More PCB Layout Examples

Learning the Microsoft Visio diagramming tool is just the start of an exciting journey in creating professional quality illustrations for your engineering work. You have the option of representing the same PCB using different approaches, just like the HP power supply module example found in my book, from this:

to this with more information:

You might think that only the pros are able to produce this kind of work fit for publication. But I can assure you that if you keep at it, you will only get better with time. Skill is something that is refined through constant practice. But you've got to start somewhere. Better still, if you have someone or a book to guide you along.

Laying Out the PCB Artwork

If you think Microsoft Visio is only good for doing flowcharts, organizational charts, or floor plans using its supplied stencils, I hope the earlier layout drawing will change your mind set. As far as I'm concerned, Visio does a pretty amazing job with 2D technical illustrations.

I won't go into details in my blog on describing the Visio workspace, how to configure its initial settings (user and developer modes, ruler and grids, guide lines and guide points, font, text, line and fill styles, etc.), the various quick maneuvering tricks (zooming, panning, scrolling) and manipulating objects (aligning, distributing, arraying, sizing and positioning). These are all covered adequately in my book.

For simplicity's sake, I use a simple example to illustrate the steps involved in creating a PCB layout of a SCSI host adapter, as shown below:

There are four specific steps to creating the PCB layout:

1. Prepare the drawing page

2. Draw the PCB outline

3. Create the component layout symbols

4. Populate the PCB

Each of these steps are also detailed in my book so that you'll be able to replicate exactly what I've drawn, using the X-Y coordinates and the size and position properties of each object that you create, including the SCSI connector itself. As you work through the exercises, you'll come to appreciate the beauty of breaking down a seemingly complex object into basic building blocks, and then assembling them together. You will also be taught how to create sophisticated objects such as the various SMT ICs (PLCC and its socket) and their footprints in a later part of the chapter.

You'll learn the trick of creating impressive PCB layout illustrations that are professional to look at and captivate your audience in your report presentation.

Why PCB Layout Diagram?

You may be wondering why you need a PCB layout diagram for doing RE work? Well, that depends on your style of working or preference. Some might think it's a hassle and prefer to just photocopy the PCB and use it as the basis to work on the schematics. I won't stop you from doing that, but allow me to give you a word of caution from my own experience—it'll get messy and confusing as you progress, and the less than ideal resolution of most photocopy printout might prove too much for your eyes, especially if the PCB is densely populated; also, if there are missing reference designators, you'll have to manually label them. And each time you screw up and need to redo the printout, it's going to be a perpetual pain you'd wish you had a decent layout diagram to print on demand.

A PCB layout diagram serves the following purposes:

1. Proper documentation of the PCB, including missing reference designators and additional data you might care to put in, such as the BOM side by side for quick reference.

2. Ease of locating specific components since it is in electronic form and therefore searchable even across multiple pages.

3. Facilitate marking (highlighting) of probed points to allow you to view your progress and cut down on repetitive probing, saving time and reducing wear or possible damage to the PCB.

Why Microsoft Visio?

As the blog URL suggests, I use Microsoft Visio for all my technical illustrations. It it the tool of choice for me ever since I first used it back in 1996. The versatility of this 2D diagramming software in terms of its functions and user interface makes it easy to learn compared to other CAD or CAE programs. This has to do with its initial design concept when the original maker (Shapeware) produced and marketed it in 1992. When Microsoft acquired it in 2000, Visio was given an overhaul and integrated with Microsoft Office. Though it suffered performance issues in the earlier Microsoft releases (as usual), from the 2007 version onward the software has become better in terms of usability and programmability with an improved smartshape structural definition.

Because Visio is a general vector-based graphics editor, it is suited for a wide variety of purposes, not just limited to flowcharts, processes or organizational hierarchies. It's multiple-page feature allows flat or hierarchical representation of schematics just like most CAE tools, less the steep learning curves and rigid component representations.

Besides the PCB layout diagram which you've just seen in the previous post, below is a full-blown schematic diagram of the DS203 nano mini digital storage oscilloscope which I've redrawn from the original using, you guess it, Visio:

This drawing, along with many more illustrations, will be featured in my upcoming book PCB-RE: Tools and Techniques, the sequel to The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering. It features many experts from different fields of the PCB-RE discipline, who will share their experiences and practices on the various aspects related to this niche topic. If you have bought and enjoyed reading my first book, then it might please you to know that the best is yet to come.

So keep a look out for its release in the not too distant future.

Creating a PCB Layout (Introduction)

The first thing you need to do after the preparation work (see the aforementioned ABCDs in my previous posts), is to create a PCB layout of the board you intend to reverse engineer on. The thought of creating a PCB layout, however, may seem daunting, especially to those who do not have the experience of using a CAD program. Consider the following example from my own portfolio:

Yeah, I know what you're thinking right now. Some of you might be thinking, "Wow! Is it possible for me to draw THAT?" Others might be contemplating about giving up the idea of doing reverse engineering, "You gotta be kidding! I could never do what you did even if I try..." Hopefully there'll be some who'll respond, "I like what I'm seeing and I'm gonna give it my best shot and see what I can come up with!"

Well, it's not as complicated as the first impression you might have. The book will show you how to create these professional PCB layout diagrams using Microsoft Visio, one of the best diagramming tool out there you can find. And believe me, in the process of learning how to use this amazing piece of software, you'll be able to create virtually any kind of engineering and artistic illustration your mind can imagine. And it gets even better: Visio has a hidden gem that many casual and frequent users often missed, avoid or overlooked - Smartshapes. This too is covered in the Advanced Topics of my book, which one reader commented:

Just received my copy of your book from Amazon. Amazing! This is going to be one of the most useful books I have ever bought. Visio has always been one of my favorite tools, and I would consider myself quite an expert, but you have shown me some wonderful new tricks!

Ken Howard

Configuration Manager

Wide Area and Space Surveillance Systems Program Office

Department of Defense | Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group