Easy PCB Drawings With Draftsman

 

Introduction

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are essential components in nearly all modern electronic devices. A PCB serves as the base for mounting and connecting electronic components using conductive copper traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCB design involves creating schematics to define the electronic circuits and layouts to arrange components and routing for the PCB.

While PCB design was once the domain of specialized engineers using complex and expensive software, modern web-based tools like Draftsman provide an easy way for hobbyists and makers to design simple PCBs right in the browser. Draftsman offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for drawing schematics and layouts. It provides all the essential features needed for basic PCB design while eliminating the complexity and learning curve of traditional EDA software.

In this detailed guide, we will cover how to use Draftsman to easily draw schematics and layouts for custom PCB designs.

Getting Started with Draftsman

Draftsman is a web-based EDA tool accessible online at draftsman.io. The software is completely browser-based so there is no installation required. You can get started right away by creating a free account which provides access to all of Draftsman's features, with the only limitation being board size.

After signing up, you will be presented with Draftsman's streamlined interface. The left sidebar contains libraries of common components and footprints you can use in your designs. Along the top are tabs to switch between schematic and PCB layout modes. On the right is the property inspector pane for configuring component properties.

Let's start our first design by creating a new schematic. Click the "Schematic" tab to enter schematic editing mode.

Drawing the Schematic

The schematic defines the electronic circuits and components in a PCB design. It is an abstract diagram showing components as symbols and their connections.

In Draftsman, components like resistors, capacitors, and ICs can be placed by dragging and dropping from the component library on the left. Wires are also added by clicking to define connection points.

For our example PCB, we will design a simple circuit with the following components:

• ATmega328P Microcontroller
• 16 MHz Crystal
• 2x 22pF capacitors
• 10k Ohm resistor
• LED
• Voltage regulator
• Barrel jack
• Pin headers

To add the ATmega328P, expand the Microcontrollers section in the component library and locate the ATmega328P part. Click and drag it onto the canvas. The property inspector on the right will update to show the pins available on the chip.

Repeat this process to add the remaining parts from the component library. As each component is added, pins and names will be automatically populated.

We can now connect the components with wires. Click on a pin to start a wire, then click on the destination pin to complete the connection. Follow the schematic diagram below as an example:

With all the components wired up, we have completed the schematic design. The schematic provides a logical overview of the component connectivity. We can now switch over to PCB layout mode to arrange the physical placement of parts.

Creating the PCB Layout

While the schematic is focused on depicting electronic connectivity, the PCB layout deals with the physical placement and routing of traces on the circuit board.

In Draftsman, the layout view shows an empty PCB canvas. Our components from the schematic are available to drag and drop onto the board. We must decide how to best arrange the parts physically.

For this example PCB, we will organize components as follows:

• Place the ATmega328P, crystal, and capacitors near the center of the board.
• Put the voltage regulator, barrel jack, and headers along the edges.
• Position the resistor and LED off to the side.

As we add components, their names and pins are automatically carried over from the schematic. Pins that need to be connected are highlighted to make routing easier.

We can route traces between pins by clicking to start the trace and dragging over the PCB surface. Draftsman will automatically route around components and follow clearance rules. Critical traces like power and ground should be made thicker for better current flow.

After routing all the required connections, our final layout should resemble this:

With the completion of the schematic and PCB layout, we have finished the core PCB design process using Draftsman. The tool makes it straightforward to go from a circuit idea to a routed board layout using simple drag-and-drop.

Additional Draftsman Features

Beyond schematics and layouts, Draftsman provides additional handy features for advanced PCB design. These include:

Layers - Multiple copper layers allow complex routing for high density designs.

Planes - Large copper pours can be added for power or ground planes.

3D View - See a 3D render of the board with components. Helpful for fit checking.

Design Rules - Define custom clearances, sizes, and other constraints.

Net Names - Automatically name nets for easier identification.

Component Groups - Logically group components like ICs, connectors, etc.

Dimensions - Annotate important board dimensions for manufacturing.

Fabrication Outputs - Generate Gerber and drilling files to send to PCB fabrication.

While these are more advanced capabilities, Draftsman makes them readily accessible through its intuitive interface. Even as a beginner, you can take advantage of these features to enhance your PCB designs.

Summary

Draftsman provides a fantastic tool for easily designing PCBs right in your web browser. With its drag-and-drop schematic and layout editors, streamlined features, and handy component library, anyone can create basic circuit boards for their projects.

Key advantages of Draftsman include:

• Intuitive graphical interface - No coding required
• Easy to drag-and-drop parts and route connections
• Significantly simpler than traditional PCB design software
• Useful features like 3D view, design rules, and annotation
• Outputs for directly fabricating boards

So if you have an electronics project that could benefit from a custom designed PCB, Draftsman makes the process incredibly straightforward. In no time you can take a circuit idea to a routed board ready for fabrication. Draftsman democratizes PCB design by making simple boards accessible to any maker or hobbyist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a limit on the size of PCBs created in Draftsman?

Yes, Draftsman has size limits on PCBs for free accounts. The maximum dimensions are 3 x 3 inches for 2-layer boards. Upgrading to a paid plan allows creating larger boards up to 6 x 6 inches.

What file formats does Draftsman support for import/export?

Draftsman supports standard EDA file formats including Eagle CAD (.brd, .sch), KiCad (.kicad_pcb, .sch), and OrCAD (.dsn, .sch). For outputs, you can export Gerber, NC Drill, PDF, and images.

Can I create multi-layer boards with 4, 6, or more layers in Draftsman?

Yes, Draftsman supports up to 6 copper layers plus mechanical layers for designs that require complex routing. This allows creating more advanced PCBs beyond 2-4 layer boards.

Does Draftsman integrate with PCB manufacturing services for direct ordering?

Not currently, but Draftsman provides all the necessary output files you need to upload and order from PCB fabrication companies. The Gerber and drilling files can be sent to manufacturers.

Can I simulate or analyze boards designed in Draftsman before manufacturing?

While Draftsman itself does not include simulation features, you can export design files and import them into third party electronics design automation (EDA) tools that offer more extensive analysis capabilities.