Library options? And a couple other noob thoughts

[Locrian99]

Just starting to dive into this. Sent my first gerber to jlc last night hoping I dint end up with 5 coasters. Ive been using rullywow and have been able to edit/add some things to suit my wants/needs. But are there any other free libraries out there that work with diptrace? Madbeans is eagle only? Theres some things in rullywow I don’t love and have been able change it up a little, still learning a bit. But other options would be nice to see.



Also for starting out and simpler designs is the auto router ok?

My work flow went layout schem, convert to pcb, place pots/switches, ins/outs/power first. Then do my best to group components by rat lines and how makes sense. Then i just ran the auto router and went for it. Had no errors pop up so i exported it all and ordered the pcbs .

 

[vigilante398]

Autoroute tools are getting better as the technology progresses, but the autoroute is only as good as your design rules. Personally I don't trust it enough to actually use it because it takes more time to set the rules up properly than it does to route the board manually. Default rules typically don't take things into account like separating sensitive signals to avoid crosstalk/instability, routing analog signals near a DC reference for stability/noise, etc. Use of autoroute doesn't seem to be very common in typical pedal designs. If it's simple enough to use autoroute, it's simple enough to easily route it by hand.

There are pedal-specific libraries out there, I always used the rullywow library (I have a link somewhere if you're interested) but I know there are others around.

 

[Harry Klippton]

Sheepylove library or GTFO. I just pretend trace routing is a puzzle game to connect dots without crossing lines and it becomes really fun

 

[Locrian99]

There are pedal-specific libraries out there, I always used the rullywow library (I have a link somewhere if you're interested) but I know there are others around.

I have rullywow already, in fact I think I found it from your post on diystompboxes. I was hoping to check some others out. It works but theres things that I want, that Ive kind of managed to make myself though just wondering if theres something better.

Sheepylove library or GTFO. I just pretend trace routing is a puzzle game to connect dots without crossing lines and it becomes really fun

I think maybe i shouldve tried something a little simpler for my first. Did a muff mids switch and diode switching. Hoping since its not really
High gain and no lfo or clock ticking to worry about nothing should be too sensitive. Ill feel like if it works for my first attempt ill be happy lol

 

[Locrian99]

Sheepylove library or GTFO. I just pretend trace routing is a puzzle game to connect dots without crossing lines and it becomes really fun

As long as the board fits in the desired enclosure, is there any real benefit to a smaller board?

 

[Harry Klippton]

As long as the board fits in the desired enclosure, is there any real benefit to a smaller board?

If you're happy and it works, rock on

 

[finebyfine]

As long as the board fits in the desired enclosure, is there any real benefit to a smaller board?

There might be some storage / organization benefits but for me personally I always prefer as large as can fit in an enclosure comfortably so I can leave more space around potentiometers to make soldering them easier on me. For a 125B I start with 60.96mmx58.42mm and if needed add around the footswitch

 

[Locrian99]

There might be some storage / organization benefits but for me personally I always prefer as large as can fit in an enclosure comfortably so I can leave more space around potentiometers to make soldering them easier on me. For a 125B I start with 60.96mmx58.42mm and if needed add around the footswitch

Thank you. I was actually
Going to measure a caesar board and go with thise dimensions. Guessing this is roughly the same.

 

[finebyfine]

Thank you. I was actually
Going to measure a caesar board and go with thise dimensions. Guessing this is roughly the same.

The caesar is a perfect board to measure for max dimensions. I would imagine the width is pretty close to 60.96mm but the full heights and footswitch gap will be really helpful to know

 

[Locrian99]

Can i do a copper pour of ground for the bottom layer. And then make traces for power and signal in the pour? Sorry if thats a total noob question.

 

[Harry Klippton]

You can do a copper pour on the top and bottom. The pour automatically goes around the traces

 

[finebyfine]

I’ll do the ground pours last so it doesn’t think I’m making an error as I lay out traces. Also make sure to double check that the fill has been updated and nets are all connected before sending off to fab! Learned that one the hard way

 

[Robert]

2.35" is my usual "safe" maximum width.

If I need a side mounted jack to be jammed up flush against the side wall then I'll do 2.375".

 

[Locrian99]

The ground copper pour makes the routing waaaaaay easier wow.

 

[bean]

There was a port of the mbp v3 library to Diptrace a while back and I think some folks have had success with it. I will be releasing v4 this year so I'll see about asking someone to do a new port. I'm just stuck on Eagle for the foreseeable future.

BTW: Try out 4 layer design when you get comfortable. Its a total cakewalk and not much more expensive to manufacture.

 

[Locrian99]

There was a port of the mbp v3 library to Diptrace a while back and I think some folks have had success with it. I will be releasing v4 this year so I'll see about asking someone to do a new port. I'm just stuck on Eagle for the foreseeable future.

BTW: Try out 4 layer design when you get comfortable. Its a total cakewalk and not much more expensive to manufacture.

I think the free version of diptrace is limited to two layers, though I may just upgrade doen the road if i get into it enough. Ive wasted far more on beer and nicotene lol

 

[Nostradoomus]

You need DipTrace Standard to do 4 layers, it's 400 dollars. Might just learn KiCad if I ever go that route

edit:

I just read the fine print...it should work for our purposes.

"Unlimited plane layers (power, ground) for all editions. Perpetual license."

 

[Robert]

Starter and Lite editions are limited to 2 layers.

Non-Profit Standard is $125 with 4 layers / 1000 pins.

Non-Profit - DipTrace

DipTrace offers special discounts for hobbyists who need more capabilities than provided by the DipTrace Freeware, but cannot afford the commercial version. This special license is granted on a non-commercial basis (this means that you don't earn money from using it). Any commercial use of...

diptrace.com

 

[Locrian99]

Starter and Lite editions are limited to 2 layers.

Non-Profit Standard is $125 with 4 layers / 1000 pins.

Non-Profit - DipTrace

DipTrace offers special discounts for hobbyists who need more capabilities than provided by the DipTrace Freeware, but cannot afford the commercial version. This special license is granted on a non-commercial basis (this means that you don't earn money from using it). Any commercial use of...

diptrace.com

Yea the issue there is while im certainly not trying to start a business if i built something and wanted to sell a couple to recoup some cost id be paranoid

 

[bean]

Starter and Lite editions are limited to 2 layers.

Non-Profit Standard is $125 with 4 layers / 1000 pins.

Non-Profit - DipTrace

DipTrace offers special discounts for hobbyists who need more capabilities than provided by the DipTrace Freeware, but cannot afford the commercial version. This special license is granted on a non-commercial basis (this means that you don't earn money from using it). Any commercial use of...

diptrace.com

The reason I don't know any of this is because I'm still using 10 year old software, haha. I'm old.