Certain electronic applications may require circuits that can fit in a small space, may call for the layout such that the outputs and input pins line up in the enclosure. This can all be possible with custom Printed Circuit Boards(PCBs).
Custom PCBs can be used in industries, medical equipment, games, and various other applications. Makers also create fancy custom PCBs for keychains, making gamepads, making decorative pieces, etc. Industries use custom PCBs for verification. They add various indicators in the PCB design to validate the prototype.
When you design a custom PCB, you have complete control over your design. In other words, you have control over the placement of every component and every piece of copper on the PCB. This control not only allows you to create circuits of various shapes and sizes but also to create circuits with minimal parasitics. Moreover, for some designers, appearance matters, and custom PCBs look more professional.
But designing a custom PCB is not an easy task. First, an individual has to create an outline of the PCB in Adobe Illustrator or similar software. Then, import it into PCB designing software and create bare copper areas. Finally, one arranges the components and creates the final design. Budi Prakosa, Frontend Engineer at Codeme.co.id made an Inkspace extension for exporting drawings into a KiCad PCB. To use the extension, you need to add the extensions file in InkScape ‘s User Extensions and then draw the PCB.
For using this feature with Eagle, you need to use this svg to Eagle CAD converter
Following are the features of this Inkspace extension:
- Draw Any kind of shapes without restriction
- Supports Drill Pad, and custom drill size
- Supports Edge Cut (PCB Shape)
- Works on OSX, Windows, and Linux
Read more: AN INKSCAPE EXTENSION FOR EXPORTING DRAWINGS INTO A KICAD PCB
