Can I force Eagle to do single-sided PCB

Question

I'm new to Eagle (Freeware Licence) and am doing the exercises to gain some competence with it. Slow going thouh, finding parts is a nightmare for me.

Suppliers don't use siilar numbers et.

Anyway, that is not my question.

Most of my exercises result in 2 layer PCB. Can I forc a single ;ayer PCB. I want to make my own PCBs

Thanks

autodeskguest · Accepted Answer

On 18/03/14 19:43, Arthur Rodman wrote:

Hi, and thanks for the response. Reading what you've written it seems
that I can't do a single sided board really,

Yes, you can. I have done, often, and we use Eagle to design the

single-sided boards for young people to etch on an SU holiday I help on.

If I use the top copper layer to represent the link wires then it's
double layer after all.

No, because you don't need to etch the top layer. What I'm suggesting is

that, as you lay out your circuit, you will undoubtedly hit a point

where you just can't route a signal and you need to put in a link wire.

Since that link wire exists only for routing purposes and is not part of

the circuit, you don't really want the hassle of adding a

pseudo-component. Instead, what you do is "route it on the top", making

sure you avoid components and use a straight track if possible. Then

when you come to etching, you ignore the top layer entirely and just

etch the bottom. When you have drilled the board and are ready to

populate, show the top layer again as your "wire links population guide".

I do wish to etch my own etching (nothing grand I hasten to say) and was
thinking of using the toner transfer approach

I've not tried toner transfer. If home-etching I use a transparency and

UV exposure box. However, the design approach is the same.

Either way, thanks a lot for your input.

You're welcome.

autodeskguest · Answer

On 17/03/14 12:53, Arthur Rodman wrote:

Most of my exercises result in 2 layer PCB. Can I forc a single ;ayer
PCB. I want to make my own PCBs

The best way to design a single-sided PCB is not using the autorouter.

There is a tutorial (and example in the base install) for how to

"encourage" the autorouter to avoid the top layer, but you'll find it

struggles. Better to route it yourself and just not use the top.

Of course, if you're doing your own etching, you can always use the top

copper layer to represent the half-dozen link wires you just can't avoid

with a single-sided board

faceter · Answer

Hi, and thanks for the response. Reading what you've written it seems that I can't do a single sided board really,

If I use the top copper layer to represent the link wires then it's double layer after all.

I do wish to etch my own etching (nothing grand I hasten to say) and was thinking of using the toner transfer approach

hence single-sided. If I have to utilise both sides of the board then I'm not so sure about toner transfer.

Either way, thanks a lot for your input.

Former Member · Answer

when you click on autorouter option the menu pops up just change top to na and voila you will have single sided routes