This tutorial takes a project from an empty perfboard to a layout ready to use as a workbench reference. The designer shows the bottom, copper-side view, so footprints are mirrored to match what you see while soldering.
1. Create the board
From the workspace, enter the width and length in holes. Choose the copper connection that matches the physical board: isolated pads, pairs, or triples. Select Create board, then give the project a descriptive title.
[image - The board setup form with width, length, and copper connection options highlighted beside the resulting empty board.]
2. Add components
- Select Footprint from the left toolbar.
- Search the library by component name or browse a category.
- Select a footprint, then click a valid board hole to place its first pin.
- Drag an unanchored footprint to improve the layout. Leave clearance for component bodies, wires, and soldering.
If the required part is unavailable, choose Design a footprint. Add its pins on the 2.54 mm grid, name the pins, and adjust the closed contour by dragging vertices. Click a contour edge to add a vertex and select a vertex before pressing Delete to remove it. Save the footprint, then select it from your library.
3. Rotate and secure a component
Select a placed footprint and use Rotate to turn it 90 degrees. Rotation is allowed only when the complete footprint still fits on the board. Use Anchor when its position is final. Unanchor it before moving or rotating it again.
[image - A selected footprint with the Anchor and Rotate controls highlighted, plus a before-and-after 90-degree rotation.]
4. Draw wires
- Select Wire. Hover over the tool whenever you need its quick guide.
- Click the first board hole, then click each additional point needed by the route.
- Press Enter to finish the wire or Escape to cancel the unfinished route.
- Plan power and ground first, followed by signal paths. Intermediate points let a wire route around component bodies.
5. Edit a wire
Right-click a completed wire. Choose Edit properties to change its label or color. Choose Edit wire path to reshape it.
- Drag any node to move that part of the path.
- Click a wire segment to insert a new node.
- Select a middle node and press Delete or Backspace to remove it. The first and last nodes cannot be deleted.
- Press Enter or Escape when path editing is complete.
[image - The wire context menu beside a selected wire, followed by path-editing mode with draggable nodes and a newly inserted middle node.]
6. Review the layout
Use the View switches to temporarily hide copper, holes, footprints, or wires. Check component clearances, verify every route against the schematic, and confirm that the mirrored copper-side orientation matches the intended soldering view.
7. Save and export
Save the project to your account so you can continue later. The Export menu can save the complete project as JSON, save notes as Markdown, or create a clean or colored image for printing and sharing.