Schematic Educational Material

Hey bruce/florida, that was a pretty in depth answer, i think I probably didn't pose my question clear enough. I was basically asking for some direction on reference material relating to reading schematics and accurately transferring them to breadboards, circuit boards, ect. The use of the PCB, was probably a bad choice. Thanks for answering, and I still learned something I didn't know from your reply. thanks

Here's a site I've used a time or two.

Thanks for that link, I scan a number of different sites for different takes on different aspects on electrical and em theory, any new site to go through is always welcome. thanks j. floyd

How about developing your schematics, plan them into form and put them into this which I use when I need a pcb. www.diptrace.com You develope your board as a schematic, lay it out, connect your ponts and let the program deal with it and lay it out. I used to make my own boards, etching fluids, and oh what a mess. Nothing like having an engine block on the kitchen table one day when my wife came home. Oh my , that was quite a day in deed... Still recovering , been 30 years and still hear about it... Many PCB's on the table, never hear a word. What's the deal? PCB, engine block? What's the difference?

I have a friend who's wife of 40+ years still informs the world of him rebuilding a car engine of the kitchen table. He did this just after the honeymoon.

He, like I, still do not what the problem was. Things needed fixing.

I use this in my design work. Not the most intuitive software, but once you learn it.. Great! and the price is also good.

Eagle

Eagle appears to be a very good, reasonably priced solution for taking a schematic to PCB, but I get the impression that the OP is more interested in basic circuit design, for which there are several SPICE based (simulation) solutions, some very sophisticated and free (I use an older version of Multisim on my older Windows machine, and gEDA on my Linux machine for exploring electronic circuits). Disclaimer- I use electronic simulation software at the education/hobby level, and a real EE may have more sophisticated requirements than what I suggest. A very, very good resource for learning basic electronics is http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ The six-volume resource can be downloaded as *.pdf files. Simulation packages generally require parts libraries, which are generally available from electronic manufacturers for free. Keep an eye on my Open Source blog for a more complete analysis of what is available in the Open Source community, to be coming in the near future...

Try running through Jaxy's series of electronics for beginners:-

http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/9633

If all your doing is trying to learn this process and pass along the knowledge gained to others, then go to Radio Shack and have a look at some of the materials they have in the store and online. They have had over time kits to make PCB units etc. Good resource. Have fun, its always nice to learn and then pass it on.

CAD/CAM. JAVA is being used now because it's easier.