Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are at the heart of modern electronic devices, from smartphones to home automation systems. However, designing and testing these intricate systems has traditionally been a task reserved for specialized software and steep learning curves. Enter tscircuit, a revolutionary, open-source tool that brings modern web development methodologies into the world of electronics design.

What is a tscircuit?

tscircuit is a next-generation electronics design platform that leverages the power of React and TypeScript to create a code-centric environment for PCB design. By allowing designers to build circuits using React components, tscircuit not only streamlines the design process but also offers unprecedented modularity and reusability. This approach transforms traditional PCB design into an interactive, dynamic process that can be managed entirely from your browser.

Key Features

Code-Based Design

Unlike conventional PCB design tools, tscircuit lets you define every circuit element using React components. This means you can build complex, modular designs that are easy to modify and scale. The code-driven approach encourages best practices in software development, such as version control and reusability, making it a perfect fit for both hobbyists and professional engineers.

Comprehensive Toolchain

tscircuit isn’t just about creating schematics; it integrates a full suite of tools that includes:

  • Library & Registry: Easily access a broad array of electronic components.
  • Package Manager & CLI: Manage your projects efficiently and streamline deployment.
  • AI-Driven Design Suite: Optimize your designs with intelligent suggestions and automation.

Automatic Layout and Routing

The platform features automatic part selection, autorouting, and layout generation, dramatically reducing the time and effort needed to transition from a schematic to a manufacturable PCB layout. This minimizes manual errors and helps ensure that your design is production-ready.

3D Visualization

Before committing your design to manufacturing, tscircuit allows you to generate a 3D model of your PCB. This powerful visualization tool provides a realistic preview, enabling you to spot potential design flaws and refine your layout with confidence.

Fabrication File Generation

Once your design is perfected, tscircuit can generate all the necessary fabrication files (like Gerber files), ensuring a smooth handoff to manufacturers. This feature closes the loop between design and production, saving you time and reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes.

Getting Started with tscircuit

Getting started with tscircuit is straightforward. Follow these steps to begin your journey into PCB design and simulation:

tscircuit home-page

1. Sign Up & Access the Editor

  1. Visit tscircuit and sign up to create a new account.
  2. Once logged in, navigate to the Editor to start working on your first circuit.

2. Create a New Circuit

  1. In the Editor, select Blank Circuit Board to create a new design from scratch. Blank Circuit
  2. tscircuit also provides pre-built demo circuits to explore and modify.

3. Run the Code

  1. The platform offers some code to help you quickly understand how circuits function.
  2. You can edit the code and see how it affects the circuit simulation. Demo Code

4. Testing & Manufacturing Your PCB

Once you've made changes to your circuit, it's time to test and prepare it for manufacturing.

Apply & Test Changes

  1. After making modifications, click the Run button to apply your changes.
  2. Use the different views PCB, Schematic, and 3D Render to verify that everything is correctly aligned and functioning as expected. 3D render view

5. Prepare for Manufacturing

  • Once you're satisfied with your design, click the Download button to export the fabrication files.
  • These files contain all the necessary details for manufacturing your PCB. PCB Files

Official Documentation

The tscircuit documentation is an invaluable resource. It offers comprehensive guides, tutorials, and examples, from setting up your environment to advanced design strategies. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced designer, the documentation has something for everyone.

Conclusion

tscircuit is more than just a PCB design tool it’s a modern, code-centric platform that revolutionizes how we approach electronics design and simulation. With its rich feature set, from automatic layout generation to 3D visualization and fabrication file export, tscircuit offers a streamlined workflow that saves time and reduces errors. Whether you’re a hobbyist venturing into the world of PCB design or a professional engineer looking to modernize your workflow, tscircuit provides the tools and community support to bring your electronic projects to life.