Helperdeck build-assist program

[krilli]

Amp4 is ready enough to use ...

Screenshot:

Helperdeck for Amp4: http://github.com/AnthonBerg/helperd...amp4prerelease

Shoes, which runs Helperdeck, for Windows: http://cloud.github.com/downloads/sh...es-0.r1134.exe
... and Mac: http://cloud.github.com/downloads/sh...oes/shoes2.dmg

Same drill as usual: Download Win or Mac app, plus the Helperdeck ZIPfile from Github. Unzip and open 'helperdeck.rb'. Easy - takes 2 minutes.

[Scratchy]

Errata.

When I click on the component next to R56 (below J5), I get R58 highlighted and selected in the Name box, even though R58 is in another location.
This is supposed to be R57.

Clicking on R57 in Stage 5 highlights the correct component location on the PCB.

[krilli]

Errata.

When I click on the component next to R56 (below J5), I get R58 highlighted and selected in the Name box, even though R58 is in another location.
This is supposed to be R57.

Clicking on R57 in Stage 5 highlights the correct component location on the PCB.

Thanks!!

Just one question, what order do you build it, using the bag numbers or the stage numbers?

Normally I start out with all the tiny stuff first before mounting the "big iron".

Yep - that's my approach too - small stuff first. I've usually printed out the AI and followed the order there, clicking on the stages or the component I'm using to help find it.

Two of the stages in the Amp4 datapack are actually empty - most notably the small-smd-stuff stage. I'll do the R58-related fix tonight, plus the missing stages.

Your testing is very useful already, I kind of see the app in a different light "through your eyes", I think I'll be able to make some useful modifications.

Question - would you prefer having smaller text and all the windows taking up less space?

I'm working on having the whole app taking up less screenspace by consolidating windows etc. ... Hope I'll have that ready by the weekend.

[Scratchy]

Smaller and fewer windows would be better. I don't have dual monitors, which is almost required for the existing layout.

[krilli]

Errata.

When I click on the component next to R56 (below J5), I get R58 highlighted and selected in the Name box, even though R58 is in another location.
This is supposed to be R57.

Clicking on R57 in Stage 5 highlights the correct component location on the PCB.

Strange, I can't reproduce this - is it still like this on your end / can you trigger this again?

The text-field that shows the selected position ID is a little wonky and really needs a rewrite. I'm hoping this is just something sporadic that a code refresh will take care of.

[krilli]

Is it just me, or do most people don-t have their PC on the workbench?
I mean, it sounds nice, looks good, but to have a sensitive PC on the workbench? Don-t know. Have to think about that.
Should at least be a pc with a touchscreen, a Asus Eetop would be perfect: standing clear upright+touchscreen (got one). Thinking....

True ... I've always got my laptop sitting close though. Looking at BOMs and schematics and things - and posting stupid questions on a certain forum

Helperdeck will turn into a webpage one day, so it ought to run on eeetops, ipads, iphones, servers, laptops, anything

[krilli]

A no keyboard PC will be better: no shit into keyboard....never plugged kb+mouse into EeTop.
Running on the 41hz.com server then, I suppose.

Mm, probably not actually. There's no affiliation really between this project and 41Hz, I'll probably run it on some cheap external hosting provider ... plus it's way better for the forum to have the server dedicated to it.

[zyrus11]

Awesome work! Maybe the amp7 next

[krilli]

Awesome work! Maybe the amp7 next

Can do! An Amp7 datapack would REQUIRE some overall window-shrinkage in the app though ... But it's a good impetus to do it

[Scratchy]

Strange, I can't reproduce this - is it still like this on your end / can you trigger this again?

The text-field that shows the selected position ID is a little wonky and really needs a rewrite. I'm hoping this is just something sporadic that a code refresh will take care of.

I just checked it again, and it is fine now. It must have been a glitch.
However, I can't find R58 in any bag when I click on it on the PCB?

I see there are 2 ways to use this software.

1) Building by bag - click on each component in each bag and populate the highlighted pads on the PCB.
2) Building by the PCB - click on a location on the PCB, find the corresponding bag an component.

Having 22 windows open makes this 2nd task difficult, especcially when you can't see all the components in a window without scrolling, or all the windows without moving them around.
Of course using the first method is probably the most logical, in whcih case, the number and sizes of windows is not an issue.

Good Stuff!
Gotta get the noobs using this software.