Navigating the PCB Interface

The PCB interface is where you will be uploading your design files and managing your PCB's bill of materials, layer files, and part placements. This article covers the PCB interface's general layout and feature set.

1. PCB Design - Uploading Files

On the Design Step, you can drag and drop your PCB design files or use the "Upload Files" button. For more information about uploading PCBs check out our article on Creating a PCB and Uploading Design Files.

If you have already uploaded files, the message above will no longer be displayed.  However, you can continue to drag-and-drop files onto the screen on the design step, or use the blue Upload Files button displayed above the PCB layers.

2. PCB Meta Data

In the upper left corner of the interface, information including the name of your PCB, description of the PCB, notes, and which version of the PCB are displayed. 

Clicking the edit icon to the right of the PCB name opens the editor for changing or adding a PCB name, PCB description, and PCB notes. 

The version display is a drop-down, selecting it will display the list of versions that are associated with the current PCB. Selecting a version will load that version of the PCB. Selecting <new cloned version> will copy everything from the current version into a new version, whereas selecting <new empty version> will create a blank variant, ready for file upload.  Changes you make to one version will not be reflected in any other version of the PCB.

3. Navigation

You will be guided through the process of PCB assembly via the step tabs below the name and version information.

These steps refer to the design of the PCB, the specifications for the PCB, the bill of materials, and an interactive quote and order page.

4. Price Tracker

In the upper right corner of the PCB interface is the Price Tracker and quantity input.  Once you have uploaded enough information to begin pricing your PCB assembly, the Price Tracker will appear and show you several prices and estimated lead times.  Adjusting the quantity changes the estimated lead time displayed and price, while also updating other parts of the display, such as pricing in the Bill of Materials and Quote and Order totals, all in real time.

5. Files

You can see, manage, and add to the files used in your PCB design by selecting the Files button to the right of the step tabs. In this section, you can download any of the files you originally uploaded.

If MacroFab support requests additional files from you, you can upload them to the platform by going to Files section, and using the upload files button on this screen.

If you are new to the MacroFab platform check out the next article in the series, Working with the Design Viewer. If you have any other questions about the PCB interface please feel free to contact our support team.