Eagle Getting Started

(MAS863 F’03)

 

This page provides a brief overview to getting started with Eagle the PCB Layout Editor.  This page goes through a simple schematic layout for a high-pass filter in Eagle. It also contains instructions to layout the corresponding board in Eagle. In addition there are some tips for Eagle users and pointers to some additional resources. It also contains a link to information on the fab class (mas863) assignment for F'03 also with some additional resources.

 

Get Eagle PCB Layout Editor (free version)             PCB Assignment F'03

Let's build a simple high-pass filter!

Components (in libraries):

1 resistor

1 capacitor

1 ground

2 I/O ports

 

Steps

1) Start Eagle

bullet

When you start Eagle the Control Panel should pop up.

 

2) Create New Schematic

bullet

To create a new schematic go to File -> New -> Schematic

 

3) Add a resistor

bullet

Go to the Control Panel. Expand Libraries -> discrete.lbr -> RESUS-5. The library folders are organized by functionality and by manufacturer. Some symbols may be European and some may be US. RESUS-5 is the US symbol for a resistor.

When  RESUS-5 is selected two figures will appear. The figure on the left is how the resistor will look in the schematic view and the figure on the right is how the resistor will look on the board layout.

When selecting a component in a library you may notice one of two symbols next to the name of the part. A parts symbol means that Eagle provides both the schematic and layout for that part. The other symbol is a layout symbol which means that you need to make this component.

bullet

Select ADD then left-click (on mouse) to place the part. Another window may pop up, just select Cancel. Press escape (Esc)  to exit out of the mode.

bullet

Set the name of the resistor by choosing the Name button . Set the value of the resistor to 10k with the Value button .

bullet

To move the part you can select the Move button .

bullet

To rotate the part you can select the Rotate button and click on the object you wish to rotate.

 

4) Add a capacitor

bullet

Go to the Control Panel. Expand Libraries -> discrete.lbr -> CAP-5.

bullet

Then add the capacitor and label it with 0.1uF as in step 3)

 

5) Add Ground

bullet

Go to the Control Panel. Expand Libraries -> supply1.lbr -> GNDA.

bullet

Then add the ground as in step 3)

 

6) Add Input/Output ports

bullet

Go to the Control Panel. Expand Libraries -> solpad.lbr -> LSP11.

bullet

Then add the I/Os as in step 3)

 

7) Connect (wire) the components

bullet

Arrange the components using the move and rotate buttons.

bullet

Here is a image before the circuit is connected

 

 

bullet

To connect the components use the Wire button . Hit the escape key to get out of the wire mode. To create an explicit junction use the Junction button .

bullet

Here is an image of the circuit wired up in the schematic.

 

 

 

Make sure to save your schematic. Now you are ready to layout the board!

 

8) Switch to board mode

bullet

To switch to board mode you must select the Board button . A warning window might pop up saying the board does not exist and then it will ask you to "Create from schematic?". Select Yes.

bullet

A new window should pop up with your circuit on the left and a square on the right. The circuit will not look the exact same as the schematic, but it should be electrically equivalent.

 

9) Place components on board

bullet

Arrange the circuit components on the board how ever you wish. This can be done by using the move button (in board mode) and selecting each component and dragging it to within the board boundaries. You can GROUP COMPONENTS too (see How do I... section below).

 

10) Re-size board

bullet

Re-size the board by using the move button to move the (white) lines on the bounding box. Try to leave the left-most lines alone because they are aligned with the origin. Otherwise, you can shape the board any way you like (or of course you can just cut it out).

bullet

The yellow lines are not actual connections they represent logical connections.

 

 

10) Ratsnet

 

bullet

Select the Ratsnest button to set wires as shortest signal relation between two points. also tells you how many connections have not been routed

 

11) Routing

bullet

Routing by hand: to route components by hand select the Route button . Then follow the yellow line connecting the components you wish to route together. The routing lines will match Eagle's layer color.

bullet

To remove a route select the Ripup button and then select the line segments you wish to remove. To remove all routes select the Ripup button then select the GO button .

bullet

Autoroute:  to have the computer attempt to route for you select the Auto button . Using the menus you can set the costs to give  bias to the layers, vias, etc.

 

12) Design Rule Checking (Drc)

bullet

To setup the width, clearance, etc of your wires and components select the Drc button . Browse through the menus and change the settings to your preferences. Then once you select OK a box called Drc Errors might pop-up showing you where all your design rules have been violated on your board.

 

12) Finished with board

 

bullet

Once you have finished routing your board then you can do a number of things. For example, printing (etching) your board with a Modela.

 

 

 

Where is/are…

 

    Resistors and capacitors?    discrete.lbr

 

    Power and Ground?       supply1.lbr

 

    Input/Output ports (solder pads)?        solpad.lbr

 

How do I...

 

    Add a new library?

bullet

You can place the file.lbr in the lbr directory of Eagle.

bullet

Or if you go to Options-> Directories put the cursor in libraries, and choose browse and locate the file folder with your fab library. now the library is in the control panel. you can have multiple locations for the libraries.

bullet

Or when you are in schematic view, up top there is a library menu option.
Do a library->use
then open the library that you have downloaded. the library should  then be available for you to use. the one caveat is that it won't show
up in the control panel (if somebody can figure out why, please let me know!) -- what you will have to do instead is when in schematic mode,
use the "add" button. that button is located next to the "x" or delete button. when you click on that, you'll see a whole load of libraries,
and one of those libraries should be the fab library. in there should be all the parts you need.

 

    Delete?    

bullet

To delete, click on the (X-button) Delete button then click on the object you want to delete.

 

    Group Objects?    

bullet

To group, Edit -> Group then create a window around the objects you wish to group. To move (or any other option)  the group select the Move Button and right-click the group you wish to move. Then move it.

 

    Save an Image of my board?

bullet

In board mode go to File ->Export->Image. Then you can specify the resolution, the image file type, and where to save the file.

 

    Create a new part (and my own library)

bullet

File->New->Library
Right click part to add to library (a part similar to the part you want to make) and click copy to library

To rename, click library->rename and type in the old name of the part and press enter.Then type in the new name of the part and press enter.

to check the newly added part and change pin definitions, double click the text under package with the green check mark next to it. Then disconnect and reconnect pins accordingly.
 

 

Additional Resources

Cadsoft Eagle Tutorial & Manual

 

 

 

Modeling/Simulation Tools

Ngspice (interacts directly with Eagle)


edit