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Seoras

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 25, 2007
878
2,320
Scotsman in New Zealand
I've got a small project that I've prototyped to concept working. Next step would be to move from breadboard wires to PCB.
Not something I've ever done before and unlikey to do again (famous last words...)
Can someone recommend a MacOS (or iPadOS) app for PCB design?
I'm guessing I'll probably only need 2 layers at absolute most.
Using a SOC, a resistor, a thermistor, battery holder, SD1306 display and nothing else other than perhaps a 4 pin terminal for allowing firmware updates.
Thanks!
 
Many commercial PCB design software packages offer a limited free version - only 2 layers and limited in the area size of the PCB - e.g. Eagle.

Full -unlimited- free packages are Osmond PCB, EasyEDA, PCB, KiCAD… to name a few. A variety of CAD programs offer PCB libraries, but they might not supply certain functionality like autorouter, etc.
 
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Using Veroboard is far cheaper
??? "far cheaper"??? 🥸 I listed free programs which run on the Mac - or in the browser. Even Eagle's limits in the free version are okay for many smaller projects.

Additionally the OP wants to create a PCB, how does some veroboard/stripboard software help them? they wrote that tey finished prototyping on a breadboard already and want to create a PCB…

on a personal note: one should provide a link when using a general demeanour, but that’s probably just me 🤪🤓

EDIT: you didn’t care about the question, didn’t you? your comment refers to the cost of breadboard prototyping vs. making a pcb, is it that?
 
Why are you so rude?????

Squared paper and a pencil and a strip of veroboard. I've made plenty of circuits that way!!!

Also the OP did not mention how many boards are needed.
 
Why are you so rude?????

Squared paper and a pencil and a strip of veroboard. I've made plenty of circuits that way!!!

Also the OP did not mention how many boards are needed.
did not intent to be rude.

With your first comment you provided something which I would call euphemistically “a vague response”.

It's of course absolutely fine to suggest to draw a PCB with a pencil - but I really do not see how this can be deduced from it.

But thanks for clarifying.
 
Your link is not working correctly for some reason.

There is a only a handful of components for a start and I googled the display with has several pins, by the looks of it @ 0.1" pitch and the most SOC's, uP's can be 0.1" too. So with all the bits and board, it can be built and working in a few hours depending on your skill level.

Using a EDA again depending on your will take time too. I made the assumption here by reading the word iPad then he OP has very little if any experience of using a EDA.

Then using a service like PCBway can take weeks to arrive and can be costly. Even more expensive if the library for so called header pins are smaller than the actual headers you plan on using 🤣🤣🤣


Your route is one end of the spectrum while mine is the other.
 
Your link is not working correctly for some reason.
The one in #7? it links back to your comment.

There is a only a handful of components for a start and I googled the display with has several pins, by the looks of it @ 0.1" pitch and the most SOC's, uP's can be 0.1" too. So with all the bits and board, it can be built and working in a few hours depending on your skill level.
The OP made clear that they have a simple project.

Using a EDA again depending on your will take time too. I made the assumption here by reading the word iPad then he OP has very little if any experience of using a EDA.
Well, first: OP wrote »recommend a MacOS (or iPadOS) app« 🤓

Then using a service like PCBway can take weeks to arrive and can be costly. Even more expensive if the library for so called header pins are smaller than the actual headers you plan on using 🤣🤣🤣


Your route is one end of the spectrum while mine is the other.
Nope. I answered the question providing links. You provided at first at best a - as already said - vague answer.

But you clarified that. Still you seem to skim over the original thread and present now points which are difficult to deduce from what the OP wrote IMHO. We do not know how or where the OP plans to print and/or transfer their PCB to copper - therefore e.g. delivery times of commercial services seem irrelevant, et cetera, et cetera…

Of course you can draw by hand.

Or you do the same thing with software… e.g. the browser… on an iPad… using e.g. an Apple Pencil. Or you use a dedicated program.
No placing of ready made parts from the library necessarily required - still quite convenient so.

I mentioned additionally CAD programs in my first comment - actually a vector drawing program like Vectornator would allow for the drawing of simple PCBs... in any case whatever form of changes required (line thickness, scaling, whatever) can easily applied.

And assuming that the OP has access to a Mac or an iPad… 😎

nota bene: pixelbased program which allow to create a simple PCB are available too. 🤓
 
I should also point out that the SOC I'm using is tiny. 12mm X 19mm.
It has 8 connection points squeezed together across 12mm.
Veroboard is just too large. I need software that can do surface mount sizes.
 
Many commercial PCB design software packages offer a limited free version - only 2 layers and limited in the area size of the PCB - e.g. Eagle.

Full -unlimited- free packages are Osmond PCB, EasyEDA, PCB, KiCAD… to name a few. A variety of CAD programs offer PCB libraries, but they might not supply certain functionality like autorouter, etc.
Thanks for the advice and list. Is there a stand out leader in among that lot? KiCAD seemed to come up a lot in my google searching. I've downloaded Eagle for MacOS, I'll give it a go first...
 
Thanks for the advice and list. Is there a stand out leader in among that lot? KiCAD seemed to come up a lot in my google searching. I've downloaded Eagle for MacOS, I'll give it a go first...
I like Eagle, it's very popular with hobbyists and you might be lucky enough to get the library part for your display.
 
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I should also point out that the SOC I'm using is tiny. 12mm X 19mm.
It has 8 connection points squeezed together across 12mm.
Veroboard is just too large. I need software that can do surface mount sizes.
What’s the part number? Maybe there’s an adapter board for it.

I buy SMT parts and adapter boards from Digikey, then it’s just a question of how small your soldering iron tip is.

If you’re only making a few boards, or one, then PCB fabrication costs will be significant. Or were you going to fab the board yourself?
 
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