DipTrace to Flux

Bring your DipTrace project to Flux and continue it here. Flux is an AI hardware engineer. Import your schematic, PCB, and library files into a project. Ask Flux to work on the electronics, mechanical parts, firmware, and manufacturing.

Export your DipTrace files

In DipTrace, select File → Save As, then select DipTrace XML. Save the schematic as .dchxml, the PCB as .dipxml, and the library as .elixml.

Import your DipTrace project into Flux

Attach the DipTrace files to a message in the Chat panel and ask Flux to import them.

Import the attached DipTrace schematic and PCB as a new project.

Import the attached DipTrace files. Then place and route the board on two layers.

Import the attached DipTrace project ZIP file and design an enclosure that fits the board outline.

To do it in the UI:

Select Flux menu → Import → Project… to open the Import Project dialog.
Click Choose files or Choose folder. You can also drop the project files, a project folder, or a ZIP file on the dialog.
Select the projects to import, then click Import. Project files can include .dipxml, .dchxml, .elixml, and .xml files.
Click Open to open the new project.

Each import creates a new project.

Import your DipTrace library into Flux

Attach the DipTrace library file to a message in the Chat panel and ask Flux to import its parts.

Import all parts from the attached DipTrace library.

Import only the connector and the voltage regulator from the attached DipTrace library.

To do it in the UI:

Select Flux menu → Import → Part… to open the Import Parts dialog.
Click Choose files or Choose folder. You can also drop the library files, a folder, or a ZIP file on the dialog.
Select the parts to import, then click the import button. Import .elixml or .xml library files.

Each imported part becomes a new part in your Flux library.

What you can do with your design in Flux

Flux is an AI hardware engineer. After the import, your DipTrace design is part of a Flux project. Ask Flux to work on the schematic and board. Flux also works on the mechanical parts, firmware, and manufacturing in the same project.

Turn the imported board into a complete device

Use the imported DipTrace schematic and PCB as the starting point. Ask Flux to design an enclosure around the board, then write firmware for the microcontroller and peripherals in the schematic.

Use the board outline, mounting holes, connectors, and clearance needs from the imported design to shape the enclosure.
Use the imported schematic's pin assignments and connected parts to guide firmware for the microcontroller.

Using the imported DipTrace board, design an enclosure that fits its outline and aligns with its mounting holes and connectors.

Write firmware for the microcontroller in the imported DipTrace schematic. Use its pin assignments to initialize and test the connected peripherals.

Review the imported design

Ask Flux to review the schematic and board. Flux reads part datasheets and reports design issues with suggested fixes. Flux can also make a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) report.

Review the imported schematic. Check the power rails and compare the component values with their datasheets.

Make an FMEA report for the sensor input and power supply.

Place and route the board

Ask Flux to place components and route the board. Flux sets the stackup and layout rules, places the parts, routes the traces, and runs a design rule check.

Place the parts and route the board on two layers. Keep the crystal traces short.

Route the SPI clock away from the analog input traces.

Simulate circuits and signals

Ask Flux to simulate circuit behavior. Ask Flux to analyze the impedance and losses of high-speed traces and antenna feed lines. Flux reports electromagnetic results with plots.

Simulate the sensor amplifier and report its output range for a 0 to 2 V input.

Analyze the impedance of the antenna feed line.

Check the board temperature

Ask Flux to run a thermal simulation of the PCB. Flux calculates board and component temperatures from the power each part dissipates.

Run a thermal simulation with the board at full load. Report the temperature of the regulator.

Design the enclosure and mechanical parts

Ask Flux to design enclosures, brackets, mounts, and mechanisms around the board. Flux uses the board outline, mounting holes, connectors, and part models. See Mechanical Design.

Design a compact enclosure for the sensor board with a clear window above the display.

Design a wall mount with slots for the board's mounting holes.

Check fit, strength, and air flow

Ask Flux to check clearances between the board and the enclosure. Ask Flux to analyze stress and deflection in a mechanical part. Flux also simulates air flow and cooling through an enclosure.

Check the clearance between the board and the enclosure walls.

Analyze the deflection of the wall mount with a 15 N load.

Simulate air flow through the enclosure with the fan running.

Write the firmware

Ask Flux to write firmware for the microcontroller on the board. Flux uses the design's pin assignments and tests the code.

Write firmware for the microcontroller to read the sensor over I2C and show the result on the display.

Design the cables between boards

Ask Flux for a cable between two connectors in the design. Flux reads the net connections and selects matching housings and wires.

Get a quote for 20 cables between the sensor board and the display, 180 mm long.

Ask Flux for PCB quotes and orders. Ask for 3D-printing quotes and orders for the mechanical parts. You can also export Gerber, drill, BOM, and pick-and-place files. See Manufacturing files.

Get quotes for 30 assembled boards from JLCPCB and AISLER.

Get a 3D-printing quote for the enclosure in ABS.

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