Eagle Video Tutorials BLF Style

Hi all,

I get requests to make boards all the time, and while I don't mind doing it (in fact for the most part I enjoy it), I figured some people around here are only asking for others to do it because they are either too scared to try, or can't find anything really specific enough to be self taught. That being said, I am self taught...

Anywho - below are 5 videos (and an amendment ) I made detailing the process of creating an LED driver using Eagle. It's not the be-all and end-all. In fact it was done in one take each time and as a result they are not brilliant. I'm also not claiming to say my way is the only way or even the best way. It's just how I do things. Like I said earlier, I'm self taught. I learnt most of what I do by trial and error. Lots of error. Things I do could probably be improved on. I'm open to feedback and alternate methods being posted here. Just keep it all on topic (no discussing other CAD programs for example). We don't want to confuse people.

Part 1: How to get Eagle, and where to find existing library components.

Part 2: How to create your own parts library.

I didn't realize at the time (because I was rushing) but there is a minor cock-up here that could have lead to major issues in Part 3. The process IS CORRECT. A short video showing what I did and how I fixed it is below.

Amendment to Part 2.

Part 3A: How to create a simple 7135 based LED driver schematic.

Part 3B: How to create a simple 7135 based PCB.

Part 4: Create Gerber files for manufacturing.

Part 5: Quick Tips and Tricks.

If anyone would like me to describe a process in detail with another video, or provide a written explanation to anything in the videos above just let me know.

- Matt

This is why I love BLF.

:beer:

Awesome!

I see you ran into oshpark’s upload bug in part 4. I mentioned it in the oshpark projects thread but of course its easy to get lost with over 700 posts there.

The “Continue” button will be grayed out but no actual upload error is given. Re-uploading doesn’t usually help, instead a hard refresh (Shift+F5) should work fine. If not, they say logging out and back in will also fix it. Oshpark is still working out the bug.

Already had eagle loaded and now you’ve got me eager to try again. This time with something a bit more my speed. Thanks Matt!

Nice sneak peek at the knucklehead. Kudos to you and wight for keeping that one rolling.

Wow. I've just been to the movies and watched a heap of short films. It was a bit like watching SBS on a Saturday night. I dont understand most of it but watch anyway.

Matt you have gone to extraordinary lengths to show 100% of the members here what goes into designing a driver of which 99% more than likely wont attempt, me included. I thank you for taking the time to show us all basically whats involved and how to go about it and can only wonder how many weeks you have spent learning and executing your hobby here and other places. I can gladly say that there is a few words that we share whether it is designing drivers or making something in the shed. Those I did understand.

I dip me hat to you sir. Thanks.

Ah! I knew someone had mentioned this but I could not remember what the fix was. Thanks, I'll keep it in mind next time it stuffs me around.

Haha, except it's not in French or Spanish. Just plain old bogan Australian!

Things are easier to pick up and learn if they are a hobby you enjoy doing. It all gets a bit overwhelming at times and in those situations I need to step back and take a break. Most of the time though, it's fun :)

All videos added

Part 3B: How to create a simple 7135 based PCB shows private :frowning:

Seems I have two different YouTube sign-ins. Bit annoying but fixed now I hope.

Great series of videos. Hopefully others will try their hand at it now.

Question?

Can I import your .brd (or the download file) from OSHPark into eagle and “tweak” them…as in say I get Tiny12 modify it a bit, enlarge it to 15mm, or do I need the schematic file you build your original board from?

You make it looks so dang easy…

You need the .sch and .brd file but yes, I can provide both and you can tweak to your hearts content.

I noticed something in video Part 2 (not sure if my OCD, or the fact that I clicked back about a bazillion times to make sure I entered EXACTLY what you entered) :stuck_out_tongue:

At 9:35 you label the symbol left leg OUT and right led VDD, but when you hide the label, then in text under info you reversed them (at 10:13)…would that cause an issue when building the schematic? Or does the connect logically connect them the proper way under the build device section?

See the "amendment" video. But yes, it screwed me up later and I had to redo the PCB video.

Mattaus

Very interesting I may never get to your level but just playing with the software a bit is fun.

Great job on the videos well done.

Thanks for taking the time.

CaptQ

Did you build your resistor and capacitor parts, I found them picking thru but when I go to add them to schematic…they aren’t there

IPC Standard SMD Packages
This is a package-only library, based on the Surface Mount Design and Land Pattern Standard developed by the Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging electronic Circuits (IPC).

Has the green button, but when I hit add part it doesn’t show up in the list…uggh

Um, you might have the brd layout only.

You can use mine:

C_0603: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vnjwj2p9z1kpsbx/C_0603.lbr

C_0805: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vjp519alpdh3i11/C_0805.lbr

R_0603: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kpgrd56e0nyhvhh/R_0603.lbr

Just download and paste those into the eagle library directory. No need to run any scripts.