@queenidog, Welcome to EasyEDA. "I can't find the DRC.  Only when I generate a Gerber file does it ask if I want DRC check." Please read the Tutorial.  "I can't find how to add ratlines.  Can you add ratlines from PCB, or only from SCH?" Please read (2.2) in: [https://easyeda\.com/andyfierman/Welcome\_to\_EasyEDA\-31e1288f882e49e582699b8eb7fe9b1f](https://easyeda.com/andyfierman/Welcome_to_EasyEDA-31e1288f882e49e582699b8eb7fe9b1f) [https://easyeda\.com/forum/topic/The\_best\_way\_to\_design\_a\_PCB\_in\_EasyEDA\-ThR3pwqIC](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/The_best_way_to_design_a_PCB_in_EasyEDA-ThR3pwqIC) and: [https://easyeda\.com/forum/topic/How\_does\_the\_Connect\_Pad\_to\_Pad\_tool\_work\_\-JgQO0Ay7H](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/How_does_the_Connect_Pad_to_Pad_tool_work_-JgQO0Ay7H) "Should have REAL Help, with Table of Contents, Index, and Search  (Eg I could search "DRC Check")" "Your FAQs are too long and too many.  They are not in any order.  Who has time to search every time we have a question?" Please use the Search tool at the top right of the forum page:   Also see the animated gif my reply to peternarbus in: [https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/How-to-ask-for-help-and-get-an-answer-71b17a40d15442349eaecbfae083e46a](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/How-to-ask-for-help-and-get-an-answer-71b17a40d15442349eaecbfae083e46a) "Printing should have an option to change background or use a "contrast Layer".   My screen is black background but I don't want to print black over such a big area to save on toner, so I have to change backgrounds (and other colors) just so I can do a check print." For schematics:  For PCBs, use Export > PDF:  "Where do Gerbers go?  I don't know.   Generated them 4 times, can't find the files.  There is no message to say Gerber files were created, or where." They are downloaded to your local machine into your preferred folder for downloads. For more, please read: [https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/How-to-ask-for-help-and-get-an-answer-71b17a40d15442349eaecbfae083e46a](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/How-to-ask-for-help-and-get-an-answer-71b17a40d15442349eaecbfae083e46a) :)

* Instead of "Please Save First", why doesn't the program just SAVE the file as necessary and display a message saying so? SECONDED ! Or at least a dialog asking "Do you want to save this file and then do the action - YES  NO"

@MikeDB Instead of "Please Save First", we make this action for keeping your file at the editor and the server's file are the same.

The "Format Painter", it is a nice feature, EAGLE support this function, we will think about it, thank you

I looked at the replies to my suggestion about ratlines and the DRC and went to the sections provided in the links.  Nothing there to answer my question.   I see the DRC is supposed to be "real time".   Well, I created an error, saw it listed on the left panel, then removed the error.   The error listing did not go away, so it is not "real time".  I had to refresh.  I would prefer a menu item that said "Run DRC" like DipTrace does. I still don't know if I can draw ratlines directly on a PCB layout, no schematic. I don't know where the GERBER files go when I say Generate Gerber.

Ah yes, I see the Gerbers now with a very cryptic filename instead of anything related to my filename.   It got lost in between all my 3D print downloads.  We should have an option on where to store them.  I like to store everything in my project file where I have schematics, PCBs, drawings, photos, videos, 3D prints, Excel Data files.

@queenidog If you are using this in chrome, it's the chrome browser settings that are preventing you from choosing the save file name. It's not cryptic, it's "Gerber_\_\" If you use the standalone EasyEDA desktop client it always asks for file name. In reference to DRC checking and ratlines. You have to have a schematic in order to have ratlines. They are enabled by default. For DRC, it picks up in realtime, clearance errors. Via and trace size violations, in accordance with your DRC rules will be checked when you click refresh on the DRC Errors item inside Design Manager.

Gerber\_\(PCB\_NAME\)\_\(DATE/TIME\)

@queenidog, * The forum topic that I pointed you to: [https://easyeda\.com/forum/topic/How\_does\_the\_Connect\_Pad\_to\_Pad\_tool\_work\_\-JgQO0Ay7H](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/How_does_the_Connect_Pad_to_Pad_tool_work_-JgQO0Ay7H) describes _exactly_ how to draw ratlines directly in a PCB without first having to create a schematic. This is the Connect Pad-to-Pad-tool:  * Section (2.2) in: [https://easyeda\.com/andyfierman/Welcome\_to\_EasyEDA\-31e1288f882e49e582699b8eb7fe9b1f](https://easyeda.com/andyfierman/Welcome_to_EasyEDA-31e1288f882e49e582699b8eb7fe9b1f) and: [https://easyeda\.com/forum/topic/The\_best\_way\_to\_design\_a\_PCB\_in\_EasyEDA\-ThR3pwqIC](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/The_best_way_to_design_a_PCB_in_EasyEDA-ThR3pwqIC) explain why, at least in EasyEDA, it is not a good idea to create a pcb without first creating a properly documented schematic from which that OCB is generated using the **Create PCB...** button in the Schematic Editor.

Okay, now I see the icon, but I can't make it work!   I put 4 pads down, selected "pad to pad", made sure it had a color that was visible on black background, selected it, asked to "display it", then tried to draw lines. Nothing I did, click-hold-drag or click-drag worked.  No lines.   To make PCB traces, very easy, just do what I was doing trying to make ratlines! I'll have to keep diggin'. Meanwhile I tried the schematic editor and see here where a conversion to PCB creates the ratlines.   That's good. FYI, I often design backwards: make a PCB based on hand-drawn  schematic, or just by having the spec sheets of the components in front of me.  I make a schematic later only for documentation purposes.   Then it becomes a "as-built" schematic.   But I can see converting to PCB is pretty slick, better than my previous EDA so I might go that route.   Thanks for your help.

@queenidog, You cannot just put pads down and connect them using the Connect Pad to Pad tool. You can only use it to join the pads of PCB footprints that you have placed. Did you not read the post that I have twice already pointed you to that gives an explantion of how to use the Connect Pad to Pad tool? ============= * The forum topic that I pointed you to: [https://easyeda\.com/forum/topic/How\_does\_the\_Connect\_Pad\_to\_Pad\_tool\_work\_\-JgQO0Ay7H](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/How_does_the_Connect_Pad_to_Pad_tool_work_-JgQO0Ay7H) describes _exactly_ how to draw ratlines directly in a PCB without first having to create a schematic. ============= "FYI, I often design backwards: make a PCB based on hand-drawn  schematic, or just by having the spec sheets of the components in front of me.  I make a schematic later only for documentation purposes.   Then it becomes a "as-built" schematic.   But I can see converting to PCB is pretty slick, better than my previous EDA so I might go that route. " Did you also not read: ============= * Section (2.2) in: [https://easyeda\.com/andyfierman/Welcome\_to\_EasyEDA\-31e1288f882e49e582699b8eb7fe9b1f](https://easyeda.com/andyfierman/Welcome_to_EasyEDA-31e1288f882e49e582699b8eb7fe9b1f) and: [https://easyeda\.com/forum/topic/The\_best\_way\_to\_design\_a\_PCB\_in\_EasyEDA\-ThR3pwqIC](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/The_best_way_to_design_a_PCB_in_EasyEDA-ThR3pwqIC) =============

@queenidog, BTW, I don't think [OrCAD](https://www.orcad.com/about/orcad-history) was the first EDA tool ever created: "OrCAD History 1985 - Founded OrCAD® was founded in 1985 by John Durbetaki, Ken Seymour, and Keith Seymour as “OrCAD Systems Corporation” in Hillsboro, Oregon. A supplier of desktop electronic design automation (EDA) software, the name OrCAD was a reflection of the company’s focus and the software’s origins: Oregon + CAD. The company's first product was SDT (Schematic Design Tools), which first shipped late in 1985." [Vutrax](http://www.vutrax.co.uk/) predates it by a few years: "The product was the first EDA package offered for personal computers, having a pedigree back to 1981 when it was created for use by in-house draughtsmen." Arguably, companies such as Calma and Daisy Systems were even earlier but running on mainframes: [https://en\.wikipedia\.org/wiki/List\_of\_EDA\_companies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_EDA_companies) (Defunct companies) :)

HP had an internal system that ran on their 9800 personal computers before the IBM PC existed as well.

Hmm, I don't know how I missed that!  It  very clearly says it doesn't work pad to pad but does for footprints. I read your other two links, more or less.  I don't care, I have a system.   Laying down PCB first I have the exact footprint in front of me.  I l have MUCH better layouts than any autorouter can make...I haven't found one that does it correctly the first time.  For complex circuits, I MIGHT start with autorouter, but none of the ones I've ever used were any good.  Maybe EasyEDA is better. Thanks for your comments. BTW, looked at list of EDA companies.  I used Protel, Eagle, Orcad, Proteus, Pads, DipTrace (last one) CadSoft and one not mentioned in list: Autotrax by Kovac software.  I used Autocad for general drafting and currently use their Tinkercad for 3D.

"I have MUCH better layouts than any autorouter can make...I haven't found one that does it correctly the first time.  For complex circuits, I MIGHT start with autorouter, but none of the ones I've ever used were any good." I wasn't suggesting that you should use or rely on the autorouter. The point is that the design flow of most schematic capture and pcb design EDA software starts with the schematic capture and then moves into PCB layout. EasyEDA is no exception to this as the Design Flow in the Tutorial shows. If you're happy doing your design work back to front then that's fine but you should be aware that you may encounter a number of issues and difficulties in resolving them because of that.