Hello World: Design PCBs with Fritzing

Step 1: Breadboard Layout

• Open Fritzing
• Add components to the workspace
• Click and drag to add wires
• Change wire colors
• Add bend points to wires by clicking & dragging

Bonus: Take a screenshot or save as image file--helpful for sharing projects or documenting your work.

Step 2: Design the PCB

1. Click the PCB tab
2. Route wires so the traces don't cross

• Drag dotted lines to make traces
• Right click trace to move trace between layers
• Right click bend point to make a via, which connects the two layers
• Click on bendpoints or connection points to see where the trace travels

<strong>3. Resize the board</strong>
<ul>
  <li>Drag corners of the board</li>
</ul>

<strong>4. Adjust the text</strong>
<ul>
  <li>Click the component, you'll see dotted lines around the component</li>
  <li>Drag label to reposition</li>
  <li>Right click to change rotation</li>
  <li>Double click to change the text</li>
</ul>

Additional Options

Routing options

• Design rule check: always use this before sending PCB to fab
• Autorouter/design rule settings
• Autoroute: I don't use this much

View options

• Set Grid Size
• Align to Grid: snaps wires/components to the grid

Step 3. Export Gerber File

• Click arrow next to "Export to PCB"
• Click "Extended Gerber"
• Zip all Gerber Files for uploading to PCB factory

Step 4. Order PCBs from a Service Provider

I like OSHPark. They are a bit slow (~2 weeks to Seattle), but very cheap for small boards ($5/inch2).