3 ms·
You were probably responding to me. The schematic, even in image form, is the source as far as my experience goes. No, it isn't turnkey, but the schematic (in
by sliverstorm 12y ago
You were probably responding to me.
The schematic, even in image form, is the source as far as my experience goes. No, it isn't turnkey, but the schematic (in CAD file format or not) is the design. Everything after that is primarily implementation- more analogous to modern day compilers and linkers, IMO.
Even if they gave you layout files, they would likely be both a pain, and not very useful. Like getting someone else's *.o files. You probably won't be using the same tools, and you probably won't have the same boardhouse, the same parts... I didn't really come to grips with how incredibly nonstandard (or maybe just incredibly varied) parts footprints are until I made my first >100 part count SMD board. It quickly became clear why companies develop their own parts libraries, and why they cling ferociously to existing vendors, supply lines, and specific parts.
Suppose I gave you an article/paper in a proprietary file format you can't convert, with a font you don't have, painstakingly arranged for a paper size you've never heard of, in color gradients your printer can't resolve, that uses features only a couple printers can print. Would that be helpful? Me, I'd rather just get the raw .txt file and .jpg's...