video on Bald Engineer

Eight KiCad 8 features I like

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:23:38 +0000

KiCad 8 just dropped. Here’s an AddOhms video covering eight must-try features! The February 2024 release brings a whole host of new stuff to the Schematic editor. However, the PCB editor, CLI, and Simulation tools also received attention. (There are something like 900 closed issues for the 8.0.0 Milestone!) Which of these is your favorite? In the video, I cover: Property Manager Panel (is now everywhere) A fix for Symbol pin or wire end off connection grid! Easily access alternate pin functions (on symbols with them) Pin Helpers save time Edit Power Symbols (instead of creating new library parts) Net Navigator and Search panels help with large schematics Improved custom polygon tools in PCB (Combined) Teardrop support and Length-Tuning improvements This AddOhms post covers my top 8 in more detail. Or, you could just watch the video!

Watch this video on YouTube

"Post your code" to the style of "Let it Be"

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:00:06 +0000

A friendly reminder video to everyone asking for help in a programming forum. Lately I’ve been looking for ways to expand on the content in the AddOhms YouTube channel. One of the thoughts I had were taking some of the hard engineering lessons and turning them into a “Public Service Announcement”. You know, like those short films that would run on TV after school or NBC’s famous " The More You Know." Not something so dry, but something at least a little entertaining.

AddOhms #10: BJTs as Transistors

Fri, 09 May 2014 11:30:15 +0000

Every Addohms project follows the same pattern. About 80% of my original idea makes it into the video while the remaining 20% I make up on the fly. Of course, when I do that, I spend 80% of my time on that 20%. AddOhms #10 on BJTs is no different.

AddOhms #7 - Comparing Arduino and Raspberry Pi

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 12:00:59 +0000

The seventh AddOhms TutorialCast has gone “live”. (Gone “uploaded” sounds wrong.) Being able to understand difference between an Arduino and a Pi is a critical point for many new electronics hobbyist. The boards seem so similar, but they are so different. AddOhms #7: Comparing the Arduino and Raspberry Pi Full Episode Notes are available on the Episode’s homepage.

AddOhms #6: Analog and Digital

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 12:52:09 +0000

It isn’t always clear what is meant by calling a device or a signal “analog” and “digital”. This AddOhms tutorial explains the difference between analog and digital by using an analogy to clocks. Old-school clocks with hands are a great example of “analog” while alarm clocks with digits as their display are an excellent example of “digital”.

A new series on AddOhms, Electronics basics, starting with: Voltage, Current, and Power Explained.

Sat, 13 Jul 2013 00:53:31 +0000

Starting with this new AddOhms TutorialCast series, we are taking a look at Electronics Basics. The first topic is on the differences between Voltage, Current, and Power. The twist on this explanation is that we are not using the usual “electricity is like water” analogy engineers seem to love. Instead, we just use plain language to explain the difference between these concepts. From a production point of view, I am really having fun with these videos. Using some green card stock, imagination, and easy to use tools, I am able to achieve some pretty cool effects. Well, I think they are pretty cool. Check out this screen shot from Final Cut Pro X.

EAGLE Tutorial: Copy and Paste

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 23:34:30 +0000

The concept of “cut copy and paste” goes back to a time when people hand wrote all of their documents. The modern concept was introduced to the computing world by Xerox PARC and Apple’s Lisa / Macintosh Now nearly every piece of software offers some level of copying and pasting, including CadSoft’s EAGLE Schematic and PCB software. Unlike a text editor or illustration program, EAGLE implements copy and paste is literally a little bit backwards. This video explains how to copy single elements in an EAGLE schematic as well as copy entire groups of elements.

Simple Effect using Chromokey and Final Cut Pro X

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:30:58 +0000

Editing video has been something I enjoyed doing since High School. There I used my first tape-based NLE video system to make a Jeopardy episode where I played both a contestant and the host. In the skit I got into an argument with myself. Of course that was long before tools like Final Cut, After Effects, or even digital video cameras existed. Now anyone can do cheap effects for fun.

Long Overdue LaunchPad Review

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 14:13:26 +0000

Recently I realized most of my projects were all Arduino-based. There are lots of other prototyping platforms available in the market, and the TI LaunchPad, based on the MSP430 is one of them. In fact, I have had one of these boards sitting in my box of stuff ever since they came out. At $5, they because an impulse purchase when I was buying some other stuff.

Updated Eagle Tutorial

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:26:09 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I posted an EAGLE Tutorial on creating Ground Planes. That tutorial has now been updated with the above YouTube video showing the steps. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to make it more clear.

EAGLE: Ground Plane (Polygon) Fills

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:05:46 +0000

Creating PCBs in Eagle is a straight-forward process once you understand how EAGLE works. In fact, most users can get up to speed enough to draw a Schematic and then layout a simple PCB. Making the connections between components is not only fun but can be a form of artwork.

Video Tutorial: Buttons and Pull-Ups

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:20:26 +0000

This is a 4-minute video version of the Arduino Pull-Up Tutorial: