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7 Design Files
The design files for the sync board and VGA adapter board consist of two files for each:
One is the ExpressPCB design file with extension of .pcb. This file contains, aside from data that's incomprehensible here, five layers: top copper, bottom copper, silk screen, and top and bottom solder masks. Below are ten screen captures -- five each -- of the sync and VGA adapter circuit boards. These were created with a nifty shareware screen capture program called "5 clicks" from www.screen-capture.net. Only four layers are shown here (the top solder mask is missing, since it's identical to the bottom, except it's red instead of green). Figures 46 and 51 are composites of top and bottom copper, and the silkscreen.
The other file is the schematic, which was created in Visio Technical on Windows 98. This file was used to generate the jpeg schematic files in sections 4 and 6. What can it be used for? Probably nothing, unless you have a copy of Visio and want to make changes for your own use.
7.1 Sync Board PCB Artwork Layers
Figure 46 Combined View of Sync Board Artwork Layers
Figure 47 Sync Board Artwork - Top Copper
Figure 48 Sync Board Artwork - Bottom Copper
Figure 49 Sync Board Artwork - Silkscreen
Figure 50 Sync Board Artwork - Soldermask
The ExpressPCB artwork file for the sync board is here: sync_board.pcb
The Visio schematic file for the sync board is here: sync_board.vsd
7.2 VGA Adapter Board PCB Artwork Layers
Figure 51 Combined View of VGA Adapter Artwork Layers
Figure 52 VGA Adapter Artwork - Top Copper
Figure 53 VGA Adapter Artwork - Bottom Copper
Figure 54 VGA Adapter Artwork - Silkscreen
Figure 55 VGA Adapter Artwork - Soldermask
The ExpressPCB artwork file for the VGA adapter board is here: vga_adapter.pcb
The Visio schematic file for the VGA adapter board is here: vga_adapter.vsd
Figures 51 and 54 were created with a slightly modified vga_adapter.pcb file to allow text to be viewed. The .pcb file available above is the original.
7.3 Using PCB Artwork Files
ExpressPCB is a PCB design program freely available for downloads from www.expresspcb.com. The current version is 3.3.0, and includes a companion program for schematic capture, called ExpressSCH, which wasn't available at the start of the project.
The schematic program's library of available components is understandably small, but there is a facility to create new components.
Back to pcb design.
First, download and install ExpressPCB on your PC. Next, save the sync_board.pcb and vga_adapter.pcb design files to some relevant directory.
Then, with the files in place, invoke ExpressPCB (click on a desktop icon, click on the entry in the start menu, or whatever other method you prefer). Once the program opens go to the menu bar and click file, and then open, browse to the location of your files, and select the file you want. The file is then loaded into the center window.
Click on layout to get menus for computing board cost, ordering boards from ExpressPCB over the Internet, and generating plot a file for manual (snailmail) ordering.
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