What software are you using now for layouts and schematics?

[Mike_J]

I have a computer that I inherited from my daughter. Actually I originally bought it for her but she needed something bigger so she got a monster of a laptop.


The laptop I received from my daughter has AutoCAD 2020, Revit 2020 and 3ds Max 2020 on it. Hopefully something can be done with one of these programs to make decent layouts and schematics. Computer also has Office 365 on it but only with Word and Excel. My older computer has Office 2007 with Visio on it which I have used in the past but it is approaching ancient. Could break down and get Visio added if that is what everyone is using.


Thanks
Mike

[EL34]

All that info is here on the forum
https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=26.0

[Mike_J]

All that info is here on the forum
https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=26.0

Thanks much.

[Mike_J]

All that info is here on the forum
https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=26.0

This is better than average. Would allow me to tinker for as long as I need to get the board the way I want it. Exactly what I am doing now with turret and G10. Advantage is my board won't look like swiss cheese when I am finished. Once it is done send it over to you to drill and populate with turrets.


Do about the same thing with faceplates and back plates. Use a program to design them and email it to a local printer who prints it on vinyl covered by a protecting clear cover. When he is finished I just drive to his shop and pick it up. You would send me my board in the mail.

[Mike_J]

Know how I am going to do my 124 project.


Thanks
Mike

[T Wilcox]

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34254

Current discussion at TAG

[PRR]

.... Office 2007 with Visio on it which I have used in the past but it is approaching ancient....

This house, including a book author, is still Office 2003.

The schematic simulator is March 2000.

[Mike_J]

.... Office 2007 with Visio on it which I have used in the past but it is approaching ancient....

This house, including a book author, is still Office 2003.

The schematic simulator is March 2000.

Have something to be thankful for. At least it is not that ancient. We use what we have and try to make the best of it. I actually like the Visio program. Just haven't used it in a while. Will spend time with Doug's program because I do want him to start making my boards.


Thank you for the responses you give. I find them to be thoughtful and informative.

[Mike_J]

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34254

Current discussion at TAG

Thank you for the heads up. Probably will be a few months until I get to the 124 project. Have been making a career out of my current rebuild.

[Sonny ReVerb]

This house, including a book author, is still Office 2003.

The schematic simulator is March 2000.

Well, that is pretty modern. The kids still use slates at the schoolhouse in Maine, don't they?   

I use Visio for layouts/schematics and CorelDraw for face plates.

[PharmRock]

I started using DIYLC recently...little bit of a learning curve, but its free and there's a lot of folks who share their component libraries (e.g. Hoffman, Robinette). 

CorelDraw is great for faceplates.  Since I'm in the education business I can get the full version sort of cheap.  I just recently upgraded to the 2020 version after 10 years of using the other X4 suite which was no longer compatible with my OS.  Designed my panels and sent them off to PrecisionDesign and Sandy did a great job. 

[Mike_J]

I started using DIYLC recently...little bit of a learning curve, but its free and there's a lot of folks who share their component libraries (e.g. Hoffman, Robinette). 

CorelDraw is great for faceplates.  Since I'm in the education business I can get the full version sort of cheap.  I just recently upgraded to the 2020 version after 10 years of using the other X4 suite which was no longer compatible with my OS.  Designed my panels and sent them off to PrecisionDesign and Sandy did a great job.

I have used Inkscape. It ends up being a laminated vinyl sheet which has glue on the back. Take the paper off spray the chassis with a little water with a small amount of dish soap and I have a faceplate or back plate.


What does PrecisionDesign send you back? I am going to redo all my amps. Will use DIYLC and Doug’s boards. Will hopefully keep me from hacking away at it.

[PharmRock]

What does PrecisionDesign send you back? I am going to redo all my amps. Will use DIYLC and Doug’s boards. Will hopefully keep me from hacking away at it.

After I sent my CorelDraw files, we talked on the phone to discuss the project files, the next day she made some corrections for line thickness and a couple of minor tweaks, then e-mailed back PDFs for final approval. 

You could probably use any vector-based drawing program to design the panels.  Most of these will save as corel or adobe files anyways. 

I ordered the reverse-engraved Gold plexi panels.  But she has many different options.  She has a pretty good gallery on her website just for amplifier control panels. http://www.precisiondesignin.com/

[Mike_J]

What does PrecisionDesign send you back? I am going to redo all my amps. Will use DIYLC and Doug’s boards. Will hopefully keep me from hacking away at it.

After I sent my CorelDraw files, we talked on the phone to discuss the project files, the next day she made some corrections for line thickness and a couple of minor tweaks, then e-mailed back PDFs for final approval. 

You could probably use any vector-based drawing program to design the panels.  Most of these will save as corel or adobe files anyways. 

I ordered the reverse-engraved Gold plexi panels.  But she has many different options.  She has a pretty good gallery on her website just for amplifier control panels. http://www.precisiondesignin.com/

She does good work and it doesn't look like the panels are too thick. You don't have trouble with input jacks do you?


Thanks
Mike

[scstill]

I have used Scheme-it somewhat successfully.
Saves projects online and has a nice library.
The edit function has some quirks but once you get the hang of it seems ok.
https://www.digikey.com/en/resources/design-tools/schemeit

[PharmRock]

She does good work and it doesn't look like the panels are too thick. You don't have trouble with input jacks do you?

I did run into this problem on a recent build, and that was mainly due to the aluminum chassis being very thick to begin with. It wasn't anything that kept me from mounting the hardware, I just wasn't able to use the toothed washers as I had hoped.

Also, the reverse-etched plexi panels are generally a little thicker than the front-engraved panels, at least in my experience.  You could always email her and ask for thickness measurements.