学习 DesignSpark PCB

We've released a new article about how to convert a breadboard prototype into a professional PCB using DesignSpark PCB (DSPCB) software. It focuses on streamlining the transition from temporary breadboard circuits to permanent, manufacturable boards. Read the article at https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/breadboard-layout-to-a-pcb-a-dspcb-approach and let us know in the comments what you think! Stephanie from DesignSpark

I'm trying to spread out some connectors and I want to use the Equispace function to get them equally spaced out. The function is greyed out however and cannot be selected. What Iam I doing wrong?

What is a CPL file and how to generate it?

Having upgraded recently to DesignSpark PCB 13.0 (on a Windows 11 machine), I'm experiencing frequent crashes. They happen at random moments, but especially prone seems to be the 'translate to PCB' action - although it's not limited to this. It happens in schematic capture or during PCB routing just the same. The problem manifests itself in the DesignSpark window simply closing without any error or message. It's just gone. What's also gone at that point is the DesignSpark.exe file from the program folder. When attempting to repair the installation, I receive an error that the repair utility cannot write to the folder the program is installed in. When I reboot the machine, this error in the repair utility doesn't occur and the repair succeeds. I can then work in the program again for a few minutes to a few hours - and then the same thing happens. Over and over again. Evidently this is unworkable, so I tried opening this project in DesignSpark 12.0 which I have not yet removed. However, it's apparently impossible to open a project or schematic created in 13.0 in a previous version. I also see no way to export from 13.0 to a different format or to a previous version of the program. Which means I'm stuck with an unworkable program and no way to recover my work. Great. Does anyone recognize this issue and perhaps know of a workaround? Or is it time to just cut my losses in terms of a large parts library I've built over the years and move away from DesignSpark?

Hello Everyone,  I just need a sanity check! I just upgraded from PCB V12 to V13 and noticed that when I rotate a newly dropped component, it does not align with the grid. It has to be nudged a bit. Is anyone else experiencing this? Maybe it's something I have to set up in my Preferences or Design Technology? Any insight into this would be helpful. This small issue is not a game-changer, but it is an annoyance to me. Cheers! François

Have been using Library Loader V2.50 up until last week and now it says "unable to connect to DesignSpark, need to upgrade to latest version" or words to that effect. Has been working well up to now. Has the DS software been updated to prevent Library Loader from working anymore? DS has menu settings for NOT updating! I presume that is the end of the road now for Version 11, I can't use it any more? Changing from Windows 7 is not an option to enable Version 13. Library Loader is OK because it will work with KiCad.

Hello,  I have download DSL file from DigiKey (see attached) and I have tried to integrate it in my library like it described in UltraLibrian Notes. But the function descriptions of pin names don't seeable in Component in DesignSpark 13.0 (Explorer). I use free version of DS and hope the naming of pins is only possible in Creator and Engineer Editions. Should the naming of pins do manuel in all 3 Editions together with pin assigments? RegardsWlad

It seems I'm having trouble with my email account. I have sent 2 emails to support that I think they did not receive. The reason I need to contact support is that I can not log in to V13. With all the troubles I had when I updated to V12, I am very leery about upgrading to V13.

I am using the Pololu High-Power Stepper Motor Driver 36v8, which has the H-Bridge MOSFETs on the bottom of the PCB. I need to cool them with a 30mm x 10mm Cooling Blower Fan, paired with a 25x25x10mm heatsink, to keep the MODFETs cool and happy. So I have to raise the driver PCB at least 15mm. Thus, this means I need a very tall single row/2.54 pitch header (either male/male or female/female or male/female). I have not found a said header that meets these recommendations. Could someone help me find such a header? I am also very open to any suggestions. As a sidenote. As you see, the right side of the drive has some very high current (app 7AMPs). Are there any headers that handle that much current?  

Can I change colour of program menus etc from red and grey ? As the colour setup at present does my eyes in ??

Ich habe gekauft unb Bezahlt den DesignerSpark  PCB13. Installation war ohne Probleme. Beim Start  Bliken schnell par Menüs und das Programm Startet nicht! Bei allen anderen Versionen war das kein Problem! Was ist jetzt los?  

Hello, I recently upgraded from version 12 to version 13 of DesignSpark PCB. Since this update, the program is shutting down randomly. It can happen after a few minutes or just a few seconds. Do you have any solutions to recommend? Best regards, Michel

How to determine the rear view of a power transistor to place a heatsink with?

The installer for Designspark V13 is broken. I have attached the log file of the install, which shows that the rather ancient VC runtime is failing to install. The previous V11 and V12 installs worked fine, and I removed them after first encountering the error. Clearly the VC install is not conditioned correctly in the MSI, as suggested by the following line in the log: [4154:2BAC][2025-09-22T20:39:26]i052: Condition 'InstalledVCRuntimeVersion >= "v14.44.35208.00"' evaluates to false. The version on my PC is 14.44.35211   The “v” in your condition is not a numerical parameter which may cause comparison problems. As your condition is evaluating to false when it should return true, the code is broken.   Can you let me know if you have a workaround or a fixed installer yet?

Is it possible to turn off this alarm "PCB only net". I know I haven't drawn a schematics and I don't need to be reminded of it on every single track.