- Download the windows installer from https://github.com/NicholasBerryman/PCBDraw/raw/master/Launcher/bundles/PCBDrawLauncher-1.0.exe
- Once it has downloaded, run the installer and follow the instructions it gives.
- After the installer has finished, the program should open automatically. You may run it in the future by opening Nick Berryman->PCBDrawLauncher from the start menu.
- Ensure Java is installed (download and install from https://www.java.com/en/download/)
- Once Java is installed, download PCBDraw from https://github.com/NicholasBerryman/PCBDraw/raw/master/Launcher/PCBDrawLauncher.jar
- Once it has downloaded, move it somewhere you won't lose it (e.g your Desktop) and run it normally
When the program launches, after updating, the following screen should appear:
On this screen are four important sections:
- The File Menu (top left)
- The Edit Menu (beside the File Menu)
- The Workspace (right)
- The Context Bar (Left)
The File menu has four options:
- New clears the workspace and sets it up for a new circuit board
- You will be prompted to save your current circuit board if you haven't done so yet
- Save allows you to save the circuit board somewhere on your computer
- Save As allows you to change where you want to save the circuit board
- Open allows you to open a circuit board that you have previously saved. The circuit board must have been created in PCBDraw. No other PCB file formats are accepted
- '.GCode' files cannot be opened or edited this way, only '.GCB' files created using the Save and Save As option above
Keyboard shortcuts are displayed beside each menu option
The Edit menu has five options:
- Undo undoes the previous action
- Redo redoes the last undone action
- Cut removes the selected traces and gets them ready to be pasted
- Copy copies the selected traces and gets them ready to be pasted
- Paste pastes the last traces to be copied/pasted into the workspace
Keyboard shortcuts are displayed beside each menu option
The Context Panel has three tabs:
- Board deals with the view of the workspace and size of the circuit board
- Tools lets you select the tools for drawing the circuit board
- Export lets you create a '.GCODE' file for use by a CNC router (e.g Carvey) for cutting you circuit board
The board tab is displayed in the previous image
- Board Width and Board Height allow you to change the dimensions of your circuit board (mm)
- Zoom allows you to zoom in and out of the circuit board
- Square Size lets you choose the the size of your grid (mm)
- Circuit board features can only be placed on grid points, so if your circuit board needs lots of very fine features, try a smaller grid size
- Using Carvey enables the smartclamp in the workspace, preventing you from making a circuit board that the Carvey cannot carve
- If you are not using a Carvey, feel free to un-tick this box
Any of these features can be changed at any point without disrupting any circuit board features you have already created.
- Select the Path option to draw circuit traces (lines) on the workspace
- Select the Hole option to draw component holes on the workspace
- Select the Select option to select anything you have already drawn in the workspace (when you want to move or delete it).
- Click the Move button when you want to move everything you have selected within the workspace
- Click the Delete button when you want to delete everything you have selected
These options are explored in greater detail in the Workspace section below
This tab sets the options for carving the board and can cause problems if set up wrong. Use the default values unless something has gone wrong or you really know what you are doing
- The Z-Down option sets the cutting depth for the circuit board. Make this more negative if the cut is too shallow, make it less negative if the cut is too deep.
- The Drill Down option sets the drilling depth. If you want to only drill pilot holes, set it to some value less then the thickness of your board (as a negative number). If you want to drill the whole way through the board, set it the the thickness of your board (as a negative number).
- If drilling through the whole board, please ensure you have placed something below it so the Router does not drill into itself
- The Z-Up option sets the height of the drill as it moves between cuts. Ensure this is high enough that it won't hit anything. The default value is almost always best.
- The Path Width determines how wide the traces on the board should be. Reduce this value if traces join up where they shouldn't, increase this value if the circuit should carry large currents.
- If the Path Width is set too high, then Paths and Holes that are too close to each-other may overlap and cause shorts. If this is happening then either reduce this value, or move the overlapping features further apart.
Click the Export button and choose a location to export the file to when you are ready to carve your board.
The grid here represents the circuit board.
- The size of the workspace may be changed using the Height and Width options in the Board Tab of the Context Menu
- The size of the grid squares may be changed using the Square Size option in the Board Tab of the Context Menu
- The black L-Shape in the above image represents the smartclamp of the Carvey. This may be enabled or disabled with the Using Carvey option in the Board Tab of the Context Menu
- To draw a line trace:
- Select the Path tool from the Tools Tab of the Context Menu.
- Click the start point of the line trace on the grid (Not click-and-drag).
- Click the end point of the line trace on the grid (Not click-and-drag).
- When Exporting, if the Path Width is too high and they are close enough to each other, then Paths that should be separate may overlap . If this is happening to you, either reduce your Path Width or move the Paths away from each other.
- To draw a component hole:
- Select the Hole tool from the Tools Tab of the Context Menu.
- Click the point on the grid where you want the hole.
- When Exporting if the Path Width is too high and they are close enough to each other then Holes that should be separate may overlap. If this is happening to you, either reduce your Path Width or move the Paths away from each other.
- Holes placed side-by-side or on top of each other should automatically be isolated, though they may still overlap both Paths and other Holes placed diagonally from them.
- To select items you have drawn on the workspace:
- Select the Select tool from the Tools Tab of the Context Menu.
- Click the a point near the items you want to select (Not click-and-drag).
- Click another point such that the green rectangle surrounds everything you want to select (Not click-and-drag).
- To Select a line, ensure that either the start point or the end point of the line is within the green rectangle
- The selected items should turn blue
- To move items you have drawn on the workspace:
- Using the Select tool, select the items you want to move.
- Click the Move button from the Tools Tab of the Context Menu.
- Click a point in the workspace where you want to move it to (Not click-and-drag).
- The selected items will be treated as if they are in a large rectangle when moving. The top left point of that rectangle will be the point that you click to move them to.
- To delete items you have drawn on the workspace:
- Using the Select tool, select the items you want to move.
- Click the Delete button from the Tools Tab of the Context Menu.
- If you make a mistake and delete the wrong thing, make sure to Undo by pressing Crtl+Z or selecting it from the menu with Edit->Undo
Once you are done with your circuit board remember to save the board and export it for carving
Once you have exported your completed circuit board, you will receive a gcode file that you can use to carve it. If you are using the Carvey, this must be done with the Inventables Easel website http://easel.inventables.com.
- Go to the Inventables Easel website http://easel.inventables.com.
- Sign in with your accound credentials (Create an account if you have not already).
- Create a New Project.
- Rename the project by clicking the title in the top left of the web page.
- Select your machine with Machine->Carvey
- Import the circuit board with File->Import g-code->browse
- Select the gcode file that you exported the completed circuit board to.
- Ensure the Carvey is turned on and connected
- Also check that the blank PCB is properly secured and the correct carving bit is in place
- Click the Carve button on the top right and follow the instructions it shows.
- Wait for the board to be carved.
This page will be updated with examples and templates as I make them. Each example has both '.gcb' file and a '.gcode' file. You can open the .gcb file in PCBDraw to view and edit it, and you can open the .gcode file in Easel (See above), to test it with your Carvey (Or other CNC Router). Make sure to download each link using Right Click->Save link as. Here is the current list:
- Mini ROV Circuit for Subs-In-Schools
- Something went wrong! What do I do?
- If you are unsure about anything and need help, please contact me at: [email protected]. Please include PCBDraw - Help in the subject line.
- There's a cool feature that I want to use but it doesn't look like your program supports it?
- Currently the program is fairly minimal, having mostly been made in a single weekend. If there are any new features that you feel would be very useful/important then please contact me at: [email protected]. Please include PCBDraw - Suggestion in the subject line. I'll do my best, but can't make any guarantees about whether any specific feature will be added or how long it will take.