On 13/06/11 03:55, William "Chops" Westfield wrote:
> I really like the CLI/GUI duality of Eagle.  And the pricing structure
> is pretty good; it's not JUST that there's a freeware version I can
> use for what I'm doing now, it's also that I can see affording the
> "full" version when and if I need it.

I've got my copy keyed to run mostly from the keyboard. Sure I place=20
tracks with the mouse, but nearly all my final "pre-CAM" (before=20
creating Gerber/NC Drill files) is done from the command line:

STOP toolbar button (abort current command -- is there a keyboard=20
shortcut for this?)
ERC (from the schematic)
RAT (ratsnest -- from the PCB)
DRC

ERC runs a quick Electrical Rules check to make sure you haven't done=20
something silly in your schematic -- like wiring an output to a power=20
rail or shorting two power rails. Be aware of its limitations: it won't=20
stop you wiring VCC to GND via a zero-Ohm resistor (for example). You'd=20
have to be pretty drunk to make that mistake, though...

RAT is the one to remember (run it early and often!). If you see=20
"Ratsnest complete, N airwires" (where N > 0) instead of "Ratsnest=20
complete, nothing to do!" then you have an open track somewhere. It's=20
REALLY good at spotting isolated sections of ground plane, e.g. where=20
the track/space DRC has been changed and caused the tracking between=20
planes to be removed to satisfy design rules.

DRC makes it harder for you to do Silly Things Your PCB Fab Won't Like.=20
For example: track/spacing and restring violations. You can still screw=20
up (usually by Approving valid DRC errors) but DRC makes it harder.

Finally, an old-fashioned design review is your best friend -- pass the=20
CAD files to another EE and ask them to look for any stupid mistakes.=20
Most mistakes are shallow when observed with a second set of eyes :)

> It also helps a lot that there is (has been) visible development/
> improvement over the years, and that there is a large and helpful
> support community.

Oh hell yes. EAGLE has changed a hell of a lot since the bad-old days of=20
V3.55...

--=20
Phil.
piclist@philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/
--=20
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