Homebrew PCBs

Belive it or not, I already wasted hours searching the answer.
I've tried Eagle and EasyPCB software, and some other freeware programs.
I'm trying to create a simple PCB with a TSOP and DIP devices. Eagle
is quite difficult to use. I can't manage to wire the TSOP device. 

I want to do something like this.
http://nintendoallstars.w.interia.pl/romlab/tsop2snes.png

Is there any program to create PCBs, and easily export them ready to
print, with white background and black traces??

Thank you.

On Sun, 28 Aug 2005 17:57:34 +0200, patroclus04 <patroclus04@...>  
wrote:

> Belive it or not, I already wasted hours searching the answer.
> I've tried Eagle and EasyPCB software, and some other freeware programs.
> I'm trying to create a simple PCB with a TSOP and DIP devices. Eagle
> is quite difficult to use. I can't manage to wire the TSOP device.
> I want to do something like this.
> http://nintendoallstars.w.interia.pl/romlab/tsop2snes.png
> Is there any program to create PCBs, and easily export them ready to
> print, with white background and black traces??
> Thank you.
>


I use target

<http://www.ibfriedrich.de/>

The freeware version is probably enough for your needs.
The English translation isn't too good but it's ok.

To print you simply use a print dialog like any windows software, or  
export to tiff.

Eagle can be pretty frustrating...

ST

I manage to do what I want, but when I export to TIFF image, I cannot
export ONLY the wires and tracks. I do not want to see the Integrated
circuits. How can I do this??

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan"
<stefan_trethan@g...> wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Aug 2005 17:57:34 +0200, patroclus04 <patroclus04@y...>  
> wrote:
> 
> > Belive it or not, I already wasted hours searching the answer.
> > I've tried Eagle and EasyPCB software, and some other freeware
programs.

> > I'm trying to create a simple PCB with a TSOP and DIP devices. Eagle
> > is quite difficult to use. I can't manage to wire the TSOP device.
> > I want to do something like this.
> > http://nintendoallstars.w.interia.pl/romlab/tsop2snes.png
> > Is there any program to create PCBs, and easily export them ready to
> > print, with white background and black traces??
> > Thank you.
> >
> 
> 
> I use target
> 
> <http://www.ibfriedrich.de/>
> 
> The freeware version is probably enough for your needs.
> The English translation isn't too good but it's ok.
> 
> To print you simply use a print dialog like any windows software, or  
> export to tiff.
> 
> Eagle can be pretty frustrating...
> 
> ST

On Sun, 28 Aug 2005 20:31:28 +0200, patroclus04 <patroclus04@...>  
wrote:

> I manage to do what I want, but when I export to TIFF image, I cannot
> export ONLY the wires and tracks. I do not want to see the Integrated
> circuits. How can I do this??


you first switch off the layers which contain the unwanted elements, or  
better switch all off and only the ones on that you want.
In target you click the layers icon (clored layers) and then you can click  
on the right bottom a button that will send the layer options to your  
working window as toolbox. (you can also show/hide layers via this screen  
but it is nicer to see the results instantly).
To toggle visibility just click the colored box for the layer, and move  
your mouse out of the toolbox to activate the changes.

For a normal print i would select for example copper bottom or top, and  
board outline (usually 23). You do not need to select the holes if you  
don't want to, as there is a option in the print dialog to show center  
holes for manual drilling.
select "hard black and white" or whatever it is translated into to make  
sure the colors print full black for a film.


If you do this often, you will create layer sets, so you can simply click  
a button and get the film for copper bottom or top or cmponent legend etc..


ST

Hi patroclus04,

Sunday, August 28, 2005, 10:57:34 AM, you wrote:

> Belive it or not, I already wasted hours searching the answer.
> I've tried Eagle and EasyPCB software, and some other freeware programs.
> I'm trying to create a simple PCB with a TSOP and DIP devices. Eagle
> is quite difficult to use. I can't manage to wire the TSOP device. 

> I want to do something like this.
> http://nintendoallstars.w.interia.pl/romlab/tsop2snes.png

> Is there any program to create PCBs, and easily export them ready to
> print, with white background and black traces??

> Thank you.

You might try TinyCAD to draw the schematic, FreePCB to create the PCB, and a
freeware Gerber viewer to print it. I like these programs but have only done one
board with them and am just a satisfied user.

 --
 Patrick Murphy

I've had good luck using ExpressPCB for my through the hole small 
PCBs. Export the ExpressPCB layout as a mechanical drawing bitmap, 
to MS Paint and put in the holes. (Export step for some reason fills 
in the holes). Then use a graphics program (Adobe, HP Photo 
Director, Etc.) that can proprotionatly reduce the image to your 
exact dimentions and print the master. I use the toner transfer 
process with good results.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Patrick Murphy <luke631@m...> 
wrote:
> Hi patroclus04,
> 
> Sunday, August 28, 2005, 10:57:34 AM, you wrote:
> 
> > Belive it or not, I already wasted hours searching the answer.
> > I've tried Eagle and EasyPCB software, and some other freeware 
programs.
> > I'm trying to create a simple PCB with a TSOP and DIP devices. 
Eagle
> > is quite difficult to use. I can't manage to wire the TSOP 
device. 
> 
> > I want to do something like this.
> > http://nintendoallstars.w.interia.pl/romlab/tsop2snes.png
> 
> > Is there any program to create PCBs, and easily export them 
ready to
> > print, with white background and black traces??
> 
> > Thank you.
> 
> You might try TinyCAD to draw the schematic, FreePCB to create the 
PCB, and a
> freeware Gerber viewer to print it. I like these programs but have 
only done one

> board with them and am just a satisfied user.
> 
>  --
>  Patrick Murphy