Music Tech Fest is a 'festival of ideas' bringing together the entire music technology ecosystem, from influential musicians, music tech start-ups and app creators, performers, creators and hackers. From musical performances to presentations, demos and installations, this festival is sure to be a noisy one!

When is it?

Music Tech Fest’s London event will be held at the London Symphony Orchestra’s own venue, the LSO St Lukes between 5^th–7^th September.  Other Music Tech Fest events include Berlin October 24-26, Paris November 21-23, and New York December 12-14, with the addition of São Paulo, Auckland, Umeå, Los Angeles and Amsterdam in 2015.

Why is RS there?

RS Components will be sponsoring Music Tech Fest as it is a great place to showcase the support for technological innovation that RS has. This event will bring together and unite both academia and industry in music technology innovation.

As part of the sponsorship RS Components have donated, along with other components, Raspberry Pi Model B+ boards and Arduino boards to ensure the hackers have everything they need to create the most innovative projects they can think of!

The previous event in Boston was held at Microsoft Research NERD Labs and saw  a live linkup to the British Library Sound Archive’s ‘Keeping Tracks’  to performances from Adam John Williams, an award-winning multi-disciplinary digital artist working with electronics, sound, video and projection mapping who works with Music Tech Fest.

Who else will be there?

Adam John Williams and solo artist Jason Singh, from http://thesinghthing.com/ who recently added his musical expertise to slots on the BBC’s Springwatch programme, will come together and do an exclusive performance. Using both Jason’s unique talents and components supplied from RS this performance will hopefully inspire others to engage with both music and technology throughout the weekend.

Where can I find out more?

If you want to watch the highlights from the previous Music Tech Fest event in Boston watch this video

Visit the Music Tech Fest website

Get your tickets to the London event

Follow @MusicTechFest on Twitter

This page lists the DesignSpark PCB tutorials

>>> To view this page in FRENCH language click here<<< 

Have you tried the built-in Help in DSPCB? It includes a wealth of information to help you get the best out of the product. Key help topics are listed, or you can use the Index or Search facilities to find a particular topic. This built-in Help can be accessed via SHIFT+F1 ot via the menu Help>Contents from within the DSPCB application:

The table below shows the available and planned Tutorials:

About this tutorials list

The collection of DesignSpark PCB tutorials above is dynamic and regularly updated with both text and video content. Additions, corrections or enhancements come mostly form the community and we are both happy and quick to incorporate them. If you wish to contribute to the submission of tutorial materials as well as proposing new topics, please drop us an email - we are always happy to work with our users helping to make this great resource even better!

This Tutorial explains PCB setup and placing components in DesignSpark PCB.

Please see the video tutorial below to get our expert's perspective on this subject and read the text further down the page for complementary look-up information.

Converting the Schematic to PCB

If you are following the tutorial, you would have already processed your ‘logical’ Schematic design into the ‘physical’ PCB design layout editor using the Translate To PCB option and PCB Wizard. If you didn’t do this, go back to the previous chapter (Converting your Schematic to PCB) and convert your schematic into a PCB design ready to carry on with this tutorial.

At this point you would normally be ready to start laying out the PCB design. For our example, we created the board outline, placed the components and routed the connections. This enabled you to see the full process working.

The board outline is displayed with the components placed (and routed), we are going to undo this and do it all manually.

Unroute the Design

You may sometimes have a requirement to unroute all or part of the design, as we do now. Unrouting is the process of removing tracks leaving only the connections remaining.

Unroute the design

Selectthe Unroute Nets>All Nets optionon the Tools menu to unroute the whole design removing all the tracks already routed. Three Unroute options available to control the amount of unrouting to perform – All Nets, Browse and Selected Nets.

Don’t forget, once unrouted, you can always restore the routes using Undo<Ctrl-Z>.

Changing the Number of Layers

If you decide at any time to change the number of physical layers or the type of manufacturing, you can do this using the Settings menu and the Design Technology option, choose the Layers tab.

Be aware that reducing the number of layers using Delete could lead to information on the inner electrical layers being lost.

Creating a Board Outline Interactively

If you require a custom board size and shape, and decide not you use our pre-defined shapes of rectangle or circle, this can also be easily achieved.

Deleting an existing board outline

DesignSpark only requires one board outline so you would need to delete any previous one first. You can edit an existing board outline as well. If you do need to delete it, simply select the outline and click the Delete button on your keyboard.

Adding a new board outline

Board outlines can be created easily in DesignSpark; by adding board shapes (including circles). The Add Board option on the Add menu allows you to interactively create a board outline by drawing it into the design. Four shape styles are provided: Rectangle, Shape, Circle and Square. There is also a shortcut on the PCB Design toolbar to add a Board Polygon.

Board outlines are created as a Closed shape so during addition, you’ll see the ‘trailing’ board segment trail back to the start point. Click to add corners. After adding the last corner, use double-click to finish. If during the insert, you wish to cancel, click the <Esc> key on the keyboard. This will create you a board outline as a continuous shape starting and finishing at the start point.

Once the board has been added, it can be modified afterwards, extra segments can be added and the corners can be mitred or made curved.

For this tutorial, during the Schematic To PCB conversion process earlier we have specified the board outline as a square of 3000x3000 thou. If you require cutout shapes in your board, add these using the Add Board Shape option. DesignSpark understands that board outlines inside the main board outline will act as cutouts.

Importing a new board outline using a DXF file

Instead of drawing a board outline, you can also import a DXF file previously created in your mechanical CAD system, such as AutoCAD.

If you wish to import a DXF file, use the Import option on the File menu. You are presented with a dialog to map shapes and text in the DXF file into your DesignSpark layers. You can also change the import Units to adjust the import scale. More information about this option is available in the Online Help.

Placing Components

Placement can be an automatic or manually process. Automatic placement can be either during the conversion phase or by using the Auto Place Components> option from the Tools menu. Manual placement can be done at any point in the Design editor, even after using the automatic placement option.

We’ve started the design with the board outline and are now ready to try manually placing the components. Currently, our design has been placed during use of the New Board Wizard option. We will un-place the design first.

Drag a box around the components in the design to select them. 

Now pick and drag them outside the board outline. Had you chosen the option Arrange Outside theBoard, this would havestacked them neatly outside the board outline ready for manual placement. Once outside the board outline, release the mouse to place them. Click in free space to deselect the components.

To place components

DesignSpark uses standard Microsoft Windows methodology throughout, moving or placing components is a simple case of picking and dragging the selected component. At any time during move, the drag may be cancelled by pressing the <Esc> key, or once released by using Undo<Ctrl-Z>.

Using the pick and drag method, place all the components to look like the picture below.

We suggest you place CONN1, U1, U2 and U3 first and place the other components around these. Placement on this design isn’t critical but improve it if you feel you want to.

When placing U3 we have rotated it to get it closer to the connector CONN1. We will also place the decoupling capacitors close to this device as they are pretty sensitive and are there to reduce noise of the voltage regulator.

Place capacitors C6, C7, C8 and C9 as close as you can to U3. To follow our example exactly as the picture below, you will need to rotate some of the components.

Once you have these components placed, we will fix them. On a real design, let’s assume you might have some critical components which are placed specifically. You would then want to fix these so they cannot be moved accidentally.

To fix components

To fix components, select the component and use Properties from the shortcut menu.

On the Component page, select the Fixed check box and press OK. This will fix the component.

The Fix Item option is also available on the shortcut menu for a selected component.

To rotate components

During Place or after placing components, use the shortcut key <R> to Rotate them and <F> to Flip (mirror) surface mount components to the other side of the board. These options (and more) are available on the shortcut menu during Place by clicking the right mouse button.

To flip (mirror) components to the other side of the board

For our design, no mirroring (Flip) will be required. The placement and overall connection lengths could be improved by rotating some of the components. If you feel you would like the practice placing components, select a component and click <R> to rotate it. Component names can be rotated back to be a readable direction separately using the same pick and rotate method.

Once fully placed, the design should be routed.

To use the autoplace option

We’ve placed some of the critical components and fixed them in-place. Now we will place the remaining components using the Autoplace option.

From the Tools menu, select Auto Place Components>, choose AllComponents.

From the selection available, we want to View Component Placement so check the box. Also check the Don’t Place Fixed Components box, we want the fixed components to remain in-place.

Set the Minimum Space Allowed Between Components and Placement Grid values to 100 thou each. You can play about with these values if you like. Place the remaining components and use Undo if you wish to try a different placement pattern. Perhaps changing the Grid to 50 thou.

Press OK to make the placement. The remaining components are placed around the fixed ones in the space available.

Save the design

Save the design using the Save option from the File menu or click the Save icon on the toolbar.

The PCB design has already been named when you translated from Schematic to PCB, we named it Tutorial.pcb. We named it this so it matches the name of the Schematic. This will become more important later on when you run the integrity checks before plotting.

If you have any suggestions on how to improve this tutorial please drop us a comment below

DesignSpark Team (RS Components/Allied Electronics)

DesignSpark PCB changes, features & enhancements are a direct result of your feedback, suggestions and requests. Please contribute to the discussions to help us make DSPCB even better!

>>> Below you can also download previous versions of DesignSpark PCB software (for compatibility reasons), as requested by the community  <<<

IMPORTANT: Installation/upgrade instructions

01/09/2014 - Version 6.1 resolves the following issues:

1. 3D View

• Prism shapes in user-defined packages were not being inverted for a component that had been placed on the back of the board.

• When package type is set to DILSwitch, if it happened to match with a PCB symbol containing only a single pin, the application would quit while attempting to generate the 3D impression.

• When creating a new 3D package, sometimes the details would not be saved the first time round, requiring the details to be entered a second time before the new package would be saved to the library.
• Each successive redraw would increase memory usage.

2. Change Style

• Changing the track style of a zero-length track between a via and a pad at the same location could cause the application to quit as the track is tidied out after making the style change.

3. Design Rule Check

• Component-to-Component checking was being done using the ‘edges’ of the component bounds, rather than treating the bounds as a ‘solid’ box, thus leading to fewer errors being reported than should have been the case.

4. DXF Import

• Certain commands were not being interpreted correctly in DXF files in recent formats, potentially leading to nothing appearing in the design after import.

5. DXF Output

• Long layer names could cause the DXF file to be unreadable in other software such as AutoCAD and TrueView, despite the published length limit of layer names being 255 characters.

• Text items could be misplaced from their proper locations.

6. Gerber Import

• The holes defined by drill files were not always being matched to the corresponding pads during Intelligent Gerber Import, resulting in pads without holes.

• If the folder where the import process tried to write its report file was not writeable, the application would quit.

7. Goto

• The Goto bar would sometimes retain information (such as Component names) from a design that had been closed or reloaded, which would cause the application to quit if you clicked on any of those items.

8. Library Manager

• The presence of a comma in the name of a 3D package could cause the application to quit as it encountered that name when reading the 3D library.

9. Forward Design Changes

• In designs containing some types of PCB-only component, running Forward Design Changes or Integrity Check could cause the application to quit as it attempted to generate the report.

10. Startup

• On a tiny number of machines, usually running Windows 7, the application would ‘block’ on startup after a Windows API function call failed to return. The application process would be visible in Task Manager but nothing would be displayed on the screen.

11. Update Component

• In some circumstances when more than one package of the same component is used in the same design, updating one of those components would result in an internal fault in the design data, potentially leading to the design file becoming unreadable.

12. Back Annotation

• Processing back annotation data was causing the application to lock up for one particular design.

13. Duplicate

• A net with a name of “N” was erroneously recognised as a default (unnamed) net, causing the joining of nets during duplicate to leave the net as unmerged with the original.
• Duplicate didn't copy pad style exceptions from the original component instances.

14. Edit Track

• Using backspace to delete previous segments was not changing the current active layer when backspacing through a Via.

15. SCM/PCB Check

• A malformed warning message was being output to the report when ignoring PCB-only component pads.

16. Plotting

• The preview on the Plotting dialog did not include Vias.

17. Projects

• If the procedure to add a PCB design to a Project was cancelled partway through (for example at a prompt to save an older format design file), the file could be only partially linked to the project and would then cause the application to quit.

18. Rename

• Attempting to rename nets across a Project was locking up if it encountered a name change that differed only in the case (e.g. renaming mux25 to MUX25).

19. Reports

• The Layers report contained error messages in place of the expected information about Layer Types.

20. Frame Select

• Multiple uses of Frame Select would lose the previous selection, and became stuck in Deselect mode.

21. Next Error

• While moving a component dragged from the Component Bin, pressing the hotkey for Next Error can cause the application to quit on releasing the moving component.

22. Paste

• It was not possible to Copy/Paste between Schematic Symbol and Schematic Design.

23. PDF Output

• Missing fonts were causing PDF output to fail.

24. Pour Copper

• Thermal spokes were being added even when inside a copper keepout area.

25. Styles

• Unhelpful error message given if corner radius is too large for pad width in Pad Properties.

26. Translate to PCB

• There were some issues with Schematic-only and PCB-only components following an earlier fix.

 >>> Download DesignSparkPCB Version 6.0 <<<

21/01/2014 - Version 6.0

Overview video for the new features in Version 6:

1. Simplified DesignSpark Mechanical IDF export - for easier exporting to DS Mechanical 3D design tool

2. Cross-Probe - for faster hardware debugging and navigation around designs

3. Custom Shortcuts - add user-defined keyboard shortcuts for personalisation of UI

4. Start Page - lists useful highlights, reference designs, getting started links and the handy list of recent projects/files

IMPORTANT: Installation/upgrade instructions

 >>> Download DesignSparkPCB Version 5.1 <<<

06/11/2013 - Version 5.1

1. ModelSource Component Reference error - this fixes incorrect RefDes or Component ID issue

2. ModelSource Fails to read XML with “>” character in a value - this fixes display of some of the library families previously resulting in a 'communication error'

3. Component Edit: Name Pins by Row/Col can sometimes fail to apply new names

4. Librariy Manager: a malformed unnamed library item could cause the application to quit

5. PDF Outputs: mirrored text on PDF plots was slightly undersized

6. Layout: Add shape using "=" to type in start & corners does not work if orthogonal segment mode

7. Opening files: Reloading a design can sometimes cause the application to quit if Interaction Bar has been closed

 >>> Download DesignSparkPCB Version 5.0 <<<

16/04/2013 - Version 5.0

• dedicated (version-dependent) folders
• preserving Library folders when uninstalling
• preserving registry settings when uninstalling (for automatic activation of new version)
• improved messaging

4. Reorganised Tutorial links and Start Menu shortcuts

>>> Version 4.1 no longer available for download <<<

04/03/2013 - Version 4.1 Bug fixes:

>>> Version 4.0 no longer available for download <<<

Version 4.0 New features:

1. ModelSource interface - access to an on-line database of over 80,000 components and associated product data. The components can be searched via Part Number Quick Search or category browsing and attribute selection (Parametric Search)

2. BOM Quote - integration with RS Components eCommerce website for instant Bill of Materials quoting and component purchase

3. PCB Quote - inferface to PCB manufacturers' on-line quoting websites with instant design parameters transfer

4. PCB Symbol – Placement Origin – this is a new type of origin that can be used to define where the pick-and-place origin of the footprint is positioned. This is then available in the Reports output, as the Place X and Y fields to use in place of the existing Centre X/Y or Position X/Y. If you specify PlaceX/Y in the report and a footprint doesn’t have a placement origin, it will use the CentreX/Y instead.

5. Reports – schematic-only components – you can now exclude these from reports by changing ‘Components to Include’ from ‘All’ to ‘Only items matching Schematic-only is false’.

6. Update Components – there are now separate checkboxes for component values (the actual values and their text strings) and value positions (the visible instances of values). This means you can tell it to update existing or add new values when updating the component without disturbing where the value positions are displayed on the drawing.

7. Reports - Bill Of Materials report now adjusted to show RS Part Numbers and other additional details

8. Updated Eagle import ULPs

Version 4.0 Bug fixes:

1. Changes to handling of Components with no pins

2. Apply to row/column on right-click menu in dialog grids

3. DRC now detects SMT pad with drill hole going through other layers

4. Pressing Enter when editing cell in a grid now goes to next line (like Excel)

5. Improved drawing for coloured cells (e.g. on Colours dialog)

6. Better retention of pin name/number positioning when updating components

7. Adds missing menu option "Disconnect From Net" for copper that has been assigned to a net

8. Some PCB nets had odd colour and/or hidden connections after translating from Schematic

9. NC Drill files now include G81 ("drill mode") command at start, required by some viewers/readers (e.g. GC-Prevue)

10. Dotted or dashed line styles no longer output to DXF as solid lines

11. Uses height from component even if over-ridden on the instance

>>> Version 3.0 no longer available for download <<<

Version 3.0 New Features:

1. Spice Simulation Interface - DesignSpark PCB software can now be interfaced to free industry standard Spice simulators to carry out circuit simulation. DesignSpark PCB Circuit Design Software currently supports four simulators: LTSpice, LSSpice, B2Spice and TINA.

2. Design Calculators - You can select tracks or vias (vertical electrical connection between different layers of conductors in a PCB) in your design and perform basic electrical calculations such as:

• Width of a track required for a given current.
• Impedance of a selected track.
• Optimum copper density to use.        
• Approximate temperature rise on a track.
• Resistance of a via given its physical characteristics.

These useful calculators produce approximations of actual circuit performance to aid the decision process in completing a successful PCB layout. Also available is a standard scientific calculator.

3. Grouping - This feature allows multiple items in your circuit diagram to be associated together so that they act as one ‘unit’. Once defined, groups can be used to assist in selecting related portions of your circuit. Perform group functions from the Schematic to the PCB to enable simpler identification and handling of specific elements of your design.

Version 3.0 Bug Fixes:

1. Component Editor - Change Terminal Name no longer automatically replicates the name change across similar gates. Instead the name change only applies to the selected terminal, and a new command is provided to explicitly copy the selected name to the other gates.

The Packages dialog now allows the deletion of the last Package of  a Component to make it into a Schematic-only Component.

2. Technology - The ‘table’ (grid) used on this dialog and others has been upgraded. This allows some additional functionality, as well as removing the installation problems on someVistaand Windows 7 systems. Such tables can now be scrolled with the mouse wheel. The ‘Apply To Column’ function is now available in Net Classes, Track Styles, Line Styles and Text Styles. When adding or editing tracks, the context menu option called Autoroute is now more correctly called Auto Complete.

3. Preferences - The Display Preferences page has been laid out differently.

4. Projects - Paste now displays the ‘Paste Net’ dialog if net(s) exist in other sheets in the Project. A pasted Net receives the Net Class of an existing project net. A new Net will copy the net class from this net if defined in another sheet in the project. A new Net Class will copy parameters from this net class if defined in another sheet in the project.

5. Optimise Nets - Where a connection is required to connect an item to its powerplane a ‘zero length’ connection will be drawn as a ‘butterfly’ shape.

6. 3D View - New shapes BEAD, DILSwitch and LEDdisplay have been added.

>>> Version 2.0 no longer available for download <<< 

Version 2.0 New Features:

1. 3D viewer

2. Enhanced library features

Version 2.0 Bug Fixes:

1. Add Component - Cancel Mode on context menu

2. Values in component edit are now a tab on properties dialog (was separate dialog)

3. Grids - Control G - Grid Snap menu is now proper menu now has "Grids" option at bottom

4. Grids on context menu when something selected in design

5. Export to Bitmap/EMF on the File menu

6. new LPKF menu option (simply goes to same place as Manufacturing Plots in this release)

7. value position on a component can display the part (component) description field

8. project view has Rename and Duplicate functions to help manage sheets in project

9. Change Component shows both schematic and PCB previews

10. Reports - Component List - new column type 'Text' for inserting text strings into report

11. Add Component can now return to the dialog on Escape (switchable by option on Preferences)

12. When pasting copied design data, new Cancel Move option allows it to be dropped in original position (same position it was when you copied the data)

13. In component editing, values can be added or copied to all packages in the component by click of button instead of having to add them by hand to each package

14. When saving library items (symbols etc), the Save dialog includes <New Library> in the list of available libraries, allowing you to create a new library 'on the fly' to contain your library item.

15. library manager dialog : has 'ok all' and 'cancel all' buttons when doing 'Copy To'; now has 'Move To' button (like 'Copy To' then delete from source library afterwards); Components page has 'Save To Lib' button to save set of data for selected items to another library (see 10).

16. angular resolution increased to 2 decimal places for finer placement

17. right click on selected components in design, new option 'Save Selected Items to Library' allows you to save components and all their symbols/footprints to library files. Useful for building project libraries from a design, 'exporting' components and related symbols to a new library to give to someone else, etc.

18. Excellon setup dialog now provides ability to keep tool numbers unique across all drill files generated in one 'run'. Used for example to get unique tool numbers when you generate two separate files for plated and unplated holes.

19. Separation of plated and unplated holes on drill ident plots.

Note: Also included are several fixes including for eagle import (not bringing through all values) and mouse wheel scrolling

>>> Version 1.3 no longer available for download <<<

Version 1.3 Bug fixes:

Minor update, fixes added for the following:

1. import of EIL (component library) file was not always reading Description field correctly
 
2. IDF generation, suppress empty value fields in IDF output
 
3. Eagle import was not always handling mounting holes correctly

4. Program hang in New Component dialog if you select neither Scm nor Pcb
 
5. PDF plotting, drill holes missing on some pads shapes in PDF output

6. Discrete library had values missing, added in for consistency with tutorial documentation

>>> Version 1.0 no longer available for download <<<

Version 1.0 - First release (June 2010)

Wolrd's first fully featured FREE electronics design software is released to put the power to innovate in hands of EVERY engineer. RS Components and Allied Electronics are committed to fully support this excellent design resource. We will be gathering feedback from user community and respond to your needs/suggestions/feedback with enhancements and new features which will continue reinforcing DesignSpark PCB as an important part of your rapid prototyping and design toolchain.

Download DesignSpark PCBActivate DesignSpark PCB

*Free for commercial or non-commercial use, no limitations or licensing.

Watch our FAQ video to find out why RS/Allied provide DesignSpark PCB to you at no cost and what sort of problems our software can help you with:

DesignSpark PCB is the world’s most accessible electronics design software. Easy to learn and easy to use, DesignSpark PCB is designed to significantly reduce your concept-to-production time. At the core of this unique approach is a powerful software engine that enables you to capture Schematics, design PCB boards and layouts. DesignSpark PCB had won multiple awards and with over 250,000 registered users it emerges as an electronic industry's standard for collaboration and file sharing!

Quick links:

>> installation/upgrade instructions

>> Product Brochure (PDF) in multiple languages

>> On-line Tutorials to help you getting started

>> List of input/output file formats

>> Supported Operating Systems

>> Change Log: Version 6.1 Update!

>> Reference Designs (coming soon)

Find Support on our Forums

Click here to read about typical uses of DSPCB depending on various user needs. Also see the DesignSpark PCB Customer Promise to learn about what we are committed to in terms of the software and supporting our users.

Want to know more? See a high level overview of the core functionality of DesignSpark PCB:

User Testimonials

We're always telling everyone just how great our free tools are! Don't just take our word for it, here are comments from some of our DesignSpark PCB and DesignSpark Mechanical users. Read more...

Engineers are at the heart of evolution of DesignSpark PCB. Being Customer Focused is one of the key values here at RS Components and as such we listen closely to your needs:

Latest PCB design tutorials preview:

The topic of editing and re-using the ModelSource PCB library components is covered by our Expert in a series of 3 new tutorial videos View this tutorial | View all tutorials

A set of 12 'Getting Started' video tutorials from Eugene Tham @Republic Polytechnic in Singapore View this tutorial | View all tutorials

Power plane and Ground plane design in DesignSpark PCB (re-visited) View this tutorial | View all tutorials

DesignSpark PCB Software overview:

World’s first truly FREE and unrestricted electronics design software. Developed by RS Components/Allied Electronics to enable engineers rapidly design great products, DesignSpark PCB had won multiple awards since 2010 while attracting over 250,000 activations. This breakthrough in accessibility, backed by powerful features enabled engineers to share designs within teams and externally - bringing collaborative hardware design to a whole new level.

DesignSpark PCB is offered completely Free of Charge and fully featured. This is not a cut down version of an expensive product or one with a time limitation on license. (There are no intentional restrictions on designs). There are unlimited schematic sheets per project, up to 1m squared of board size and no limits on layers, which allow you to get your creativity flowing without restraints. DesignSpark PCB circuit design software can be used for schematic capture, PCB board design & layout, generating impressive 3D View to visualise your design in real time, and generating manufacturing files.

DesignSpark PCB supports importing of CadSoft EAGLE PCB CAD design files, circuit diagrams and libraries (See the Eagle import tutorial). In addition to extensive libraries, sophisticated part creation wizards make it easy to design new parts from scratch or by amending downloaded symbols and footprints. Bill of Materials (BOM) report can also be generated at any time; these give RS Components order numbers where appropriate.

DesignSpark PCB allows you to generate all the files required to take your project from circuit diagram to layout schematic to a circuit board built project. Gerbers (Extended RS-274-X), Excellons, component positions report are available to make your design compatible with pick and place machines ready for automated PCB assembly (reflow oven process). Other output formats include DXF (import and export) and IDF for interfacing to mechanical CAD software tools.
Whether you are a professional designer making money from your designs, an electronics education professional, a student or a hobbyist seeking an easy to use, professional standard, unrestricted schematic capture and PCB layout tool, then DesignSpark PCB is right for you!

DesignSpark PCB is based on community feedback and all software development, enhancements and new features derive from your comments, design work and experiences you share with other members.

To learn more watch our series of introductory videos:

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Useful links:

DesignSpark PCB Supported Operating Systems

DesignSpark PCB Change Log

DesingSpark PCB Quick Start Guide & Google Drive library sharing

DesignSpark PCB Teaching Materials (PowerPoint) for Education

Running DSPCB on Mac machines using Crossover

Leave a comment on the PCB Forum

Below is a list Reference Designs created in DesignSpark PCB. 

• Arduino Leonardo                                

• Arduino MEGA2560                             

• Arduino MINI                                        

• Arduino Nano                                       

• Arduino UNO                                         

• Arduino UNO(SMD)

• Arduino Proto Shield                           

• Arduino Ethernet Shield                   

• Arduino Motor Shield                         

• Arduino wireless Shield                     

• mbed Application Board                    

• Animatronic Lab for mbed                

• AudioCODEC for mbed                        

• Display board for mbed                     

• chipKIT UNO32                                       

本ページの情報は、DSPCB v3 用に作成されたもので、2014年9月現在、既に古いものになっております。最新の情報はこちらを参照ください。

■ チュートリアル　 ( Menu > Help > Tutorials で表示されるドキュメントを日本語化したものです) 
→　DesignSparkPCB 日本語チュートリアル
→　DesignSparkPCB 日本語チュートリアル（ライブラリ作成編）
→　DesignSparkPCB 日本語チュートリアル（Eagleファイルインポート編）

■DesignSparkPCB使い方（基礎編）
→　（１）　「新規ファイル作成～部品の選択と配置」
→　（２）　「部品の配置変更～配線の仕方」
→　（３）　「結線～部品プロパティの変更」
→　（４）　「部品プロパティの変更～部品の移動」
→　（５）　「回路図の確認～印刷」
→　（６）　「Translate To PCB」
→　（７）　「部品・パターンの移動」
→　（８）　「パターンの操作」
→　（９）　「基板サイズ変更・マウンティングホールの配置」
→　（１０）　「ボード図の確認」
→　（１１）　「基板の製造」
→　（１２）　「部品の追加」
→　（１３）　「設計変更要求」
→　（１４）　「バックアノテーション」

■ DesignSparkPCB使い方（ライブラリ編）
→　（１）　「ライブラリマネージャについて」
→　（２）　「回路図記号の作成（１）」
→　（３）　「回路図記号の作成（２）」
→　（４）　「基板記号の作成（１）」
→　（５）　「基板記号の作成（２）」
→　（６）  「コンポーネントの作成（１）」
→  （７）  「コンポーネントの作成（２）」
→  （８）  「コンポーネントの作成（３）」

→  （番外編）「ライブラリのインポート」 

■ DesignSparkPCB使い方（機能編）
→　（１）　「PCB Converter for SketchUp(1)」
→　（２）　「PCB Converter for SketchUp(2)」
→　（３）　「Gridの単位変更」
→　（４）　「Export」
→　（５）　「パターンの角度の変更方法」
→　（６）　「べたとビアの接続方法」
→　（７）　「ModelSourceの使い方」
→　（８）　「デザインルールチェック」

In June we offered you a chance to win a Red Pitaya by simply sharing your innovative and creative application ideas of what you would use this versatile open source measurement and control tool for.

With a large number of fantastic competition entries to choose from picking a winner proved difficult, however after much deliberation by our panel of expert judges they finally managed to come to a decision.

The winning idea was a proposal to develop the art of piano tuning into a scientific procedure using the Red Pitaya, created by Dr John Mitchell from North Wales. John is a professional physicist (PhD) and works as Senior Optical Metrologist for Glyndŵr University on their work on the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT)

John’s inspiration was provided by his wife (a professional musician) and a number of pianos in their home, one of which is seriously out of tune. Researching into piano tuning unearthed a host of  information regarding the complex task, including tuning together the 3 strings on each pitch note, factors connected with the length of the strings, varying harmonic characteristics and fundamental frequencies.

In his proposal the Red Pitaya was to be used to analyse the characteristic of the sound wave produced by each string and hence to scientifically tune the strings to the best possible effect, potentially involving aspects of the design of other parts of the instrument also.

Luckily John found out about this great competition via our DesignSpark newsletter and will be receiving his prize very soon. He shall then continue turning his design into reality in with support from the Red Pitaya team to develop the application further.

Who did the judging panel consist of?

Peter Smith, Applications Manager, RS Components

Rok Mesar, CEO of Red Pitaya

Borut Baričević, Senior RF engineer, Red Pitaya

Aleš Bardorfer, Senior System Architect, Red Pitaya

Johann Siau, Principal Lecturer at University of Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire University have been involved in early use of the Red Pitaya, using it in a range of R&D projects with students. For example, the device has been used in a number of projects within their Smart Systems Laboratory.

Find out more about Red Pitaya in our Design Centre

Not registered to receive our DesignSpark newsletter? Make sure you’re kept up-to-date with the latest products, competition and events within the electronics industry by registering with DesignSpark today.  To register, register or login to DesignSpark.com. visit "my profile", click edit and tick to receive newsletters.

Introducing the Ormerod 2 from RepRapPro - a single colour low-cost open source self-replicating 3D printer.  The Ormerod is one of the most versatile 3D printers available: it is easy to expand in functionality, fast to replicate and fast to assemble. And what's best is ALL RepRapPro printers are capable of self-replicating their own plastic components.

The Ormerod 2 is shipped as a kit of parts for self assembly and includes:

• all printed parts
• all hardware, including threaded and smooth rods, screws, nuts, washers, belts and bearings
• pre-soldered and programmed electronics
• MicroSD card and adapter
• heated PCB build surface; motors
• nozzle assembly and extruder drive mechanism
• 100m of 1.75mm-diameter white PLA filament material (weighing approximately 300g)
• a 100-240V worldwide input power supply (plugs available for EU, UK, US and Australia)
• plus open-source software to run the machine including firmware for the electronics.

The Ormerod 2 brings several advantages compared to its predecessor, including a much simpler and more integrated assembly with improved instructions and wiring looms for simple plugin connection and no soldering necessary.

Enhancements

Build Bed

Improvements to the y-carriage design, bed probe, extruder and power supply, as well as better emissions control and software support. For example, the Ormerod 2 design offers much easier adjustment of the bed level; improved y-axis belt location and retention delivers easier adjustment of belt tension; and a new bed probe now features a four-wire differential device, as well as providing much easier access to the extruder for cleaning purposes.

Power Supply

Now a 100-240V worldwide input power supply and is a dedicated 12V supply, rather than being an adapted supply, and is more compact with its integration into the machine with no trailing wires.   EMI emissions have also been reduced, resulting from a fully shielded design that meets the Class A CE mark.

Further Specifications

Specifications of the Ormerod 2 printer include:

• build volume and speed of 200 x 200 x 200mm and 1800mm/min, respectively
• a deposition rate of 33cm³ per hour
• accuracy and layer resolution of 0.1mm and 0.01 , respectively
• and ability to print using either PLA or ABS thermoplastic materials.

The open-source software designed to run the machine is fully compatible with the original Ormerod printer and will run on a relatively low powered computer running Windows, Linux/Ubuntu or Mac OS.

When used in conjunction with the free DesignSpark Mechanical 3D modeling software, the Ormerod 2 3D printing kit will enable design engineers around the world to develop sophisticated concepts and products very quickly and inexpensively.

BUY NOW

What is it?

Electronica 2014 is the largest electronics trade show in Europe.  Taking place at the Messe München from November 11-14, over 70,000 visitors from more than 70 different countries attend to experience the latest technological developments from the electronics industry. This year will revolve around the hottest topics such as electromobility, energy efficiency, sustainability as well as the Internet of Things (IoT).

 What will RS Components be showcasing?

We want to help all engineers realise their big ideas, thats why at the RS Components stand in Hall A4, Stand 246, where we will be showing exactly how we can support millions of engineers, like you. On stand you will see demonstrations of our award-winning rapid prototyping tools and services, including DesignSpark Mechanical and DesignSpark PCB.  As well as design tools you can also find demonstrations of the latest products introduced to the RS product range. And if that's not enough you can even have a coffee and chat with Pete Wood, one of our DesignSpark Community Managers, to find out all about his latest exploits.

When and where is it?

Date: Tuesday November 11 to Friday November 14, 2014

Location: Messe München GmbH
              Messegelände
              D-81823 München
              Germany

This event is very easy to get to using public transport directly from the airport.

Venue opening times:

Tuesday - Thursday         09:00 - 18:00

Friday                             09:00 - 17:00

Where can I find out more?

Don't miss out, save up to 20% by ordering your tickets online today.

Visit the electronica2014 website to find out more about the event itself and who will be there.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks where we will be revealing more details about our on-stand attractions, competitions and prizes to be won.

(この記事は2014年9月末現在の記事になります）


NHKを始め各種メディアでも報道されているとおり、Lnuix上で一般的に使用されているシェルプログラミング「bash」で重大なセキュリティーホールが見つかりました。 Raspberry Piでも同様のbashを使用しているので対策が必要です。早急に対策を講じてください。特にビジネスで自社製品にRaspberry Pi の組み込みを検討されている方は、必ず対策を行ってください。具体的には以下のコマンドでbash を再インストールするだけです。

% sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade bash

詳細はIPAのこちらのページを参照してください。

This page explains where and how to get help and support for DesignSpark Mechanical software

We are here to help!

At RS Components we aim to deliver effortless customer experience by way of online support and being there when you need us. This is true for our product offer as well as the DesignSpark resources. We are here to assist you with any questions you might have and are keen to get your feedback.

1) I'm experiencing issues with my design or with the software

We are always on a lookout for your comments and feedback, this is what drives the future developments and enhancements. Tell us how long you've used the software for, what's your background and what are your impressions. It's important that you provide as much information as possible to enable others to effectively help you. We appreciate the time you take to send us your thoughts. If something is not right with your design, you spotted any bugs or have idas on how we can make the software better - please post them in our discussion Forums where our technical staff will pick them up. Before posting, please search DesignSpark Mechanical Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Tutorials and Forums to check if your question had been already asked by someone else and answer is already there. If you would rather get in direct contact with our Technical Support Engineer, please email DesignSparkMechanical@designspark.com

2) I don't want to report bugs or propose improvements but I like the software and want to tell RS Components Team and fellow Engineers about it!

We love hearing stories on how DesignSpark Mechanical helped you with your design efforts snd how it added to your company's success. It is the good words from our users that really motivate us to continue working hard to deliver the most valuable FREE 3D Design software experience to you. If you have an interesting story, why not to share with the community? If you would rather get in direct contact with us, please email DesignSparkMechanical@designspark.com

3) Working closer with the RS Components Team and being more involved in the software

DesignSpark Mechanical is evolving and we are using the community input to decide what we do next and where we focus. From this collaboration a group of distinctive 'power users' have emerged. These users help us testing new features and are working closer with the development team. To qualify you need to be active on Forums for some substantial time, this is the easiest way to prove you have sufficient knowledge of DSMech software and 3D Design. One of the key values we seek in our power users is good communication and 'community spirit', again something that can be demonstrated by activity on forums. If you feel you fit this profile, please drop us an email to introduce yourself. We don't take everyone on board right away but are happy to know of your interest. Email DesignSparkMechanical@designspark.com