paper: Talon SRX Breakout Boards

[phargo#1018]

Regarding Altium, I could use some help.

Previously I have used PCad - I am used to creating my own library files; I would prefer to use off the shelf files but usually they didn't have the right part.

Picking up with Altium, I only see two libraries in the default distribution.
Can someone please point me to where I can get current component libraries?

This year we prototyped a circuit to turn a flashlight on and off through the RoboRio. With enough knowledge, I am hoping to interest the students in starting to produce actual circuit boards.

I appreciate any assistance!
Really, if I could just get a copy of PCad I think I would be better off!

[marshall]

Originally Posted by phargo#1018

Regarding Altium, I could use some help.

Previously I have used PCad - I am used to creating my own library files; I would prefer to use off the shelf files but usually they didn't have the right part.

Picking up with Altium, I only see two libraries in the default distribution.
Can someone please point me to where I can get current component libraries?

This year we prototyped a circuit to turn a flashlight on and off through the RoboRio. With enough knowledge, I am hoping to interest the students in starting to produce actual circuit boards.

Google is your friend:
https://techdocs.altium.com/display/...load+Libraries
https://designcontent.live.altium.com

Aside from those, you can use the component wizard and then make your own. It's not terrible.

Originally Posted by phargo#1018

I appreciate any assistance!
Really, if I could just get a copy of PCad I think I would be better off!

I suspect you can find copies of it on eBay but I could be wrong.

[Michael Hill]

I always end up making my own footprints and components anyway.

Ask yourself this...do you really trust components from the internet?

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Michael Hill

I always end up making my own footprints and components anyway.

Ask yourself this...do you really trust components from the internet?

It's true but if you get them from the part manufacturer or supplier then they tend to be good.

I'd love to create an altium library with common FRC parts but I don't have the time to invest in it. I hope that part mining becomes easier down the road though and EDA packages start to integrate search in collaboration with shops like Mouser and Digikey... would be nice to troll for parts and be able to import them too.

[phargo#1018]

Regarding the library models, what I typically found is that the component I was using wasn't in the library.

I've used a lot of DC-DC converters,circular connectors, fiber transmitters and receivers; things that aren't mainstream, but are needed.

I also found that I could solder 1206 SMT patterns if I made my own pattern with longer pads. I am sure the off the shelf libraries work fine for the professional machines - I was working low quantity prototypes.

Thanks for the google pointer ... I will probably have more questions.

[phargo#1018]

Still working on the PCB design effort!

I looked into a number of Altium related items; honestly, their library capabilities appear to be a brick wall (perhaps a rock wall!). Most of the library information I can find is targeted at Altium version 10 or below. Their present distribution is at 16. Is anybody really using this package???

I am concentrating on free software versions. The first I ran into was geda. Gnu based and primarily intended for use on Linux systems. I am still working on getting up to speed on both! I think this has the highest payoff if I can make the Windows to Linux transition.

What I have been the most productive with is KiCAD. Free ... windows based ... able to create library entries, able to associate footprints with components. KiCAD is definitely clunky to use, although working through one design gets the user up to speed pretty fast.

I was able to do this in 3 or 4 evenings having never used the package, but with several years of CAD experience ... several years ago!

Comments?

[marshall]

Originally Posted by phargo#1018

Still working on the PCB design effort!

I looked into a number of Altium related items; honestly, their library capabilities appear to be a brick wall (perhaps a rock wall!). Most of the library information I can find is targeted at Altium version 10 or below. Their present distribution is at 16. Is anybody really using this package???

I am concentrating on free software versions. The first I ran into was geda. Gnu based and primarily intended for use on Linux systems. I am still working on getting up to speed on both! I think this has the highest payoff if I can make the Windows to Linux transition.

What I have been the most productive with is KiCAD. Free ... windows based ... able to create library entries, able to associate footprints with components. KiCAD is definitely clunky to use, although working through one design gets the user up to speed pretty fast.

I was able to do this in 3 or 4 evenings having never used the package, but with several years of CAD experience ... several years ago!

Comments?

No idea... outside of my realm of expertise but if you are having that much trouble then try CADSoft's EAGLE. It's by far the most popular EDA package for the hoboy-set.

[asid61]

Originally Posted by marshall

No idea... outside of my realm of expertise but if you are having that much trouble then try CADSoft's EAGLE. It's by far the most popular EDA package for the hoboy-set.

QFT. You can also upload the native Eagle .brd files to Oshpark for ordering PCBs, allowing you to skip making CAM files. This lets me upload 8 or 9 times per design, as it shows you a preview of what it will look like and lets you catch errors or sketchy situations easily.

That being said, making custom parts in Eagle can be arduous if you're not used to it. There are no convenient dimensioning tools like Solidworks' Smart Dimension. You either have to go by the dimension grid, or type in coordinates for each part manually.

[timytamy]

Originally Posted by phargo#1018

Picking up with Altium, I only see two libraries in the default distribution.
Can someone please point me to where I can get current component libraries?

The recomended source for the libraries is the Altium Content Vault (https://techdocs.altium.com/display/...Content+Vault). This is a large database of libraries published by Altium. It comes with very comprehensive metadata, including live links to suppliers that show current pricing and stock levels.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by timytamy

The recomended source for the libraries is the Altium Content Vault (https://techdocs.altium.com/display/...Content+Vault). This is a large database of libraries published by Altium. It comes with very comprehensive metadata, including live links to suppliers that show current pricing and stock levels.

Well that's a well kept secret. Thanks for sharing that.

[phargo#1018]

I didn't realize the vault application had to be downloaded separately.
Will it require a separate license, or is it included with the FIRST agreement?
Sincerely, thanks to all for the pointers!!

Download is in process, let's see where this leads!!

Between Eagle and KiCAD, I found KiCAD to be more suitable ... could just be me!

[timytamy]

The Altium Content Vault isn't a seperate download. The instructions (https://techdocs.altium.com/display/...+Content+Vault) should be enough to show you how to install, setup and use the included libraries.

The main disadvantage is that it's all stored server-side so access speeds are not that fast (this is where they normaly make money, by charging for a local Vault).