Digi-Key’s design tool portfolio continues to roll

Global electronic components distributor Digi-Key Electronics, has implemented key updates to Scheme-it and PCBWeb, two influential design tools in its portfolio.

Scheme-it enables designers to quickly sketch and document their concepts and designs. With its electronic back-of-the-napkin functionality, Scheme-it provides the ideal environment for creative ideation needs whether that is in block, icon, schematic or board expansion format.

“Digi-Key is continually striving to provide engineers the most up-to-date and innovative design tools in order to support any design needs they may have, from concept to production,” says David Sandys, director of digital marketing. “With the milestone of over 100,000 designs being submitted in Scheme-it, it’s apparent that engineers are finding success with the tools and services we are offering on our website.”

Largest update for Scheme-it to-date

Representing the largest update to Scheme-it in the history of the tool, the new sidebar is now fully searchable with full-text search and the Digi-Key catalog integration has been taken to a new level with full parametric capability and taxonomy that mirrors the website itself. There is also a new properties sidebar with direct access to component and part properties. Design Starters have also been expanded to be fully searchable and to now include many popular community and open source hardware platforms including Arduino, BeagleBone, Raspberry Pi and others.

PCBWeb continues to be a robust EDA environment for pcb creation and new enhancements provide unprecedented value to our customers. Designers can now import Scheme-it created Bill of Materials (BOMs) directly into the tool. Fast graphics support has been added for large design files, and support for CadSoft EAGLE library files make for easy migration. The tool also has an upgraded 3D pcb viewer with finish board view. Both Scheme-it and PCBWeb remain completely free of charge for usage with no license, subscription or royalty charges what-so-ever.

Digi-Key recently added Accelerated Designs symbol and footprint integration as well as the Quadcept EDA environment to its tool portfolio. Accelerated Designs adds over 850,000 electronic component symbols and footprints that can be accessed directly from Digikey.com product detail pages and are formatted for use in over 20 leading EDA tool environments.

“As innovation and product design continues to grow throughout professional engineering as well as the maker community, there will always be a requirement for tools to help designers turn their ideas into products,” Sandys adds. “Here at Digi-Key, we recognize that need and will continue to listen to the feedback of our engineers and customers and adapt our portfolio as necessary.”