Introduction
1 Starting Easy Pc
Click on the Easy-PC shortcut on the desktop or using the windows start button
follow the menu below.
2 Loading a design
Click on the [file] [open] button on the tool bar. An Open dialog box will appear. The
examples folder can be found at C:\Program Files\Number One Systems\EasyPC\Examples.
Double click ‘Div.sch’. A new SCM (Schematic) window will open.
3 Metric and Imperial
To convert the units from imperial to metric and visa versa, using the menu click
settings and then Units.
The following window will open and metric or imperial chosen as required. The
precision relates to how accurately components will be placed on the PCB. A value of
2 indicated an accuracy of 0.01mm.
Introduction
4 Preview Bar
The preview bar is an additional toolbar provided to
accommodate interface features for the world view
display and the component bin.
It can be toggled on and off using the Preview Bar
option on the View menu. When switched on it
allows the world view option to be used and the
component bin to be viewed and used. The Preview
bar contains information for the design displayed in
the currently active view and is only displayed when
it is relevant to the active design, e.g. if it is a PCB or
SCM design, or technology.
Also, like other toolbars, it may either be 'docked' or
'floating'. When docked it may be fixed to either the
left or right hand edges of the Easy-PC window.
When floating, it appears in its own window and will
always appear on top of the Easy-PC window. To
move the Preview bar click on one of its borders, or
if it is floating, on it its title bar and drag it to the
desired location. If you drag it to the edge of the
Easy-PC window it will automatically dock. To stop
the Preview bar from docking hold down the <Ctrl>
key while dragging. It is also possible to toggle
between docked and floating modes by <doubleclicking> on its border or title bar.
Moving down the page, the three windows are:
World View, Component Bin Preview, and
Component Bin.
Introduction
5 Zooming
5.1 Zoom
To Zoom in, use the [View] [Zoom] command. When using the menu Zoom
command, the design will be zoomed at the centre position of the screen regardless of
where the design is. You can also use the Z key on the keyboard as a shortcut.
The Zoom feature is also available on the mouse wheel if fitted. To Zoom in, roll the
mouse wheel forwards.
5.2 Unzoom
To Zoom out (called Unzoom) use the [View] [Unzoom] command. Remember that
the design will unzoom to the cursor position. You can also use the U key on the
keyboard as a shortcut.
The Zoom feature is also available on the mouse wheel if fitted. To Unzoom (Zoom
out), roll the mouse wheel backwards.
5.3 Shortcut Keys For Zoom and Unzoom
1 to 9, and 0 - Set zoom levels. 1 has the greatest magnification, halving until 0 is
reached.
5.4 Frame
You are provided with Frame to selectively zoom around the design to specific areas.
Frame will allow you to click and drag a box around items within the design and for
the option to fill the screen with the selection. A note to mention here is that quite
often you will drag a box on the design and get a selection but no zoom, this will be
because you have not selected the Frame function first!!
5.5 View All
The [View All] option is available on the [View] menu and also on the toolbar. View
All allows you to display everything in the design fitting it to the design area of EasyPC For Windows. This includes anything outside the board outline or even outside the
drawing sheet if placed outside. View All takes the maximum extents of everything
added to the design.
6 Status Bar
As the cursor moves around the active drawing area (within the square border), that
the co-ordinate display at the bottom of the window changes. If you move the cursor
Introduction
from one side of the border to the opposite, you will see the co-ordinates go from
000.00 to 1000.00 (with metric units set). This represents the largest board that EasyPC can handle:- 1 Meter square.
The status bar at the bottom of the screen shows more than just the X Y co-ordinates,
it provides instant information about any selected item(s). This information is the
most commonly required information during use, more detailed information is also
available if the item is selected and the Properties menu clicked using the right hand
mouse key.
7 Working Area
The edit box allows the maximum working area to be defined in the current units. The
smaller the chosen working area, the greater the available magnification and screen
resolution. Selecting Best Fit automatically moves the current design near to the
bottom left hand corner of the working area and shrinks the working area to give the
best resolution. Note: If you use this function, you will not be able to Undo any
changes made beforehand.
Introduction
8 Absolute and relative coordinates
The relative co-ordinates system has the ability to set the relative co-ordinate by
typing in a set of X Y values, by using the hotkey ‘O’ and by using the mouse to get
precise movement.
During the use of Absolute co-ordinates, if an item is moved and the 'O' key pressed,
the Relative Co-ordinates systems starts to operate and the Use Relative Coordinates
box is checked. The X Y co-ordinates display on the status line are also reset to zero
(0,0) to show the reset.
Creating Schematics
9 Introduction
We have learned most of the functions needed to draw a Schematic or PCB. There are
some minor differences between Schematics and PCBs. Schematic components are
connected together by connection lines, rather than tracks. There are no equivalents to
Pads in schematics. Tracks are physical connections made in copper and connections
are logical connections between items.
10 New Schematic
To open a new schematic from the file menu [File] [New] [Schematic Design]
As can be seen, a technology file ‘Default.stf’ has already been selected. This
describes the manufacturing process for the final product. Default.stf describes a
double-sided through-hole plated design.
Creating Schematics
11 Adding Components
Using [Add], [Component] from the menu or the toolbar button, select 74LS93 and
place it on the screen.
Following this add the 74LS154 component. Notice the component name has
incremented to U2 automatically. Your display should look like the following.
Creating Schematics
12 Editing components
A component may be selected by clicking on any part of the outline or pads. If a
placement reference or any pin names or numbers are inadvertently selected, an
attempt to drag the component will just move the text instead. If this is a problem, use
<Shift> click to select the whole item. Moving is simply a matter of dragging and
dropping. Snap modes are adhered to. To rotate the component, either right click and
select [Rotate], or use the quick key <R>. The same rotation options as when adding a
component are offered. [Flip] also acts the same way as when adding.
There are several new menu entries when right clicking in edit mode, these are:
[Deselect]
This releases the selected component.
[Place]
This makes the selected component mobile under the cursor. It avoids
the need to hold down the left mouse button when dragging.
[Duplicate] This creates another component, identical to the first, except for the
placement reference index number.
[Update Component] This is an important feature. It allows the copy of a component
internal to the design to be overwritten by a different copy from the currently active
library.
Creating Schematics
[Nets]
(PCB designs only) This accesses two net utilities useful at a
component level. See below.
[Delete]
Deletes the selected component.
[Properties] Accesses the component properties. These are mostly self explanatory,
but most aspects of a component’s behaviour can be changed from here.
[Values]
A shortcut route to modifying the values associated with a component.
12.1 Updating Components
A copy of every component used in a design is kept internally as part of the design.
This has many advantages, not least that the design becomes independent of any
changes to the source library. This very stability can become a problem when a
component needs to be changed. The update component function is provided to force
a new definition into a design. This intelligently links to the same connections as the
previous component.
12.2 Nets Associated with Components
In a practical design components are linked by nets (which may exist as tracks). The
[Net] entry accesses two functions; [Optimise Nets] and [Unroute Nets]. [Optimise
Nets] only operates on unrouted connections. It will not affect tracks. Any nets
associated with the selected component will be rerouted so as to give the minimum
total connection length possible. On the other hand, [Unroute Nets] returns any routed
tracks linked to the component to unrouted connections. This affects the whole net,
not just the part immediately associated with the component.
12.3 Component Values
The values associated with a component have a variety of uses. Firstly, they can
obviously be used to associate a supplementary label with the placement reference. As
this is most commonly a value, it gives the function its name. Secondly, when a
design is being passed to one of ‘Number One Systems’ simulation programs, a
mechanism is needed to pass any relevant parameters across, and thirdly, it provides a
convenient way of specifying entries for export to parts lists, etc.
A value entry always splits into three parts. Firstly there is a check box to determine
whether the value should appear in the design (under the placement reference).
Secondly there is a header. This is the descriptive label to identify the data which
follows. For instance, “R:” would indicate a resistor value. The same device may have
a second label “C:” in another entry identifying the stray capacitance. The label
always ends with a colon. The third part is the value itself. Its form is dictated by the
requirements of the application using it. It is customarily an integer string, possibly
with an exponential multiplier, or a multiplier code letter. (T,G,M,K,m,u,n,p,f).
Creating Schematics
13 Adding Connections
13.1 Joining two component terminals with a connection
To make connections between two component terminals in a schematic click on the
[Add / Connection] button.
Click the left mouse button on the first component connection point, then move the
cursor to take the connection over to the second and subsequent component
connection points. Connections are made on the components and corners can be fixed
on the way by clicking the left mouse button. On arrival at the final connection point
double click the left mouse button on the component terminal and the connection will
end and release the cursor. A little practice will soon give you the idea. Connect up
your components until they are like the diagram below.
13.2 Giving a connection a Net Name and Net Class
The connection can be given a Net Name by selecting any point on the connection
(Click on the Select button then click the left mouse button on the required
connection. This will cause the section of the connection to be highlighted. Click on
the Properties button to bring up the Properties - Connection dialog. Under the Net tab
you can select from any of the existing Net Names or add a new one for this
connection. ( You can also choose [Change Net] see below) If you use a Net Name
that has already been used in the design, then these nets will automatically be joined
when you translate to PCB. You can also select a Net Class - this is used by the PCB
section of the program to define track widths and clearances, etc.
Creating Schematics
Change the connection net names to QA, QB, QC and QD. If you right click on the
connection and click the [display net names] option the name will be displayed on the
schematic.
13.3 Adjusting the route or position of connections
Any connection line can be moved simply by switching to [Select] mode then clicking
and dragging the connection line to the required position. All of the angles will adjust
automatically. Remember that click and drag means press the left mouse button then,
while still holding it down, move the mouse to get the require position, then release
the mouse button. Click and drag on a corner of a connection, moves the corner and
the connections going to it.
In [Select] mode additional corners can be added into a straight connection by double
clicking any where on the connection and moving the mouse and hence the resultant
new line to the required position.
Unwanted “staircases” can be removed simply by dragging a step to be in line with
another. – When two elements of a connection are perfectly aligned they combine and
become a single element. Unwanted stubs can be removed simply by clicking and
dragging the end back over itself.
13.4 Joining a component terminal to a connection (Tjunctions)
Select the [Add Connection] button then single click on the component terminal and
move the cursor to the required connection line. Double click to make the connection
and accept the name of the net being joined to in the Join Nets dialog.
13.5 Joining a connection in mid-segment to a component
terminal (T-junctions)
Select the [ Add Connection] button then single click on the connection segment, then
move the cursor to take the connection over to the component connection point. If the
initial angle of the line is along the existing connection – hitting the “F” key will FLIP
the angle to be at right angles. Corners can be fixed on the way by clicking the left
Creating Schematics
mouse button.. On arrival, double click on the component terminal and the connection
will end and release the cursor.
Note that the connection will have picked up the Name, Net Style and Net Class
information from the initial connection.
13.6 Changing the width of Schematic connections
To change this globally in a schematic change the style. Use [Settings / Styles /
Connections]. To change it locally, select the connection required then use RHM key
[Style] to select a different style or to add a new one.
14 Complete the schematic
Complete the schematic so it looks exactly like the one below. Save it as
Puldemox.sch The connector on the right is a “D25F” type from the Discrete library
and the connector on the left is a “5WP” from the Conn_std library. The names to the
right of the pins are the Net Names corresponding to the Net connected to each pin.
Creating Schematics
Creating Schematics
15 Power and Ground symbols in Schematics
Power and Ground, unless specifically shown are implied. This means that terminals
which require power connections can be named with a nominated power name (Using
the Add to Net from the right hand mouse menu) and all nets of that name will be
connected together during Translate to PCB.
However, where there is a requirement to show power connections a symbol can be
used. The symbol has no electrical significance and is not translated to PCB, it is
purely there as cosmetic for a representation on the final schematic drawing. The
importance in the symbol will be the Net Name used in the terminal of the symbol or
the net attached to it.
The default libraries contain a selection of basic power and ground symbols as well as
generic symbols which can be copied and adopted for other power symbol
representations.
16 Net Classes
You should create the main net classes for each of the main connection types / track
widths that you are going to use in your design. These can be added to at any stage of
the design process, but a minimum of Power and Signal, i.e. fat and thin as far as PCB
tracks are concerned, would be a good starting point.
Select [Settings] [Net classes] and add what will be your most used class for all
normal connections in your final PCB - Give it a name, say, 'Normal', and ensure that
it is of type 'Signal'. Press [OK]. (Two net classes are already set up called Signal and
Power).
Now in the same way add a net class called 'Power' and make it of type 'Power'. The
track styles (sizes) linked to any nets using these net classes in the PCB design will be
set in the PCB technology file.
Other net classes could be added as required, for example Data, High Voltage, 50
Ohm, 75 Ohm,
Clock, Mains etc.,
wherever different
dimensions would
be required in the
final PCB.
Finally press [OK]
to complete the
net class
definitions and
save the file.
Creating Schematics
Change the Net Class of each connection on your schematic Puldemox.sch so that the
relevant lines are signal and the Vcc and GND are power.
17 Transferring Schematics into Layouts
When the [Tools] [Translate to PCB] tool is selected, Easy-PC will automatically
cross reference the Schematic symbols to PCB symbols and will resolve the correct
pin numbers for all the component pin names. This process automatically collates the
netlist and resolves associated nets to create the netlist.
The mechanism for translating to PCB will include a request for the [Name] of the
PCB [Technology File] to be used. The file chosen here will contain your design
requirements matching the type of design being generated e.g. SMT, double sided,
single sided etc. The [PCB Design] filename can be changed as required but the
default name should be the same as the Schematic.
The check box to enable Components to be added to the Component Bin can be
selected. The alternative is to allow the components to be added directly to the design.
These would be positioned in a stack somewhere near the bottom left hand corner of
the design.
A report is generated if there are any problems with the translation. This includes
details of any connections made to only one terminal of a device and any component
for which a PCB symbol could not be found. The latter would be fatal and would need
to be corrected.
Any problems reported following translation should be sorted out depending upon the
severity.
It is best to sort out any problems and re-translate, as it is less work to correct errors
now.
A PCB design window will automatically appear in the main application window with
four components in the component bin. In the Bin will appear, the 14 pin and 24 pin
DILs and the D-type connector with the corresponding references, “U1", ”U2", "PL1"
and “CONN1". Each connection that you made on the Schematic is also represented
by a connection in the Layout joining the appropriate component pins and is generally
known as a 'Rat's Nest'. This connectivity still remains but is not shown until the
components are moved out of the Bin and into the design. This happens
automatically.
In Easy-PC these thin white lines are called "unrouted Connections" and they can be
displayed or hidden at any time through the [Display] option on the [View] menu.
Creating Schematics