What is an anti-pad? An anti-pad refers to the area around a plated through-hole, which voids or restricts other signal traces that should not be connected to that particular through-hole. They are often added to avoid short-circuits between neighboring holes. How do we add anti-pads in Eagle? The only way to form a layout closer…
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What are QFN Packages?
QFN (quad flat no-lead) package is an IC component best used for programmable modules and microcomputers. It is also recommended to use this package for PCB designs with size, thickness and weight considerations. It is also known as quad micro leadframe package. Using QFN Packages Pros: Size and weight– It is a thin, compact package…
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Automated vs. Manually-Created CAD Models
Are software-generated CAD models better or worse than those created manually by engineers? What are the pros and cons of each development style? In this post, we list the pros and cons of each type of model, and then share SnapEDA’s development process. Manually-Created CAD Models Manually created models are made individually based on a…
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SnapEDA launches new 3D viewer
We’re excited to share that we have launched a new and improved 3D viewer for our parts. It allows engineers to preview 3D models available on SnapEDA before download. We’ve added three key features, based on feedback from our community. First, we’ve added dimensions to the viewer so that engineers can verify key measurements before…
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SnapEDA now supports Altium’s native .IntLib format
After lots of feedback from the SnapEDA community, we are excited to introduce a new, native Altium exporter! ✨ This exporter will make it more seamless to download Altium symbols & footprints into your designs. In a few clicks, you’ll get your symbols & footprints in their native *.intlib format. What this means for Altium designers Altium…
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Getting started with SnapEDA Part II: Using InstaBuild
In the second part our Getting Started guide, we’ll be showing you to how to use SnapEDA to speed up symbol & footprint creation when the exact part you need doesn’t yet exist in our library.
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SnapEDA updates KiCad footprint support!
After countless requests from the KiCad community, we are pleased to announce that SnapEDA is now supporting the latest KiCad footprint format! This is great news for KiCad users because this format, introduced in KiCad Version 4, brought many improvements that benefit our community starting today! These improvements include native-software support of slotted holes (oval…
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Why open hardware needs open software – and more from Wayne Stambaugh of KiCad
As KiCad’s lead developer, Wayne, and his team have a big vision – to build a best-in-breed PCB design tool. It’s an ambitious goal for an open-source project whose commercial counterparts have seen millions in investment. But KiCad is well on that path. An ever-increasing number of designers now use the PCB design tool. With…
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Over 100,000 new Samtec models now on SnapEDA!
We’re excited to announce that you can now find new symbols and footprints for over 100,000 Samtec products on SnapEDA! Founded in 1976, Samtec is a privately held, $713MM global manufacturer of a broad line of electronic interconnect solutions. They’re among the most in-demand connector manufacturers on SnapEDA. With these new symbols & footprints, designers can…
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You can now customize your InstaPart requests!
Great news for engineers who have custom requirements and preferences for their parts libraries. It is now possible to specify custom instructions when requesting a symbol and footprint on SnapEDA via our InstaPart service! This new feature is helpful when you want to deviate from the standards we use. For example, some engineers want “no…