DIY Layout Creator

[bmccowan]

I know that some of you contributors use diylc. I find it helpful when I am doing a point-to-point conversion of a PA or organ amp. But the component board options always seemed clunky. This morning I decided to stop being so lazy and look at the options for making a turret board type layout. I landed on starting in board layer with a blank board; resizing it; adding a solder pad; and copy/paste/snap them into position. Then switching to component layer and adding in components. By savings a simple board with typical components as a template, I can start there, rather than from scratch.
Its pretty damn easy, and looks just like a turret board, but I am curious if I am missing a better method, and/or what others do?
BTW, I'm using the newest version 3-40.
Thanks

[shooter]

I do something similar with Express SCH/PCB
once you have the basics for a start point moves along pretty easy - for "FREE" 

[bmccowan]

Thanks shooter - I should try Express sometime - I've been using Jschm for schematics. Typically "cheating" by taking a schematic similar to what I intend to build and modifying it, as I have limited patience on the computer before I start looking at Italian and British motorcycles for sale.

[shooter]

as I have limited patience on the computer

Yup, I need to be in  "the right frame of mind" 
large monitor, good tunes, left-handed beer, GO 

[pullshocks]

I downloaded DIY Layout Creator recently.  Pretty cool for a free program..


I've done schematics in Jschem, Express SCH but never tried to do a layout.  I have a hunch it would take less time than using DIY Layout Creator.  But DIYLC gives a more realistic visualization of the build.  I think I'll try doing the initial concept first in JSchem, Express SCH and then do it over in DIYLC to refine.