Hi Everyone,
On a request from a university professor I thought it would be good to
make a short document giving the new user some tips to avoid common
pitfalls as well as some orientation on what libraries contain what and
some useful ULPs.
Below I have included the text of the document don't mind the
formatting but focus on the text. I'm looking for feedback anything I
should add, anything you think would be helpful, etc. I'm looking for
any and all feedback once this is done I will post it to the
documentation section of the site.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Jorge Garcia
Cadsoft Support
EAGLE New User Cheat Sheet
Key things every new user should know:
1. Keep the schematic editor and board editor open together at all
times when your working on your design. Closing one editor and
continuing to work on the other will break consistency and changes made
will no longer track between editors.
2. Don't deviate from a 0.1”(2.54mm) grid in the schematic editor. All
of the default EAGLE libraries are made to a 0.1” grid in the schematic
editor. If you deviate from this you will find that you have a very
difficult time getting your components to connect.
3. Don't use WIRE for anything other than artistic features.
Connections in the schematic are defined using the NET command and
copper tracks are laid down using the ROUTE command in the layout. If
you use wire for either of the above key operations you will find that
sometimes components won't connect as expected.
4. EAGLE's search functionality is an exact string search
which means if you're off by a single letter in a part number EAGLE
won't be able to find it. A more prudent approach is to make liberal
use of the wild card character(*). For example don't search for
LM555(you'll get nothing) search instead for 555 this tells EAGLE
that if 555 shows up any where in the device name this is a valid
result.
5. EAGLE uses a verb-noun work flow. What this means is that
you first select what action you want to perform and then what objects
you want to perform that action on. It may seem odd at first but once
you're used to it you'll find that it's a faster way to work.
6. Do not modify EAGLE's default libraries, these are a known state.
The best approach is to make your own library and then copy whatever
you need from the default libraries to it.
7. Make sure you know where you are saving your work. Do not save
anything to EAGLE installation directory, it is recommended that you
save your work in the eagle folder EAGLE creates in Documents(on
windows, on Linux or Mac this folder is created in your home directory)
8. The EAGLE manual is included with your
installation, you'll find it in the EAGLE installation directory inside
the doc folder.
Useful Libraries
rcl – This library contains all of the passive linear components you
might need resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
Linear – This library contains many of the common IC's you'll come
across when working with electronics such as the LM741 op amp and the
555 timer.
Supply1 and supply2- These libraries contain the various power symbols
you'll need such as GND and VCC symbols. These automatically connect to
all of the instances within a schematic. In other words if you have 20
GND symbols on your schematic they are all automatically connected.
Ref-packages – This is one of the most useful libraries when making
your own parts, most of the common IC footprints are in this library so
you can usually copy a footprint to your personal library and then you
only have to worry about making the symbol and mapping it to the
package.
Frames- contains drawing frames and title blocks for documenting your
schematic, covers most of the common paper sizes.
Pinhead – this is the library that contains 0.1” pitch headers which
are common in many electronic projects.
Useful ULPs
Some of the ULPs listed below are not included with EAGLE, but are up
on our website those are indicated with an *. The ULPs on our website
can be found at www.cadsoftusa.com-> Downloads-> User Language Programs.
bom.ulp – This generates a very basic Bill of Materials. There are many
variations on the theme which can be found up on our website. Of
notable interest are BOM-EX* and bom with attributes*.
EAGLE' UP – Not really a single ULP but a very handy interface between
EAGLE and Google Sketchup. It allows you to create 3D models of your
design. See http://eagleup.wordpress.com/ for more info.
Exp-project-lbr.ulp – This is a very handy ULP which extracts the
libraries from a board/schematic pair. Very useful if you don't have
access to the libraries that were used to create the original design.
Explode.ulp* - Handy ULP which breaks a symbol or package into its
constituent lines and arcs.
Cam2image.ulp- Handy for those that make their own boards at home using
the toner-transfer method. Generates high resolution images from the
gerber files.
Import-bmp.ulp – Allows you to import a bitmap image into a board or
schematic. Useful for adding company logos or scope captures to your
designs.
