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Post any tips, tricks, useful information, and if you need any help with ExpressPCB here is where to post it.

I like ExpressPCB because it's so simple.
Now if only was possible save files from the actual application as sized layouts!

I use the "print screen" key and the resize in photoshop.
I scanned a piece of perf at 100% to get a .1 grid as a template for spacing. Save at 300dpi

Here's how I resize ExpressPCB (and other) layouts in Photoshop

In ExpressPCB: (with your layout finished)
Make the image as large as you can on the screen while not cutting any off
Hit the Print screen key on your keyboard.

In Photoshop: select File>New and change to 300 DPI
Paste the file into the new window. (Control V)
Open the perf/grid template and copy/paste (Control C, Control V) into the layout trace window.
Select the template layer, right click, blending options. Slide the bar over until you get roughly 50% opacity and you can see the template behind the traces.
Click on the trace layer, and select it with the cursor.
Edit > transform > scale. Then drag the trace layer around until the ICs or transistor pads are within the right size dictated by the template spacing.
IC, transistor, resistor and Cap pads will fall into the grid spacings.
Take a look at the Express PCB grid and how it lines up with the parts to make sure you get the vertical and horizontal spacing correct.
This is hard to explain, hopefully it's understandable...

John

Why not turn on a 0.1" grid view and work to that instead of the matrix board scan?
Holding down the shift key when reascaling will lock the aspect ratio too.

S.

Well...because that would be too easy!
(Slinks away....)

I learned something today.

John

Hi,

someone has the file to have a switch 3 positions for expressSCH ? like this one

I didn't find it on internet.

THX

John Lyons wrote:I like ExpressPCB because it's so simple.
Now if only was possible save files from the actual application as sized layouts!

If you use a virtual pdf printer you have a pdf file with the pcb layout ready for print.

devastator wrote:Hi,

someone has the file to have a switch 3 positions for expressSCH ? like this one

I didn't find it on internet.

THX

It's easy to design any custom component yourself in ExpressSCH, so you can number the pins like you need it, I've made very much components myself in ExpressSCH and ExpressPCB, so if you want to know how to do it I can show you how to do it.
Salu2.

VERY NICE! I printed a layout in Cutepdf and sure enough it saves and prints in 100% scale.
Thanks for that nugget of information!

john