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Via or Pad

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PeterKevin 4 years ago

Hello all. I am not a professional or even an electronic student. I am 50+ and work as a computer operator. Currently I do not have any job (should I say thanks to Corona Virus) and so I have spent some time doing hobby electronics I find on YouTube. I am doing a PCB for the first time - my only experience - I tried etching one from the PCB layout I found on another site (about using ATMEGA328P as a standalone) and it was successful. That inspired me to try out different things. Now, I cannot do those double-sided PCBs (as I am not any professional or expert). I did a schematic for the RGB Cube 4x4x4 Matrix and it was all good after I followed instructions at [https://aglick.com/charliecube.html](https://aglick.com/charliecube.html) The only problem I found that there were too many wires. So I tried doing a PCB. And this is where I am stuck. When I used EasyEda (desktop version) it generated a two layer PCB. And sadly, if I try etching it, I am certain, I will fail (not to mention that these 2-sided copper plated boards are expensive for a jobless person). So though I wanted to risk, my situation does not permit. So I am trying it out with a single layer. ![Via or Pad.png](//image.easyeda.com/pullimage/SIefA2jJV5muWUvBiTy8YKpOVYoqBPPhOsRuxYsW.png) Above is a screenshot of my current PCB (though not complete). Please have a look at those red boxes. What I want to accomplish is - I would add some thin wire on those positions to complete the wiring. I also saw on a YouTube video that I can use the cut-wires from earlier use of resistors. As of now, I have used Via for those ends. But I am not sure if they are the right tool to use. There is also something called Pads which seem to be of a larger dimension - can make it easy for my 1mm hand drill bit. What are the differences between the two and what would be a better solution. I know (after reading) technically, neither is required, and I can just place a 1pin jumper at those ends - as I will be soldering wires.

Firefox 81.0 Windows 10 EasyEDA 6.4.5

Comments

andyfierman 4 years ago

Don't use vias for links. Use pads. Better still just put down a footprint for any old leaded resistor or 2 pin header and in either case just not fit them and then use you wire end off-cuts to make the links. This might help explain the difference: [https://easyeda\.com/andyfierman/Elements\_of\_a\_simple\_PCB\-e42c7b2a4e17449f821a97d04806aeeb](https://easyeda.com/andyfierman/Elements_of_a_simple_PCB-e42c7b2a4e17449f821a97d04806aeeb) I don't know from your post if you are creating the pcb from a schematic or directly into the PCB Editor. We recommend always starting by creating a properly constructed schematic because in the long run it saves a lot of work and grief compared to working directly in the PCB Editor. If you really don't want to do it that way then please read these topics: [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) [https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/Understanding-Ratlines-371bdbf646c54b23a57451eb05b2026d](https://easyeda.com/forum/topic/Understanding-Ratlines-371bdbf646c54b23a57451eb05b2026d) I'd also recommend you read (2.2), (4) and (6) (especially if you do direct to PCB design!) in (2) 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) As far as the cost of PCBs goes, have you tried getting a quote for one by passing a PCB from EasyEDA into the JLCPCB quote and order process? You may be pleasantly surprised. Given the excellent quality of their PCBs you may be able to work out a way of recouping the cost of the boards by selling some of them as kits. Questions? Just ask! :)

Chrome 84.0.4147.105 Linux EasyEDA 6.4.7

PeterKevin 4 years ago

@andyfierman Thank you so very much for taking out your precious time to resond. > I don't know from your post if you are creating the pcb from a schematic > or directly into the PCB Editor. We recommend always starting by > creating a properly constructed schematic because in the long run it > saves a lot of work and grief compared to working directly in the PCB > Editor. The first time I did use the schematic and when I generated the PCB it was double layered (I came to know later, after reading, that EasyEda and other tools for this task generate the double layered PCBs). As I could not build/etch this double layered one, I started doing my PCB (in PCB Editor) from whatever came in after the generation of the PCB (from the first time). I only removed all the wires, selected the bottom layer and started connecting the pieces. > Better still just put down a footprint for any old leaded resistor or 2 > pin header and in either case just not fit them and then use you wire > end off-cuts to make the links. As I was writing out the question here, I realized the same would be easier and that is why I also added it up as an option at the end of my post above. > As far as the cost of PCBs goes, have you tried getting a quote for one > by passing a PCB from EasyEDA into the JLCPCB quote and order process? > You may be pleasantly surprised. For sure, I have this plan. Most of the YouTube videos that I have watched, have praised the PCB quality of JLCPCB and this is the primary reason I selected EasyEda (though some had recommended using Eagle or even Fritzing as I am not a professional). But sadly, right now, India is not importing anything from anywhere (for the common public) due to the restrictions for Corona. But for sure, I am up for this as this is what can help me make some money as well. Thank you for those links. I will be reading those all as I am sure, these are going to be of use to me. Stay safe.

Firefox 81.0 Windows 10 EasyEDA 6.4.5

andyfierman 4 years ago

"The first time I did use the schematic and when I generated the PCB it was double layered..." You are free to route on only one layer and you need to read: [https://docs.easyeda.com/en/PCB/Layer-Manager/index.html#Layout-Single-Layer-PCB](https://docs.easyeda.com/en/PCB/Layer-Manager/index.html#Layout-Single-Layer-PCB) which is part of the main Tutorial, (1) in (2) 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) "But sadly, right now, India is not importing anything from anywhere (for the common public) due to the restrictions for Corona." If you do the design in EasyEDA, you are not locked into having them made by JLCPCB. You are free to download the Gerbers so if you have a local board fab company, you can get them done in India.

Chrome 85.0.4183.121 Windows 10 EasyEDA 6.4.7

PeterKevin 4 years ago

@andyfierman > If you do the design in EasyEDA, you are not locked into having them > made by JLCPCB. You are free to download the Gerbers so if you have a > local board fab company, you can get them done in India. There are at least two here in India who do PCB for provided Gerbers (I could locate only two online, that claim to work; though, there are some more but are closed for now. As there is no rush at my end, I think I can wait.

Firefox 81.0 Windows 10 EasyEDA 6.4.5

你现在访问的是EasyEDA海外版，建议访问速度更快的国内版 https://lceda.cn(需要重新注册)
如果需要转移工程请在个人中心 - 工程 - 工程高级设置 - 下载工程，下载后在https://lceda.cn/editor 打开保存即可。
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