New EasyEDA Component

Creating New Components in EasyEDA.

Abstract: This page provides a step by step guide to generating a new component in EasyEDA. The target componet will be a Buck Regulator.

Audience: Designers who use EasyEDA to create PCBs and need to create a component that is not available in the library.

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Introduction

This page will give a detailed description in creating a new component in EasyEDA. A possible reference is https://www.devzoneoriginal.com/2020/07/make-custom-partpcb-schematics-in.html.

In my case I chose to use as my target device a buck regulator.** The process is very general, basically all that is required are the board dimensions and the pin definitions.

I purchased mine from Banggood. https://www.banggood.com/10Pcs-Mini-DC-Adjustable-Power-Supply-Buck-Module-Step-Down-Module-p-999753.html?rmmds=myorder&cur_warehouse=CN

**EasyEDA does have several Buck Regulators as part of their contributed libraries but I decided it was a simple first time project. EasyEDA warns users of contributed components that they are contributed and users use them at their own risk. In the case of Buck Regulators there are a range of contributed variants some with different footprints.

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Step 1:

To create a new component it will be necessary to Log into EasyEDA.

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Step 2.

On the start up screen select NewProject.

Step 3.

In the new window enter the title and description of the new project and hit save. (Sample answers given)

Step 4.

On pressing save EasyEDA will obtain a blank sheet (Sheet1 of Buck Regulator Project.)**

** In the screen shot across the Tools have been moved for convenience in diagram.

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Step 5.

From the EasyEDA menu select File-->New--> Footprint.

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Step 6.

EasyEDA will now present the footprint screen.

Step 7.

The next step is to start creating the footprint. Use the mouse wheel to adjust grid to a suitable size. By default the grid is 0.1in or 2.54mm.

The size of the Buck Regulator is 6 units by 3 3/4 units. That is it's not on the standard grid in one dimension. Add to top layer 4 pads (6 units by 3 3/4 units)

Note if zoom in will see numbering. I've chosen to start at lower left and move anti-clockwise. These numbers will need to match the symbol to be created later**.

**Note there is one mistake in above snippet. A rectangular pad should be used for pin 1. In Pad Properties select shape Rectangular.

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Step 8.

The work should be saved frequently. For the first time it will be necessary to complete the following table. (Sample answers given)

Step 9.

To complete the footprint use the footprint tools to add an outline (box) plus labels (Text). Mechanically to add a label place "Text" 6 times in the desired location and then use the Text properties in right hand panel to modify/edit 6 times. (The snippet shows one edit to go- "TEXT" to become "OUT+")**

**Users may wish to add additional information to the footprint. For example voltage ranges and maximum current. Or possibly an indication of the orientation (The screw adjust location).

Step 10.

Save the footprint.

Step 10 is to draw the symbol that links to the footprint. In the menu select File-->New-->Symbol .

Step 11.

On the blank sheet draw rectangle to represent the Buck Regulator and add 4 pins in the same sequence as in the footprint**. (It will be necessary to flip pins 2 and 3.)

**Each pin appears to have 2 numbers. The remote "number" is called a Name while the number by the component is its actual number.

Step 12.

Add label for the component and rename the Name(remote number) from a number to text. I choose to display only names. I left the numbers that were on the edge of the box but choose not to display them. My final symbol is as across:

Step 13.

Save the symbol**

After trying to save will obtain the following box SaveAsSymbol (Some fields require an entry - I'm not sure any are important for a personal project)

**Will probably get message that the origin is not in correct location - let EasyEDA look after that then try to save again.

Step 14**.

This step will combine the symbol with the footprint.

In the EasyEDA menu select Tools -->Footprint Manager - will get summary of pins etc.

Then use "Select-->Work Space -- Left click on down arrow in Tags will get screen with MyLibraries.

Select All.

** It's at this point that I had some troubles - mainly I couldn't back track and obtain the same screen to obtain a screen shot. I now had a new project just straight BUCK to obtain screen shots.

Step 15.

Hit Update and EasyEDA will link the symbol and footprint as per the screen shot. **

** It is important that the numbering on both the symbol and footprint is the same. Pin 1 on the symbol will be linked to pin 1 on the footprint (numbers on pins/pads only seen by zooming in). If numbers do not match, they can be edited. Note if the component contains any mounting holes these will have numbers also so in the case of the buck regulator these should be numbered from 5 upwards.

** In a later project I wished to use several occurrences of the new component. It appeared I had to go through this procedure for all occurrences. When trying to develop a PCB layout there will be an error message associated with each occurrence. Click on component and add footprint as across.

Step 16.

The work should be saved. A new component has been created and located in "My Libraries".

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Using the Component (BUCK/BUCK_REGULATOR)

To use the component in a project. Select Library, classes Work Space and My Libraries. The new component is now available to use.**

**It appears you will need to be logged in

Selecting Buck will give a description, the symbol and footprint.

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Conclusion

As a first project this took me less than 3 hours, including a partial write up and taking all the screen shots. A second project, without write-ups etc should take no longer than 20 to 30 minutes.

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