Helperdeck build-assist program

[krilli]

Hi again. This is a tutorial of sorts, to show what Helperdeck does and how it can be used.


This is the window that shows up at startup. Helperdeck autodetects any datapacks you have, and gives you quick access to them - in this case the Amp32, Amp4 and Amp15-PS. Then you can also open a different datapack if you have one. Let's open the Amp32.


The Amp32 is open, and this is the Helperdeck interface ... after some window rearrangement We're working on Stage 1 corresponding to the 41Hz instructions. We've just clicked the heading of the stage, and all the board locations and contents light up - this is good to familiarize yourself with the stage you're at.


Now we may choose to solder C3 - but want some info on it. So we click C3 in the stage window. The placement on the board is highlighted, and the bag window shows us that a 0.1uF SMD cap goes there.


Say you click the position C3 on the board instead - this also shows what component should go there, highlighted in the bags window to the left.


Then we can click the overall entry for these 0.1uF SMD caps, in Bag 1. Then Helperdeck shows you where ALL of these go on the board. If you know that you just want to get that type of component on the board, you can just finish soldering all of those, and quickly see where they go. This is pretty much the biggest time-saver, I've found.


This shows the Autoflow option - this hides all the bag contents, but then automatically opens any bag you have selected a component/position from in the other windows. This can reduce clutter or make work quicker - it depends on your style of working.


This shows how Autoflow works - Helperdeck will open Bag 2 and highlight the 0.1uF caps if you select them somewhere.

Hope this is useful!

[Scratchy]

That looks much improved krilli - nice work.
I think someone should start a blog called "Building an Amp32 step by step using Helperdeck".
It would include instructions as per above, as well as pictures as the components are soldered onto the board.

It would give the noobs a good idea in what is involved in building an SMD amp.
Perhaps when I build mine I'll try and do this (unless someone else beats me to it).

[krilli]

That's a pretty awesome idea, good sir.

Hmm ...I actually have a friend's Amp32 kit here. Even better, he's nearly a beginner so it would be great to go over the whole process with him and take pictures / videos etc.!

Race for the prize!

[Lulu]

+1 ! That will greatly help beginners, this is more user-friendly than the AI only, without pictures. Less mistakes ! Important stages of building will be noticed stronger.

[krilli]

Hi gang!

Amp6-BASIC is now in.

Here's the Helperdeck download: http://github.com/AnthonBerg/helperdeck/zipball/beta3.1

To run Helperdeck, you need the Shoes toolkit. Here are the Shoes downloadables for Mac, Windows and Linux: http://shoes.heroku.com/downloads

Check it out - the Amp6-BASIC is even simpler to build now.

Screenshot of Amp6-Basic:

[Jan]

I tip my hat!

Said before; without the input, help and feedback from you guys, 41Hz would not excist. Krilli, maybe an article or Blog post to keep the helpdeck info?

[krilli]

I tip my hat!

Said before; without the input, help and feedback from you guys, 41Hz would not excist. Krilli, maybe an article or Blog post to keep the helpdeck info?

A pleasure

Yep, you're right, a blog or article is a good idea for sure. Going to do some more work first, keep my focus, then I'll extract info from the thread and write something comprehensive.

Ps. -- working on Amp11 and Amp9-BASIC - thanks, Scratchy - and also improving the Amp15-PS stuff, it really needs build stages.

P.p.s. - super thanks to tricky for the Amp6-BASIC scans!

Edit - p.p.p.s. The build stages should of course go in a single window like the bags are now, I realize now that I can recycle almost all of the monolithic bag window code for that. Phew.

[krilli]

All right, here's the next one:



This is the Amp11. The build stages aren't in yet, but it's super useful still. Running on Linux!

Get Shoes first, Mac / Win / Linux: http://shoes.heroku.com/downloads
Then download Helperdeck beta3.2: http://github.com/AnthonBerg/helperdeck/zipball/beta3.2

[krilli]

Ooops! The Amp6-BASIC build data was broken in the last two releases.

Here's a fix: http://github.com/AnthonBerg/helperdeck/zipball/beta3.3

[krilli]

Amp9-BASIC is in!



That's a screenshot of Windows XP running the thing

Get Shoes first, Mac / Win / Linux: http://shoes.heroku.com/downloads
Then download Helperdeck beta3.4: http://github.com/AnthonBerg/helperdeck/zipball/beta3.4

Edit - Ouch! I just noticed that the build stage windows don't really match the actual build stage names, which is quite confusing. This is the next fix, then the Amp15 stages.

Ps, check out all the lovely amps that are in: