Seems a lot of the work is drawing things like displays and PIC chips at the moment in PCB Express.

That is the only downside to using PCB Express, I like using them for my short run board prototypes (and some production runs), too bad there wasn't a place for all PCB Express users to share custom user libraries similar to Eagle user libraries....

I use Eagle CAD most of the time though since I can generate NC files for my PCB CNC Mill.

 

I may create two sheets (.sch and .pcb) with the shapes on them, it is one way of sharing components I would guess. Grist for another thread.

 

I purchased 2 of these programers. They have ICSP and a 40pin ziff socket. The software is really easy to use. Install the driver, select your chip, load the .hex file, and burn the chip.
easy!
http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=3141


i have used it on win XP, Vista(x64), 7(x64)
it uses the prolific serial to usb driver so it might work in linux too.

 

I purchased 2 of these programers. They have ICSP and a 40pin ziff socket. The software is really easy to use. Install the driver, select your chip, load the .hex file, and burn the chip.
easy!
http://www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=3141


i have used it on win XP, Vista(x64), 7(x64)
it uses the prolific serial to usb driver so it might work in linux too.

For the same cost (for each) I purchased 3 of these programers. They have ICSP and a six pin socket. The software is really easy to use. The driver installs with MPLAB (I think, been way too long), select PICkit 2 as your programmer or as your in circuit debugger, and burn or step code in the chip.

easy!

http://www.microchipdirect.com/productsearch.aspx?Keywords=PG164120

ZIF sockets, removing your device to program, and not having in circuit debugging is so 1990's.

 

Well, I ordered a PICKit3 yesterday. I'll get back with ya'll.

 

I have had the PICkit3 for a while now to complement the PICkit2. I have to admit that I have not had much time playing with either but have not encountered any problems. I am using both MPLAB 8 and MPLABX.

 

Well, I ordered a PICKit3 yesterday. I'll get back with ya'll.

Way to go...

 

Bill,

If you haven't already, you should register with Microchip and order some samples...

 

Bill,

If you haven't already, you should register with Microchip and order some samples...

Yes, definitely register! I just recently received some pic16f887 and some f628A as samples, several pieces of each, in different size packages..... definitely comes in handy for prototyping or just playing around with them....

 

When I started with PIC programming I started with this programmer ,its cheap and with free software.
Their are two types Parallel Port and Serial Port,which ever you like i.e.. how you want your programmer to be connected with your PC ,when I did it for the first time it was Parallel Port Programmer

Parallel Port Programmer
http://www.oshonsoft.com/picprog.html

Serial Port Programmer
http://www.oshonsoft.com/picprogserial.html

Now I use ICD2,but that programmer is still usefull,if you want to know more about this programmer search for Microchip's Application Note "AN589".

Good Luck

 

Well, I ordered a PICKit3 yesterday. I'll get back with ya'll.

Yay!

Welcome to the world of true "wizardry" where you can make a circuit do things with instructions, not components.

 

Programming devices using PICKIT3 + MPLABX is not more difficult than to press the appreciate button.

 

Got here today, from Tempe AZ.

I'll look at it this weekend. TheFox (my boy) already has it on his computer.

********************************************************

Well, he tried to put it on the computer. It gets halfway though the install and crashes on two different machines.

I cannot access the Data Cap file. Looks like a download it will be.

 

Well, he tried to put it on the computer. It gets halfway though the install and crashes on two different machines.

I cannot access the Data Cap file. Looks like a download it will be.

What operating system are you putting it on??

 

Hmmm, you could try copying the install files ont your hard drive and install from there.

Some things are fussy to install from a CD due to the CD data buffering and timeouts etc.

 

Well, he tried to put it on the computer. It gets halfway though the install and crashes on two different machines.

I cannot access the Data Cap file. Looks like a download it will be.

I don't think I have ever got a product from Microchip who's CD held the latest version of the software. Now I don't even look at the CD's.

They move too fast to keep up with themselves, so just download it.