Opening the Board Editor

Click the Board tool button to open the board layout editor.


Figure 15.1


A message stating the board file does not exist will appear. Click Yes to create the board file from the schematic. You will see a new window appear with all of the components you entered in the schematic connected by a tangled web of logical traces. For our project, the tangle is not too difficult to sort, but with larger projects, you may want to add a few components at a time while connecting them on the board layout as you go.


Figure 15.2

Circuit Traces

Start by positioning the components on the board. Make the layout as compact as possible and locate the components as close to the bottom left hand corner as possible. When you have your components arranged, resize the board to fit the components by moving the board edges. I sized my board to 2” X 1.5”.


Figure 15.3


Select the Trace tool button.


Figure 15.4


Set the trace selections to create the circuit trace that you want. First choose the layer. We will start with the top layer. Then choose how the line will be drawn. I prefer right angles and 45 degree angles whenever possible which means I choose the right angle traces, either up or down depending on how the trace is to be drawn, and include a right angle miter. A line width of .016 will do for this circuit.






Figure 15.5


One final note. In order to connect to all of the Atmega16 pins, you have to start routing the trace on the Atmega16 pin. Whenever you start a route, click on the end of the yellow signal line until the trace appears for you to direct. You can change the direction and angle of the trace as you are drawing it by clicking on the settings in the toolbar before you click the second location of the trace.


Here is the power circuit as I have the traces created with the Route toolbar.


Figure 15.6


When you need to change layers, you can add a via by clicking the Via tool button and changing the trace layer to which ever layer you want to draw the trace.


Figure 15.7

Use the Hole tool button for adding your mounting holes to the board if you need them.


Figure 15.8


After all of the logical traces have been outlined, vias added to complete the circuits, and arranged as not to create short circuits, this is how my circuit looks.


Figure 15.9


When you have completed your board, you can use the software to generate different types of files to accommodate several manufacturers. This enables you to get more competitive quotes at better time frames. Each manufacturer will list their particular file requirements for submitting a design for quote or manufacture.