Off Board components - NOT to be included in PCB??

[Matt_SCL]

how do i make a component so that it won't be included in the gerber files for PCB fabrication?

i have a few pots and connections that are in the schematic, but i dont want them to be included in board drill template, solder mask, etc etc.

im new to eagle, so a detailed solution would be appreciated!!

cheers

[jorge_garcia2]

Hello @Matt_SCL,

Thank you for participating on our forums. Off-board components need to be created in the library, what you want to do is create a device that only contains a symbol. In the device editor, click on the Attributes icon and create an attribute named _EXTERNAL_ exactly as I just typed it. The value isn't important, this attribute lets EAGLE know that this is an offboard component and that it's OK for it to not have a package.

That is the gist of it. You can find more details in Chp 8 of the EAGLE manual specifically sections 8.1 and 8.7.

Please accept as solution if my post fully resolves or you issue, or reply with additional details if the problem persists.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[sawdustagain]

> You can find more details in Chp 8 of the EAGLE manual . . .

Jorge,

Where is the EAGLE manual?

[rachaelATWH4]

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@cent3NRCD wrote:

Where is the EAGLE manual?

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In EAGLE-x.x.x/doc/manual_en.pdf where x.x.x is the EAGLE version you are running.

Best Regards,

Rachael

[ADresden]

Oh, dear Joprge, you did not understand him, he wants to create a LEGEND.

A LEGEND consist of the same compnents as those used elsewhere in the schematics and on the boards, but is only a LEGEND. Why would I spend HOURS on each project creating special symbols out of the libraries used just to make a legend, when I could use a LEGEND frame? Just create a new frame, name it LEGEND, and all components inside will become only a legend, with no meaning in schematics and no board placement.

That is why the new framing function is important, I already suggested it and somebody else is independently asking for it. Because people have been using it for 80 or 100 years maybe.

I would love to have the framing function: 100 - Power supply, 200 - CPU bloc, etc... with the number 100 being the starting number for the components inside of the frame. When "LEGEND" is provided instead of the number, components inside will become legends. For this to work, one overall layout schematics needs to be able to supply several separate boards, thus the legend components will be on a shadow schematics board.

[edwin.robledo]

Hi matt.d,

Thanks for you participation on the forums, I hope to add a few ideas that might be helpful.  As already mentioned on this thread we don't really have formal solution to add components to a design and not have them show up on your Gerber.  But I have used a few method in the past and recently that don't really solve it, but can possibly be a valid alternative.

- Create a duplicate board just for documentation.  For example, create a brand new board called project_name-doc.brd.  Use the 'File/Import/EAGLE File' option to import your board into a brand new file.  Use this secondary board is to be only used for documentation purposes.  Every time you update the original board, simply re-import the board the -doc.brd

- In the most recent release of EAGLE we now fully support Design Blocks.  You can create a design block that includes your entire Board and Schematic.  Paste this Block in the -doc.brd file where you plan to have all your legends defined. 

As I mentioned before this is not true solution, but make it easy to update your documentation design.

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Ed

[ADresden]

Yea, I almost forgot about the shadow copy, I used one some long time ago.

[ADresden]

OMG, I keep making worse and worse typos, I apologize, it just looks bad.

[cwardGRP76]

Hi ADresden,

The LEGEND function you mention is exactly what I am looking for.  However, is it a real feature within Eagle?  I am quite new to Eagle and am struggling to make true schematics, but only needing to select certain parts to be on the PCB.

The EXTERNAL refence seems very clumsy, as does a shadow schematic.  I cannot believe that you might have a switch or LED shown in the schematic that is not on the PCB, but mounted somewhere else, such as on a front panel.

If the LEGEND is a feature, can you explain in more detail how to implement it.

I have copied the frames library to my own library, created a frame symbol and renamed it from 'FRAME' to 'LEGEND' .

I can add the 'LEGEND' to the schematic. However, when I place the components inside the LEGEND, they still show up on the PCB.  Do I have to put the LEGEND on a particular layer or are there more steps required?

Your help, comments and advice will be greatly received as this is a frustration aspect of Eagle.