CAD for Breadboard and PCB - Help getting organized!

[Ed from TX]

Hi everyone!

I just got stated with embedded and I suppose my starter project it is a bit big. It is a universal testing machine and uses over 30 of the Teensy pins plus there are other surrounding ICs and components plus a USB interface to a force gauge. I'm finding the breadboard wiring a bit overwhelming and I'm just getting started.

For example, in the picture attached I tried to represent a 54HTC125. The CAD part shows each port separately and has no physical correspondence with the package. The PCB does what PCSs do so that is not the issue. But I'm left without a physical representation of the breadboard. Without one it very quickly starts to look like a bow of spaghetti.

Is there a CAD program where we can have a physical representation of the breadboard so that I can look at it and "feel" confident that the circuit diagram, the breadboard, and the PCB represent the same truth?

Also attached a pic of the breadboard. I did get the display + touch + LVGL working. But when I started hooking up the motor and other stuff, I decided to pull out everything and try to get some method behind the madness. I'm still missing a rotary encoder for axis jogging which is in the mail. Plus, I decided to go SMD (SOIC) because it is hard to find some of the stuff through-hole. So, the new ICs and new SMD discrete components and the SOIC to DIP little board adapters are all in the mail.

 

[TomChiron]

There is software like

Cirkit Designer IDE

Cirkit Designer IDE is an all-in-one circuit design tool that helps you create and share electronic circuits with ease.

app.cirkitdesigner.com

Circuit Design App for Makers- circuito.io

Seamless circuit design for your project. circuito.io is an online tool for designing electronic circuits. Select your component combination and instantly get a detailed list of parts, a step-by-step wiring guide and custom test code for your circuit.

www.circuito.io

... and others
maybe that helps?

 

[Ed from TX]

There is software like

Cirkit Designer IDE

Cirkit Designer IDE is an all-in-one circuit design tool that helps you create and share electronic circuits with ease.

app.cirkitdesigner.com

Circuit Design App for Makers- circuito.io

Seamless circuit design for your project. circuito.io is an online tool for designing electronic circuits. Select your component combination and instantly get a detailed list of parts, a step-by-step wiring guide and custom test code for your circuit.

www.circuito.io

... and others
maybe that helps?

Cool. I’ll check it out!

 

[MarkT]

Treat the schematic as the single point of truth and build up the breadboard circuit from it, perhaps crossing-off nets from a printed schematic as you go to avoid missing anything?

You can build up a wiring diagram the same way on squared paper or a relevant CAD tool (Fritzing used to be a popular option for this, though most beginners didn't know the difference between a schematic diagram and a wiring diagram and abused it for the former).

Always double-check every connection when constructing complex circuits otherwise you will get frustrated when things don't work (or worse release the magic smoke).

If you can build and test subsections individually do so.

 

[KenHahn]

For wiring a semi-permanent breadboard setup, I recommend using the U-shaped jumpers like shown below that lay close to the board. The wire is heavier duty 22AWG and provides more solid connections.

While a little more trouble to initially install than the regular breadboard jumpers that you have, they make it easier to trace the wiring, are less likely to get bumped and have intermittent connections and they don't create as much of a rats nest.

They can also help to keep wiring runs shorter if you are running higher speeds since they can be cut and stripped to the length needed rather than using 4" or 8" wires everywhere.

 

[Ed from TX]

Then there is this guy

What I have done so far is to 3d print some helpers like this one

I also ordered some smd-to-dip for 0604 an 0805 capacitors and resistors of different shapes so that things like debouncing stay all in the same row.

Will consider the solid wires, but the flexible ones have been liberating.

Will set aside a few hours tomorrow to try a few of the different CADs suggested

 

[Ed from TX]

It took me most of the afternoon to get KiCad hooked up to github so that I could version control my project + "integrating" it with Mouser which is where I'm getting my parts (to ensure I get the right sockets, etc). Not sure which of the 2 was worse.

Brutal, nothing "just works" LOL

 

[Ed from TX]

Still waiting on ICs and stuff. Meanwhile I got the mechanical parts in and 3d printed the inputs for the switches and stuff. That is giving me a sense of order on the breadboard