University of Illinois - Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Electronics Services Shop

Eagle

We accept Gerber files generated with Cadsoft's Eagle Layout Editor. A freeware version of Eagle is available which allows the creation of two-layer boards up to 4 x 3.2 inches in size. Almost everyone uses Eagle for these PCBs.

A Note On Eagle Versions: Eagle has freeware and professional versions. The freeware version limits your board to 2 layers and a maximum size of about 3.5 by 4.5 inches. The computers in the Senior Design Lab have the professional version allowing larger boards and more layers. The problem is, the pro version in the Senior Design Lab is usually considerably older than the latest freeware version available on the Cadsoft web site. This means that if you create a board using the latest freeware version, you will not then be able to edit in on the computers in Senior Design, which would allow you to expand the board size and number of layers. So, if you want a freeware version of Eagle on your own machine, it would be better to download the older freeware version matching the version in the Senior Design lab. Old versions are available on the Cadsoft web site here.

Include the following files in your PCB submission email:

  1. Top layer (component side) ("*.cmp")
  2. Bottom Layer (solder side) ("*.sol")
  3. Board outline ("*.bol")
  4. Drill file ("*.drd")

Instructions for producing the above files:

  1. Download this Eagle CAM Job File.
  2. Unzip the file into the directory "Eagle/cam". If you don't have write permission in this directory on your machine, you can unzip it somewhere else.
  3. From the Eagle board editor (NOT the schematic editor), do "File, CAM Processor, File, Open, Job, and select "gerb274xECEShop.cam" (the file you just downloaded and unzipped).
  4. You don't need to change anything in the menus; just hit the "Process Job" button.
  5. The files listed above should now be in the same directory with your board files. Email them to me using the instructions here.

There are good Eagle tutorials on YouTube.

Parts Library: Here is an Eagle parts library file I created that contains footprints for XB modules, DIP relays, and parts we have in the shop like PCB-mount 3.5mm jacks and breadboard pushbuttons.

Autorouter Parameters: If you insist on using Eagle's Autorouter function, please download the Design Rules and Autorouter parameters files here, then follow the instructions for using them instead of using the Eagle defaults.

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