Remarks here assume you are using the default TinyCAD –
VeeCAD “package” setup.
I imported my netlist but all my components are “U” shaped.
- Did you use the special TinyCAD symbol libraries supplied with VeeCAD?
In the Help file see “Getting Started -> TinyCAD & VeeCAD”
to get TinyCAD and VeeCAD coordinated.
- In VeeCAD, go Netlist -> Import. Make sure the V_Standard.per library is
showing in the list with a checkmark beside it.
I imported my netlist but some components are “U” shaped.
- In TinyCAD, click each symbol and look at the Tool window. Is the Package
attribute present and set to a valid package name?
- Did you use TinyCAD symbol libraries from the Internet? These often have
missing or invalid Package attributes.
- TinyCAD libraries supplied with VeeCAD contain a few symbols with a blank
package attribute, mostly small capacitors. You will need to open the V_Standard.per
library and choose the correct Outline (Package) name.
I see red dots and red lines, but how do I connect up my parts in VeeCAD?
- Size the board so it’s nice and big. Your layout will squash down
later, but at the start you need the room.
- Drag unconnected parts to the bottom of your board, and VeeCAD will give
less confusing error symbols since it starts from the top left when evaluating
your board.
- Print your schematic if you can, so you know what connects to what.
- Position main parts like ICs as a starting point.
- If you have DIP ICs, put a column of breaks between the pins so they are
not shorted. Add links to join any IC pins that are in the same net.
Now gradually place small parts around the main parts.
- The red lines will help. You can fence off a section to the right of your
board with a vertical row of breaks (cuts) - any single part you place there
will show two red lines to help you see clearly what it connects to.
- If you have the full version, click the "trace nets" button down and click
any pin to highlight pins that are in the same net.
- The layout phase needs human creativity. Its a strange sort of game, but
humans are good at it.
- But let the computer help you, by remembering how the red dots are placed
- VeeCAD scans each strip segment from the left, and the first component pin
it meets becomes the "owner" of that segment and determines the net of that
segment. As VeeCAD scans further along, it puts a red dot on pins that don't
belong on that segment. So work left to right.
- Links (wires which join strips) can only own a strip if no pin is found -
and VeeCAD follows the net through links until it finds a connection to a strip
owned by a pin.
- All this means you can place one part and get a forest of red dots ! Don't
panic - work one part at a time.