in proprietary formats. This allows all kinds of handy features, such as comparing the differences between schematic/pcb versions etc. Spice ^^^^^ The generation of a *netlist* allows the schematic to be imported into other applications, your choice of analog or digital `SPICE `_ etc. .. image:: pcb-rnd/esr-dig-frontend-2.sch.plot.png Monoliths ^^^^^^^^^ Modern trends tend to incorporate the schematic capture and PCB CAD into the one program, examples are `Kicad `_ etc. I can't speak to their utility as I don't use them but they look seriously capable and up to date with all kinds of bling. PCB Fabs ^^^^^^^^ The super cheap Fab `JLCPCB `_ makes available a Cloud hosted commercial `easyEDA PCB CAD `_ that has their parts supplier branch integrated so you can do everything on your browser including having your pcb assembled before it's shipped to you. I personally would never commit my designs to the cloud for dozens of reasons, but it is undeniably convenient. Example PCB ----------- I made this pcb at home in 1999, using PCB. It was made using a laser printer to make a photo mask and then exposed in a light box before being etched in a small plastic tray. The picture was taken about 10 - 15 years later when the copper was very green and corroded. After a quick hand sand with some *wet and dry* sandpaper this pic was taken. I still have it because it was a mod of a existing product and I messed up the SMT transistor footprints. .. image:: pics/prototyping/fb02-pcb-dimension.jpg .. warning:: This is a board that I designed 23 years ago and I can still use the design files in GPL software I compiled last week. Will the latest Java loaded proprietary CAD that is so convienent to use in a browser allow you to review your work in a quarter century ? Will you be able to show your kids or your grandkids what you made back then, or will your creative history be forever beyond reach ? Pcb-rnd Gui ^^^^^^^^^^^ Loading my original 1999 design file with no changes. .. image:: pcb-rnd/pcb-rnd_fastbindi.jpg .. warning:: Don't be fooled by the simple looking GUI because underneath this careful ergonomic layout lurks MASSIVE capability and complexity. For instance intense full time development started on PCB-RND in 2015. * P.S. I'm planing a JLC-PCB made pcb using my new :ref:`DSBGA chip` with PCB-RND and will add that project to this doc site when it's done. Export Formats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PCB-RND exports to all kinds of formats. .. image:: pcb-rnd/pcb-rnd-export-menu.jpg png ~~~ This provides a handy *xray* view of the board for development and later construction. .. image:: pcb-rnd/pcb-rnd-xray.jpg Openscad ~~~~~~~~ These views are the same file just rotated and flipped etc. The parts are not in 3D because they do not contain that information for PCB-RND to export, having come from 1999. Modern parts would have that information I imagine. This facility may also allow one to create a 3D printer enclosure with lid etc, and to try the actual pcb part in that enclosure for fit and mountings before actually printing anything ? Copper View ########### .. image:: pcb-rnd/rcb-rnd-openscad-2.jpg Component View ############## .. image:: pcb-rnd/rcb-rnd-openscad-1.jpg Side view ######### .. image:: pcb-rnd/rcb-rnd-openscad-3.jpg Summary ------- I hope I have enticed you to try `PCB-RND `_ and if you have any issues while using it, just click on the *BLUE BUTTON* which I think is a unique concept which connects you in realtime to the PCB-RND IRC server where you can chat to the designers, maintainers and users. This is seriously good **REAL TIME HELP** folks. The Blue HELP Button ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ .. image:: pcb-rnd/pcb-rnd-help-1.jpg IRC Connect Menu ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ .. image:: pcb-rnd/pcb-rnd-help-2.jpg Talking to the Helpline ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ .. image:: pcb-rnd/pcb-rnd-help-3.jpg **My personal gratitude to Tibor and team for reincarnating the stagnant PCB with a much improved PCB-RND**