How to Design Circuit Layout

Designing a Circuit Diagram is quite easy but designing a Circuit Layout is somewhat difficult.Generally students prefer manual method for designing layout in which first of all circuit layout is drawn and then mirror image of the same is drawn on the PCB using permanent marker.Making circuit layout using software is quite difficult but we can't escape our self when we are talking about a big project consisting of numerous components.In such cases preparing layout using manual method is tedious venture.
We tried to make layout using traditional manual method but,we found it difficult to make a layout for forty pin IC on the PCB.Then we decided to go for software method.No one among us was familiar about the software method.Initially we faced lots of difficulty, then finally we came out with shortcut method of designing layout using "EAGLE SOFTWARE" along with some additional softwares.
We are starting a series on "How to prepare a circuit layout?" for electronics students.you can check below,

The software required for the same is enlisted below.
For Designing a Circuit Layout We are Using Eagle as a Layout Maker.

Eagle:

Eagle offers user friendly, powerful and affordable solutions for PCB design, including Schematic Capture, Board Layout and Autorouter. User Language Programs enable features such as simulation and 3D-visualization.
Note:Making Layout for project free version of Eagle is sufficient.
Download From Here: Download Eagle.

Screen Capture Tools:

We are trying to give you a shortest way for making layout.For this purpose use FastStone as Image Capture Software,You can use any image capturing software for this purpose.
Download FastStone From Here: Download FastStone.
Note:FastStone Capture is not a free program so instead of using FastStone Capture.
Windows7 User use a Snipping Tool which is present in Start→All Programs→Accessories→Snipping Tool
Use Greenshot which is a Free Software which is equivalent to FastStone.
Download Greenshot From Here: Download Greenshot.

Microsoft Word:

This is a last and final software.Microsoft Word is used for print preview.
Insha-allah In next part of this tutorial we will show you how to use this softwares for making perfect layout for your projects.

Filed Under: Circuit Design