Using Viso for Layouts...

[Paul-in-KC]

All,

I'm sure this has been discussed a bunch on here - but I didn't have any luck finding what I was looking for in a few searches - so, here goes...

It seems like the tool used to make the beautiful layouts that I find here (like this https://tubeamparchive.com/download/fil ... &mode=view) Is Microsoft Visio. (I am not a Viso user - so, please bear with me) Assuming that's correct, I presume one would have to spend some time building up "representations" of things like Pots, switches, transformers, jacks, capacitors, etc. In order to build up an illustration (i.e. make a layout).

Is Visio the tool that has been used to create these beautiful layouts? And do people here share Visio "objects" (the stuff you build layouts with)? I have no idea what I am talking about with respect to Visio, but I am a software engineer (Medical Imaging) by trade - so, can imagine what it would have to do.

I am working on my first Dumble build - planning to something of a hybrid circuit. Really just minor rework to add a Master Volume & Presence control (along with NFB) to the "Generic 3rd Gen 50W Low-Plate Classic circuit already posted.

I am creating a schematic in "Eagle" and want to do a Layout. I think it really helps to look at everything that closely (enough to create a schematic and layout). Plus - it may be something that someone else is interested in doing.

Many thinks for the info in advance - I know you guys will let me know what's up

-Paul

[pompeiisneaks]

I added sluckey's visio stuff to mine and have been able to use that pretty effectively:

Go to: http://sluckeyamps.com/

and at the bottom is a link to a zip file of his shapes. grab them and use em! I'd be happy to have any others people have around here as well. Might not be a bad idea for a sticky.

~Phil

[sluckey]

Visio was used to create that layout drawing. I use Visio Pro to create all schematics and layout drawings on my website. Visio Pro contains a built-in arsenal of "shapes" for most engineering professions. I use the electrical engineering shapes to create all my schematics. And I made my own custom components shapes for the layouts. You will find a pdf document at the bottom of each of my project pages with a schematic/layout drawing. All the shapes seen in my layout drawings are available for download from my website.

The custom component shapes you see in that particular drawing as well as the custom components in my layouts , ie, tube sockets capacitors fuse holders, etc., were made from common shapes found in Visio. Then they were saved to a custom stencil sheet to be used over and over.

All of my custom components are actual size so you don't have to guess how they will fit into a real layout. In fact, you can use my board layout as a drill template to actually make the board. Here's a pic of a Visio component board and the actual board as an example...

[Paul-in-KC]

I added sluckey's visio stuff to mine and have been able to use that pretty effectively:

Go to: http://sluckeyamps.com/

and at the bottom is a link to a zip file of his shapes. grab them and use em! I'd be happy to have any others people have around here as well. Might not be a bad idea for a sticky.

~Phil

Thank you Phil! (and sluckey)!

[Paul-in-KC]

Visio was used to create that layout drawing. I use Visio Pro to create all schematics and layout drawings on my website. Visio Pro contains a built-in arsenal of "shapes" for most engineering professions. I use the electrical engineering shapes to create all my schematics. And I made my own custom components shapes for the layouts. You will find a pdf document at the bottom of each of my project pages with a schematic/layout drawing. All the shapes seen in my layout drawings are available for download from my website.

The custom component shapes you see in that particular drawing as well as the custom components in my layouts , ie, tube sockets capacitors fuse holders, etc., were made from common shapes found in Visio. Then they were saved to a custom stencil sheet to be used over and over.

All of my custom components are actual size so you don't have to guess how they will fit into a real layout. In fact, you can use my board layout as a drill template to actually make the board. Here's a pic of a Visio component board and the actual board as an example...

Thank you sluckey!

-Paul

[Paul-in-KC]

So, it looks like $480 is (about) the lowest price I can find on a legit license for 2016 Pro (Visio). Will the standard edition work well for what I want?

i.e. creating layouts and using some the work shared by sluckey?

As someone that earns a living writing software, I wont buy any of the "irregular" licenses for sale at 90% off (because they aren't legit - even if they work).

I would love to take advantage of the great work already done - but $500-ish is probably more than I am going to spend for the app - unless I go full-time building amps (and that's unlikely for while - if ever).

-Paul

[xtian]

And I use Adobe Illustrator to do the same thing. So if you want a library of vector (AI or EPS) components, let me know.

Screen Shot 2018-04-09 at 8.52.10 PM.png

[Paul-in-KC]

And I use Adobe Illustrator to do the same thing. So if you want a library of vector (AI or EPS) components, let me know.


Screen Shot 2018-04-09 at 8.52.10 PM.png

Thank you xtian. I use Adobe Light Room for photo stuff. I'll give Illustrator a look.

-Paul

[sluckey]

Are you familiar with Microsoft HUP? Or have a friend that is? (google search)

I bought 2010 MS Office Pro for $10 and 2010 Visio Pro for $10 directly from Microsoft using the Home Use Program (HUP). HUP is still running strong today. Employees of many government agencies and large corporations qualify for HUP.

Another option is to purchase with the educator's discount. Everybody knows a teacher, right?

All my custom shapes will work with Visio Standard, going back to version 2003, maybe even older versions. But the Engineering stencils are only available with Visio Pro, so if you will also be drawing schematics you will need the Pro version.

[erwin_ve]

Some free programs that can work with visio files are: inkscape and Libreoffice(Draw).
Here's a unfinsihed Dumble Ods #124 and a Dumble HRM with fx loop, I think both were made by Normster who had them on his website in the past:

[Paul-in-KC]

Are you familiar with Microsoft HUP? Or have a friend that is? (google search)

I bought 2010 MS Office Pro for $10 and 2010 Visio Pro for $10 directly from Microsoft using the Home Use Program (HUP). HUP is still running strong today. Employees of many government agencies and large corporations qualify for HUP.

Another option is to purchase with the educator's discount. Everybody knows a teacher, right?

All my custom shapes will work with Visio Standard, going back to version 2003, maybe even older versions. But the Engineering stencils are only available with Visio Pro, so if you will also be drawing schematics you will need the Pro version.

sluckey, I am not familiar with that - but that is great information for the community!

Fortunately (for me) one of my brothers owns part of a software development company that does some "bundled" purchasing of Microsoft products for development, OS, and productivity stuff. So, I will be able to use one of the 2013 Pro licenses that he has. I'm not against FREE - as long as it's legit - and in this case it is.

So, I'll be installing that later today/evening and start playing with it - including looking at some of the things you have shared. Thinking I may switch over to Visio for my schematic drawing as well. The Eagle product is great, but fairly tough to use, and unless I want to use circuit simulation, or layout PCBs, I don't need the sophisticated features (which are part of what makes it a bit difficult to us).

Many thanks again!

-Paul

[Paul-in-KC]

Some free programs that can work with visio files are: inkscape and Libreoffice(Draw).
Here's a unfinsihed Dumble Ods #124 and a Dumble HRM with fx loop, I think both were made by Normster who had them on his website in the past:

Thank you sir!

[Reeltarded]

Visio rocks for anyone integrating almost any things into a system of any sort. I know a guy who built a roadracing Mustang in Visio. I used it to design home control before home control was a thing. Where be the wires at?

[Reeltarded]

This is fantastic.. really... really great. Amazing. Really.

Visio was used to create that layout drawing. I use Visio Pro to create all schematics and layout drawings on my website. Visio Pro contains a built-in arsenal of "shapes" for most engineering professions. I use the electrical engineering shapes to create all my schematics. And I made my own custom components shapes for the layouts. You will find a pdf document at the bottom of each of my project pages with a schematic/layout drawing. All the shapes seen in my layout drawings are available for download from my website.

The custom component shapes you see in that particular drawing as well as the custom components in my layouts , ie, tube sockets capacitors fuse holders, etc., were made from common shapes found in Visio. Then they were saved to a custom stencil sheet to be used over and over.

All of my custom components are actual size so you don't have to guess how they will fit into a real layout. In fact, you can use my board layout as a drill template to actually make the board. Here's a pic of a Visio component board and the actual board as an example...

[Paul-in-KC]

This is fantastic.. really... really great. Amazing. Really.

I totally agree! [and nice to see you on the board - you have probably been here all along - but I haven't been on much in recent history. decided to try a Dumble build - so I'm back ]