AutoDesk Eagle Custom Logo Tutorial
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Getting custom artwork onto a PCB shouldn't be rocket science. I have read a few dozen tutorials from different sites, And I have found that no two sites have the same procedure. I've spent hours trying to get my PCB where the manufacturers software won't trash the silkscreen logo. I have put together a detailed tutorial to help make it smoother. One thing that can't be overcome, is how many times you will have to repeat this process. Hey, just hang in there!
At present, I am using AutoDesk Eagle v9.6.2, but this tutorial will work for your version as well. If you have an older version, the custom logo script is already installed with Eagle. Since v9.x.x, Eagle doesn't install any script, so you will have to download it below.
First, unzip/extract the ULP file and move it to C:\Users\YourComputerName\Documents\EAGLE\ulps (the EAGLE folder could be a different name as well). You can use this script directly on your PCB layout, But I like to use my logos on the majority of my boards. You can do that by saving your logo to a library. So if you want to use a logo, all you have to do is place it on the schematic just like any other part.
First, make sure you have an image that is complete. If you need to make changes to the original, now is the time to do it. If you need to edit something, you have to start this process all over again. I use Photoshop, but any image editor that can save as .bmp is good.
In Photoshop, with your image open, select >Image>Mode>Bitmap. When you save your image: >File>Save As.. Type the name and change the "Save as Type:" choose BMP.
One thing to take note, the size of your image will represent that size in Eagle. But there is a way to change it in this process, it could take a few tries to get it right.
Now, on to Eagle. When I'm just making logos, I will open a test project. It's just a blank schematic where I can open and edit libraries. Once you're in a project, in the toolbar, select>Library>Open Lbrary.. This method is used when you have already made a library and you want to add your logo to that library.
Let's do a symbol first. Under the Symbol column, click "Add Symbol". It will bring up a new window and in the text field, enter a name. It's good practice to be descriptive without having a multi-word title. FYI, the Names in Eagle will NOT let you have spaces. Use (-) and (_) instead. Once the Symbol Editor opens, I just use a descriptive text for the symbol, but you can do anything you want. Remember that this is only a place holder in the schematic (usually no one will see it).
Now we are ready to work on the actual logo. At the top of Eagle, click on the "Footprint" icon. It's the middle icon that looks like an IC, and you can also hover over the icons to show the names. A new window will open and we are going to enter a name here as well. I just use the same name as the symbol. Then click on "OK". Click "OK" again on the Warning dialog window.
This is where we will have Eagle draw your logo with lines. At the top of Eagle, click on "ULP", then select "import-bmp" from the list. It should like the image here. Then click "OK". Click "OK" on the next window, the browse to your BMP image.
Another dialog window will open asking what colors you want to use. I don't know why mine doesn't show other colors besides white, but I know that I don't what to use the white color here so I choose the other.
And once again we get another dialog window. But this is where most of the magic happens. The one setting to take note of is the "Scale factor for a pixel". This is where the size is determined. If your image is small and you want to make it larger, choose a number greater than 1. If you want your logo smaller, choose a number less than 1. I usually make my BMP images large, so I choose 0.9 to 0.5. I usually have to redo these steps as I never get the size I want, so you'll have to experiment.The next item is to choose which layer you want to have the logo on. Personally, I use tNames or tPlace. In the image, I used 21, which is tPlace. Most of the footprints used have something on this layer so be confident that your logo will be printed by your fab house. Then you can press "OK". If we did everything correctly, you should see your logo being drawn.
If you don't see anything being generated, the logo is either too small or too big. Use the group tool and draw a square around everything, then click the delete icon, left click anywhere in the board window and select "Delete Group". You will have to keep repeating the prior steps and change the "Scale factor for a pixel". It will take a few tries so be patient.
When you see your full logo, use the Measure tool to see if it's the right size. If the logo is too small, change the "Scale factor for a pixel" to a higher number. You can also lower the number to make the logo smaller.
When you're satisfied with the logo, at the bottom left (near the center marker of the board editor) will be some text that it throws in. Use the group tool again to delete.
Now we can combine the symbol and footprint into a device. Click on the 'Device' icon on the tool bar, and enter a name (I just use the same name as the symbol and footprint). Then click on "Add". You should be looking at the Device edit window. We need to combine the 3 packages into our library. On the left toolbar, click "Add Part" and choose the Symbol we created. Next, place your symbol centered in the schematic window.
Note: You can place the symbol anywhere, but if you need to move or rotate it on your schematic, it gets difficult.
Now we need to bring in the footprint/package. Bottom left area, click on "New" and select "Add Local Package." Select the logo footprint and it will appear on the lower right window. Since we don't have any pins to connect the symbol and footporint, it should have a green check in the right column.
Click "File>Save". Depending if you are adding this to an existing library or creating will determine the next step. If you adding to an existing library, Congrats! You can now place your logo like any other part. If you don't have a library selected, you wil ask to name the new library. When you select OK, we're done!
