EasyEDA - Free Schematic & PCB Design + Simulation Software Review

**Article: A Comprehensive Review of Using EasyEDA for Designing a Tiny Boost Converter PCB**

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### Introduction to the Video and Project

In my latest video, I demonstrated the creation of the first prototype of my 80 tiny boost converter on perf boards. The results were so promising that I decided to design a more professional PCB for the circuit. While I usually rely on Eagle for such tasks, as I did with the PCB for my big seven-segment display, I wanted to explore other tools available in the market. One such tool is EasyEDA, a free online software that allows users to create schematics, PCBs, and even simulations. In this video, I took EasyEDA for a spin by designing my tiny boost converter PCB and simulating a few circuits.

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### Creating an Account and Starting a New Project

To begin with, I created a free account on the EasyEDA platform. This was straightforward and only required basic information. Once registered, I set up a new project folder specifically for my 80 tiny boost converter. The interface was user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through the various features.

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### Recreating the Schematic

The next step involved recreating the schematic of my circuit within EasyEDA. The software's library provided most of the necessary component symbols on the left side of the screen. I appreciated the convenience of having both US and EU versions of these symbols available, as I often prefer the European style. However, three components were missing in the end: the 80, 85, and two PCB terminals.

When faced with missing symbols, I explored my options. While I could create my own schematic symbols using the software, this would have been time-consuming. Thankfully, EasyEDA offers a feature that allows users to search for component symbols and packages online, utilizing designs created by other users. This proved invaluable when I found the 80 symbol in just five seconds, saving me from spending more time on creating it myself.

This collaborative aspect of EasyEDA is quite interesting. Users can view dozens of schematics and PCBs created by others, which they can use or modify for their own projects. While this feature took me slightly off track, it reinforced the value of such a resource-rich platform.

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### Completing the Schematic

After navigating the component library, I used the wiring tool to connect all the parts together. Adding the input voltage source completed the schematic. For me, it's also important to export an image file of the schematic for reference or printing. Although the default resolution was a bit low, I could export the schematic as an SVG file instead, which I later scaled up using Inkscape before printing.

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### Converting Schematic to PCB Layout

Converting the schematic into a PCB layout presented its own challenges. The package, or the physical size of each component, needed to be defined first. EasyEDA's library came in handy again, offering packages for the microcontroller, diode, MOSFET, and capacitors. However, I encountered an issue with resistors: while there were package designs available online, they couldn't be imported if a symbol design was included.

To resolve this, I utilized the integrated PCB Library designer within EasyEDA to create my own packages. Measuring the distance between two leads of a component and placing holes in the software was a simple process. While I could have been more meticulous in creating outlines for all components using the track tool, the overall experience remained quick and intuitive.

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### Finalizing the PCB Design

With packages defined, I placed all components on the board in a logical arrangement and connected them using the track tool. The parameters available during this process were limited but manageable, ensuring a pleasant experience. After widening the main power rails, I used the copper area tool to create ground areas, completing the PCB design.

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### Simulation Features

Finally, I explored the simulation capabilities of EasyEDA. Starting with a simple RC filter, I connected a voltage source, resistor, and capacitor, attaching voltage probes to both input and output. Selecting AC analysis and defining the frequency band yielded expected results in a graph. I also tested an astable multivibrator circuit, finding the simulation features reminiscent of programs like LC Spice, as EasyEDA is based on NG Spice.

While the output graphs were not always user-friendly, the ability to export results as CSV files provided a workaround. This feature made it easier to analyze data in more familiar spreadsheet software.

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### Conclusion

Reflecting on my experience with EasyEDA, I found it to be a comprehensive tool that offers everything needed to turn a schematic into a PCB layout without overwhelming users with unnecessary features. The platform's tutorials are well-written, making it accessible even for those new to circuit design. While there were minor drawbacks, such as issues with importing resistor packages and the complexity of graph interpretation, these did not detract significantly from the overall experience.

For anyone looking to explore PCB design and simulation without investing in expensive software, I highly recommend giving EasyEDA a try. With its free account option and extensive library, it's a valuable resource for hobbyists and professionals alike.

As always, thank you for watching. Stay creative, and I'll see you next time!

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enin my latest video I showed you how I created the first prototype of my 80 tiny boost converter on a perf ports since then I've been doing various tests with the circuits and the results turned out better than I expected that is why I want to design a more professional PCB for the circuit usually I would use the program Eagle to do that just like I did with the PCB I designed for my big seven segment display but there also exist other useful programs out there that can do this task like for example easy Eda it is a free online software that allows you to create schematics pcbs and even simulations for your desired circuits so in this video I will give the software A Try by designing my tiny boost converter PCB and finally simulating a couple of circuits let's get started first off I created a free account and afterwards a new project folder for the 80 tiny boost converter next I needed to recreate my schematic in the software which was pretty easy to do since the easy Eda Library offers most of the necessary component symbols on the left side of the screen not only is this layout convenient but they also offer the US and EU version of the symbols which I I like because most of the time I'm not a fan of the US symbols but three components were still missing in the end the 80 85 and two PCB terminals now I could create my own schematic symbols for them with the software but there is an easier way which is my favorite feature of the software you can actually search for component symbols and packages online and use designs that other users created this way I found my 80 tiny in 5 seconds instead of wasting a minute or to to make my own symbol and this whole sharing designs and projects concept is rather interesting because you can have a look at dozens of schematics and pcbs other users created and best of all you can use them as well or modify them for your own project but we are getting off topic here I finished my schematic by using the wiring tool to connect all of the parts together and finally added the input voltage source to complete it for me it is also important that I can export an image file of the schematic which the software also supports but the resolution of the image is a bit too small thankfully though you can also export it as an SVG file this way I can increase its size with inkscape and then print it out next I wanted to convert the schematic into a PCB layout which is not possible yet because the package aka the actual physical size of the components is not defined yet for that easyeda offers a decently sized Library as well in which I found the package for the microcontroller the diode the mosfet and the capacitors and even though there are package designs for resistors online I was not capable of importing them when there is a symol design included as well that was a bit weird but when there's only a package design available you can easily import that and use it for the remaining components I used the integrated PCB Library designer to create my own package it can be as simple as measuring the distance between two leads of a component and placing two holes in the software and when I'm not super lazy I also use the track tool to create an outline for the parts again the process was quick and intuitive and afterwards I was finally capable of creating the PCB without any error messages I then placed all the components on my board in a logical Arrangement and used the track tool to connect them with one another the given parameters that I can change during this process are not too many and thus not overwhelming which resulted in a pleasant experience at least for me after I increased the width of the main power rails I use the copper area tool to create the ground area and just like that the PCB is done now I could either export the Gerber files of this design or simply use the PCP fabrication service of easy Eda which offers reasonable prices at last let's have a look at the simulation part of the software here I built up up a simple opest filter with a voltage source a resistor and capacitor and attach the voltage probe to the input and output after selecting the AC analysis and defining the frequency band I got my expected results presented in a graph I also tried another simulation as well with an aabal multivibrator and if you're thinking to yourself this all looks similar to the program LC spice then you are partly correct it is based on NG spice and works very well the only negative aspect is that the output graph is not that easy to work with but you can always export the results as a CSV file and with that being said let's bring this review to an end do I like the program yes it offers everything you need to turn your schematic into a PCB layout without overwhelming you with too many information they also offer a well-written tutorial about every aspect of the software so why not have a look for yourself as always thanks for watching watching stay creative and I will see you next timein my latest video I showed you how I created the first prototype of my 80 tiny boost converter on a perf ports since then I've been doing various tests with the circuits and the results turned out better than I expected that is why I want to design a more professional PCB for the circuit usually I would use the program Eagle to do that just like I did with the PCB I designed for my big seven segment display but there also exist other useful programs out there that can do this task like for example easy Eda it is a free online software that allows you to create schematics pcbs and even simulations for your desired circuits so in this video I will give the software A Try by designing my tiny boost converter PCB and finally simulating a couple of circuits let's get started first off I created a free account and afterwards a new project folder for the 80 tiny boost converter next I needed to recreate my schematic in the software which was pretty easy to do since the easy Eda Library offers most of the necessary component symbols on the left side of the screen not only is this layout convenient but they also offer the US and EU version of the symbols which I I like because most of the time I'm not a fan of the US symbols but three components were still missing in the end the 80 85 and two PCB terminals now I could create my own schematic symbols for them with the software but there is an easier way which is my favorite feature of the software you can actually search for component symbols and packages online and use designs that other users created this way I found my 80 tiny in 5 seconds instead of wasting a minute or to to make my own symbol and this whole sharing designs and projects concept is rather interesting because you can have a look at dozens of schematics and pcbs other users created and best of all you can use them as well or modify them for your own project but we are getting off topic here I finished my schematic by using the wiring tool to connect all of the parts together and finally added the input voltage source to complete it for me it is also important that I can export an image file of the schematic which the software also supports but the resolution of the image is a bit too small thankfully though you can also export it as an SVG file this way I can increase its size with inkscape and then print it out next I wanted to convert the schematic into a PCB layout which is not possible yet because the package aka the actual physical size of the components is not defined yet for that easyeda offers a decently sized Library as well in which I found the package for the microcontroller the diode the mosfet and the capacitors and even though there are package designs for resistors online I was not capable of importing them when there is a symol design included as well that was a bit weird but when there's only a package design available you can easily import that and use it for the remaining components I used the integrated PCB Library designer to create my own package it can be as simple as measuring the distance between two leads of a component and placing two holes in the software and when I'm not super lazy I also use the track tool to create an outline for the parts again the process was quick and intuitive and afterwards I was finally capable of creating the PCB without any error messages I then placed all the components on my board in a logical Arrangement and used the track tool to connect them with one another the given parameters that I can change during this process are not too many and thus not overwhelming which resulted in a pleasant experience at least for me after I increased the width of the main power rails I use the copper area tool to create the ground area and just like that the PCB is done now I could either export the Gerber files of this design or simply use the PCP fabrication service of easy Eda which offers reasonable prices at last let's have a look at the simulation part of the software here I built up up a simple opest filter with a voltage source a resistor and capacitor and attach the voltage probe to the input and output after selecting the AC analysis and defining the frequency band I got my expected results presented in a graph I also tried another simulation as well with an aabal multivibrator and if you're thinking to yourself this all looks similar to the program LC spice then you are partly correct it is based on NG spice and works very well the only negative aspect is that the output graph is not that easy to work with but you can always export the results as a CSV file and with that being said let's bring this review to an end do I like the program yes it offers everything you need to turn your schematic into a PCB layout without overwhelming you with too many information they also offer a well-written tutorial about every aspect of the software so why not have a look for yourself as always thanks for watching watching stay creative and I will see you next time