EAGLE CAD CHEATSHEET

Useful EAGLECAD things

Codes are typed in the command window below the first toolbar

Making Bill of Materials

Example excel spreadsheet is in \doc\PCB, free components from PCB train also there. From the SCHEMATIC type run bom and choose Parts and CSV options. Then import the resultant .csv into excel by choosing "From Text" under "get external data" on the data tab. Use semicolon delimiter (even though it supposed to comma separated). Then delete the parts you are not going to use/hand solder, and add the Farnell codes along with indications if it PCB TRAIN FREE STOCK. Complete the "number of unique components" formula by ctr-shift+enter when editing formula.

Making Pick and Place Data

Example Excel spreadsheet in \doc\PCB. On the Board View use run mountsmd which generates ###.mnt and ##.mnb for the top and bottom layers respectively. Then import into excel as "space delimited" data, make sure "treat consecutive delimiters as one". Copy part numbers from BOM and delete parts you gonna hand solder

Making Gerber files

I used the sfe-gerb274.cam file from sparkfun. but I added the layers tName and bName to the silkscreens. You can check the gerbers make sense here.

3D Gerber viewer [here] (http://mayhewlabs.com/3dpcb) or offline one here

Gerber Layer explanation here

Making custom library parts

Good general guide: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-custom-library-part-in-Eagle-CAD-too/?ALLSTEPS

related - how to give multiple pins the same name: http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/05/30/how-to-create-eagle-parts-with-pins-that-have-the-same-name/

Misc commmands

• run length in board mode check length of all nets, and most importantly show unrouted amount
• run renumber-sheet in schematic - renumber all parts from x/y coords
• run name allows changing name of things even to names that exist. has to be used to rename polygons and vias
• rats ! GND will hide the airwires for GND
• rats GND will show them again
• display none unrouted will turn off all display layers, except for airwires. Useful for finding unrouted connections.
• display last returns the display to previous settings.
• RATSNEST; RIPUP @; rips up only polygons
• change group package:

- Select all the components on the schematic
- type in "CHANGE PACKAGE '####'" into the command line.
- right click on the group somewhere and select "CHANGE GROUP" 

Guides I used

Sparkfun ones here here and here