Eagle is a popular PCB design program that offers different features for enabling efficient PCB design process. This PCB design software program is often preferred among PCB designers because of its reasonable limitations. The user interface of this program allows you to select a mode and carry it out several times.
You can easily create and start a project in Eagle. Creating a schematic is important for your project. It is an important aspect of PCB design that specifies parts and which pins you need to connect on the parts. Here, we will teach you how you can create a project and start a schematic in Eagle 6 or 7.
How to Create a Project and Start a Schematic in Eagle 6 or 7
- Visit the Eagle control panel and open the “Projects” branch. You will get to see some sample projects. There are yellow icons which indicate simple directories while the red icons are project folders.
- Click on the project entry and the context menu will pop out and display the “New project.” You need to name your project and press the Enter key to confirm it.
- After this, a new project would have been created using the name of the project. This project already has a file called Eagle.epf in which all the settings during the entire project will be stored. There is a green marker which shows if the project is active. You can click on the project folder entry and choose Edit Description if you need to include a description for the said project.
- You can now input your descriptive text at the window’s bottom part. Based on your desire, the HTML tags can be used to format the text. You can as well include links to web locations or images.
- It is time to design a new schematic. Click on the project entry and choose New/Schematic. You will see the Schematic Editor window displayed. The first thing to do is to position a drawing frame which is available in the Frames. Ibr. After this, make use of the icon “ADD” to place frames or components in the schematic. You will see the ADD icon on the toolbar’s left side.
- Select an icon and you will see a display of a window with all libraries. Go through the list and check for the frames. Choose one of the frames you want. You can now place the frame in the schematic.
- There is an ADD command which helps you in placing components. You will see a Search line at the ADD dialog’s bottom. Here, you can input the name of the part.
- Before you begin creating the schematic, there are two vital things you should be aware of. These are:
The setting of the default grid in Schematics should be 0.1 inch. Ensure you keep the setting of this grid as all Eagle schematics symbols work according to this grid. You can decide to set the grid to in millimeter which equals to 2.54mm. However, ensure the size of the grid is unchanged. The size of the gird in the schematics doesn’t determine the size of the grid in the layout.
Ensure you select the Display ICON and go to layer 93 where you can be sure of where you need to connect the pins of a symbol with a net.
- On the schematic editor’s left side you will see an icon toolbar. Over it, there is an icon that displays the name and functionality of the toolbar. You can navigate the icons. Check the help function to know more about some commands you can’t use.
- The SMASH command is one of the interesting commands you will like to explore. It shows value text and name from a symbol to change its size.
- The Electrical Rule Check is the last step to follow when you are creating Eagle schematic. You will see the outcome of this check in the Errors window. Check the warning and error messages on the screen. Eagle will direct you on where to check for the drawing. Ensure you carefully read the messages to know what to do.
- The problem outlined in the message may be okay for you in some cases. Therefore, you need to approve the message.
What Functions Does Design Rule in Eagle Schematic Offer?
The Design Rule Check (DRC) evaluates or assesses the designed board against some rules in order to detect any error or issue. Although it isn’t perfect, it can help in detecting some common mistakes. Below are some descriptions of all tabs in this aspect:
- File enables you to select the DRC file you want to use. Some groups already have a particular DRC file. Therefore, you might want to use one of them.
- You can add Layers by transforming some things in the Setup. The Layers tab isn’t readily available in the freeware version. However, you can explore this tab if you are working with one of the paid licenses.
- Clearance informs Eagle about the space you need between the electrical contacts on a circuit board.
- The Masks layer designates masks on the PCB. During the fabrication of a board, there is a coating that protects the board. If the PCB is assembled by a machine, solder paste is applied and a stencil is created. Stop helps to control the size of the holes in the stop masks for the different parts while Cream controls the hole size in the stencil.
- The Distance tab shows the distance between routing and the circuit board’s edge. Hole or Drill is the calculated distance from a routing to a drill in the PCB.
- Shapes enable the creation of pads with rounded edges.
- The Size tab allows you to choose whatever size you want your smallest drill to have. Always set the minimum sizes. You can get the minimum width from your fabrication house.
- Restring regulates and monitors the size of vias and through-hole pads.
- The supply layer gives control over thermals.
How to Add Parts to Eagle Schematic
Eagle schematic design requires you to add parts to the schematic sheet. After which you have to wire the parts together. However, you can carry out the two steps interchangeably. This means you can add a few parts and wire some parts.
The ADD tool
This tool is what you need to place components on the schematic. The ADD tool shows a library navigator. You can expand some particular libraries and check the parts it holds via the library navigator. Furthermore, there is a search functionality in the ADD tool. It helps in navigating through many libraries to locate a part.
Add a frame
You need to add a frame as it makes your schematic appear neat and organized. After you have chosen the part you will be adding, it will begin to hover around. Just left-click to place the part well. The add tool will always act like you need to place another part after you have successfully placed a part. You can exit the add-mode by clicking on the ESC button twice. Alternatively, you can choose a different tool.
Save
The schematic is not yet saved. Therefore, you need to click on File and choose save. Ensure you give the schematic a name you desire. The title of the frame will update immediately after saving.
Add the power input
After this, you will include different parts. Make use of the add tool for this step. The MOVE tool will help you to move your parts.
Add the main component
You need to include the main component and some other components. Choose one of the options on the rotate toolbar so as to rotate parts as they are being placed.
Add the connectors
This step involves adding some connectors.
Tips and Tricks in Eagle Schematics
Verify connections
There is a SHOW tool that helps you confirm the connections of all pins across the schematics. Once you use this tool, all the connected pins will light up.
Names and values
Each component on the schematic must have a value and a name. The value enables you to describe some distinct characteristics of the part. For instance, you can describe the capacitance of a capacitor. On the other hand, the name helps in identifying each component on a schematic.
Copy and paste
The Copy and Paste tools in Eagle function in a different manner. In Eagle, Copy carries out copy and paste functions. Once you copy a part, you will see an exact copy waiting for placement. The Paste is only used for pasting a group that was already copied to the clipboard.
Conclusion
It is very easy to create and start a project in Eagle Schematics. Eagle as a PCB design program offers the best tools for creating your schematics. This process is a very simple one if you follow the right steps.
