Snap Grid setting

[jojokeo]

Just a quick question on this feature. I've got a pretty good handle on the program but I don't understand the "snap grid" setting feature and whenever the window pops up about it, I just turn it off or say "no". What's it for and does it help or not? Thanks-

[tubenit]

I've used SCH for yrs on both computers and never had that happen. I don't know what snap grid is?

With respect, Tubenit

[LooseChange]

Snap grid is there to help you line things up. I set mine at .0625. This way all my 1/8" eyelet holes can be centered and in line for template drilling.  I find the snap feature to be indespensible when it comes to laying out chassis and face plates. All my drawings are to scale and exact proportions.
Take a look at the attached example.

[NEjoe]

I like snap grid when doing an initial layout.  On the expressSCH program it is found under the tab View then options.  What snap grid does is it automatically moves your cursor to the nearest grid edge, so it makes it much easier to align parts and keep the wire placement straight.  Think...very grainy digital where you snap from one location to the next one.

It's pretty useful so it's a common feature on many CAD programs.  I tend to shut it off when I have to move text or part designations. 

I actually hadn't considered what to set the snap at, I've just been leaving it at the 0.05 default, but .0625 makes more sense for translation to the physical world.

[jojokeo]

I've used SCH for yrs on both computers and never had that happen. I don't know what snap grid is?

  you're using it and just don't know it then as it happens all the time if I'm opening up one of your many helpful examples or drawings.

Snap grid is there to help you line things up. I set mine at .0625. This way all my 1/8" eyelet holes can...

Thanks LC, I didn't know it could be used for actual layouts and faceplates! The .0625 then means it's set to snap at 1/16" increments.

It's pretty useful so it's a common feature on many CAD programs.  I tend to shut it off when I have to move text or part designations.

Another thing good to know! Thanks

*I only have a couple of things for an upgrade suggestion (if that's possible?), but there should be an "undo" option for sure. 

[Willabe]

but there should be an "undo" option for sure.  

I take it you mean for more than your last step? You can undo your last step, it's the little arrow point that's shaft is a circle shape at the top of the page in the tool bar, right under the "view" button.

If you look at the very bottom left of the .sch page, there's an on/off toggle button (2 red dots) that you can click with your mouse pointer and it also will tell you what the snap-grid is set to. Go to the help section found at the top left of the page for more detailed info/instructions.

Very nice layout work LC!


                 Brad            

[LooseChange]

Thanks Brad.
I've beeen using sch for a long time. I like it, understand it's shortcomings and it is free.
My wish list is to be able draw the wires in color... Would be very helpful for layouts.

[Willabe]

My wish list is to be able draw the wires in color... Would be very helpful for layouts.

Yeah that would be nice for layouts, I'd  sure use it, but like you sad it's free and when your sitting at someone else's table, you greatfull for what they sever.  

I find that for me it's the layout drawing's that it is the most help with, without it I don't think I would get any where with a "new" one. I've got a drafting board, but come on that would take for ever, at least for me.   
 
I've been working with it for a month or so now and I feel pretty good with it now. I finaly figured out I can send my drawing to the paint program and size/crop and post it here.                   I can't for the life of me belive I did'nt buy a computer a long time ago, I bought this one about a year or so ago. All in all I'm not doin too bad with it.    


            Brad        

[LooseChange]

Here is another example... This is printed actual size, layed on the board material, center punched and drilled. That's why I use the snap feature.

[jojokeo]

My wish list is to be able draw the wires in color... Would be very helpful for layouts.

You can!!! 

Click on the wire icon on the left, then look up to the tool bar (under the title bar) and you'll see a square "A" icon that you can change color with! This also applies for many other things too.

For my board layouts, I also discovered that you can click on the wire that's already there - by right clicking and select "front or back" and the wire will lay on top or under you components which can be helpful also when you export to jpg or pdf files for better viewing.

[DummyLoad]

.025" snap and .025 grid.

also works /w parts created in metric.

--DL

[jojokeo]

Snap grid is there to help you line things up. I set mine at .0625. This way all my 1/8" eyelet holes can be centered and in line for template drilling.  I find the snap feature to be indespensible when it comes to laying out chassis and face plates. All my drawings are to scale and exact proportions.
Take a look at the attached example.

LC, I need you to clear this up please?
Based on your faceplate example:
1) according to your snap grid setting, it shows snap set for .5mm & grid @ 5mm but not .0625?
2) then I went to page properties - it states that the user defined setting is width = 312mm and height = 180mm. - however the page can be set by the drop down menu here and there's settings for standard, legal, ledger, etc...sized pages, but the document is not set for any of these settings.
3) I then exported the file into a pdf, from there I went to document properties and it shows the page size = 12.28" x 7.09" so how then is the faceplate "actual size"?
4) do you print this on legal size paper and it just turns out to be okay?

[LooseChange]

You can!!! 

Click on the wire icon on the left, then look up to the tool bar (under the title bar) and you'll see a square "A" icon that you can change color with! This also applies for many other things too.

I can't.. We talking about the same program? Express?

[Willabe]

I can't.. We talking about the same program? Express?

He's in JSchem not Express.

           Brad    

[LooseChange]

I've ben uploading Express SCH files.  IMO, I do like SCH better. Sorry about the confusion.

[jojokeo]

Sorry, didn't know there was a diff btwn the two, thoght one in the same.

[Willabe]

Sorry, didn't know there was a diff btwn the two, thoght one in the same.

There very close. I was playin with JSchm and I forget why I decided to use express. I think I'm going to look at JSchm again.

              Brad       

[EL34]

I have noticed on a bunch of the .sch drawings I have downloaded that people don't use it.
You can tell because the wires are not in a straight line.

I never draw without using the snap to grid.
Using the Snap to grid is the only way to make things line up correctly when drawing in CAD programs.

I use different grid size settings depending an what I am drawing.
I use as small as .01 sometimes.

I do turn it off sometimes do to certain things but then I turn it back on.

[Willabe]

Now I remember, JSchem is only in metric.

Also, I could'nt figure out how to down load Dougs custom componants into JSchem.   


             Brad       

[jojokeo]

I have noticed on a bunch of the .sch drawings I have downloaded that people don't use it.
You can tell because the wires are not in a straight line.

Doug, is there much if any difference btwn the two programs?
Since I've been getting familiar and have already built a fairly substantial custom library in jsch will the express sch program use the same files/components? Is one better, easier, or offer more or better tools and functions over the other?

[Heinz]

Doug, is there much if any difference btwn the two programs?

The major difference between the two is that Expresssch is Windows only. I created JSchem as a cross-platform replacement for Expresssch. It runs on Windows, Linux and Mac OS. JSchem is basically a "clone" of Expresssch but has some little extras, e.g. PDF export, colors, component attributes and different languages. Expresssch uses a proprietary encrypted file format. JSchem can import these files (component files and schematics) but cannot write them. So you can only import files in one direction. JSchem files cannot be imported into Expresssch.

JSchem is free software under the GPL, Expresssch is owned and maintained by ExpressPCB.

[Willabe]

Heinz,

Thank you for your generosity in creating JSchem to share it with everyone for free. That kind of thing is going by the way side more and more. You've help a lot of builders by doing this.

 I do have a question/request, I was wondering if you could make it so we can layout the grid and parts in inches not just metric? Also if the grid snap (on/off) toggle button could be added to the bottom left of the page? This would be very helpfull, at least to me.

Maybe it's already able to do this, but I can't figure it out.      


             Thanks again,       Brad    

  

[jojokeo]

Heinz,

Thank you for your generosity in creating JSchem to share it with everyone for free.

+1 Heinz - I've only began to use it for a month or two and it is very easy to get used to. I have created quite a custom library that not only has made it easier and faster as each new schematic is made, with the ease and quickness to modify or make corrections, but has also made my old fashioned drawings by-hand go the way of the dinosaur. Furthermore, the exporting feature is outstanding, small in file size, and is very professional looking. A big winner all the way around. I'm glad I'm using the jsch as it turns out to be the right decision - (by luck). A big kudos to you and thanks again!

[EL34]

Doug, is there much if any difference btwn the two programs?

Sorry, did not see your question, Heinz took care of it.

I didn't know anyway.  

I hardly ever draw schematics but when I do I usually fire up Express sch because I am used to it.
I have used Jschem also.

I prefer to to use my CAD program for drawing Hoffman board layouts because I can set up the snap grid with different horizontal and vertical snap settings.

Neither Express sch or Jschem can do that.

I would use Jschem if Heinz would add a non square grid feature.

[Heinz]

I started working on the non-square grid a few months ago but my new hobby is now 16 months old, has two legs and runs all over the place. There's not a second of spare time left for other tasks. I wonder if I'll ever finish JSchem

[EL34]

Understood, a two legged hobby takes up a ton of time.