Application Overview of the target of the projectIf you have already delved into Introduction, Background, Implementation and Schema then you already have an idea of what Eagle is about and where it came from. Eagle is now a conglomeration of technologies but at it's core is the powerful central Eagle function technologies. No matter what implementation of Eagle you choose to adopt, an understanding of this core system is essential. It's a good idea to have a quick look through the entire help system to familiarize yourself with the command structure, particularly the syntax we use in the guide and overall filesystem structure.
The Training Guide now proceeds with the overview of the Basic Concepts of the system which provides an overview of the modules and kernel functionality.
The next step and remainder of this guide is to introduce the reader the basic language , graphic and user interface functionality of the Eagle AE. This is best achieved through the building of a sample application. All the code used to implement this application is provided in the Appl directory of Eagle. This is installed by default under the C:\Program Files\MacroVision\Eagle\Training directory.
NOTE : The tree control introduce in 11.9 and V12 open a new range of possibilities for system navigation. In our project we will see the Tree Control populated with the structure of the Training application and supplemental training materials. In most cases a cmd file can be dragged and dropped from the tree to the graphic window where it will be executed. In certain cases it may be relevant initiate a 'step on' command to follow the macro execution process.
The step by step approach of this guide to the guide you through the creation of a simple application in Eagle. Well, in fact, more appropriately it should be classified as an applet. This task provides the basic hands on approach which is best used in learning a programming language. The steps involved in the creation of the applet are as follows :
Application Overview of the target of the project
Startup Fundamental knowledge and getting started with the Applet
Toolbar Creating a toolbar for the Applet
Statusbar Implementing a status bar for the Applet
Tree Creating a tree menu for the Applet
File Adding options and actions to our Applet File menu
Edit Including basic geometrical editing features to the Applet
View Extending the viewing options for the model
Modeling Definition of objects geometry
Render Including visualization features to our Applet
Plot Producing hardcopy output from the Applet
At this point, we have completed an overview of the basic applet. At most of the points above there are additional samples which can be triggered by dragging and dropping from the menu tree into the graphics window. The additional sections are intended to enhance some of the concepts touched on in the basic applet creation and include some examples of developments in Eagle 12 which will of course be new to new users but which existing users may not be aware.
Modeling in Eagle including 2D, 3D and Merlin SM
The intention of these latter sections is to focus on an understanding of these modules and can be regarded as supplemental or introductory to other related technologies.