To download and install Library Loader please visit this page.
Download the zipped file and extract it to a temporary folder.
From the now displayed extracted folder (or navigate in to the folder) open the Library Loader folder and double-click the ".msi" file to install the Library Loader application.
Setting up instructions.
Important Note.
Follow the sequence below which includes registration if this is a first time installation. Pay particular attention to point 3 the configuration of Library Loader to your download folder and point 5 the selection of your target DesignSpark PCB Library folders.
The Library Loader intentionally has a tiny IT footprint & is installed in less than 1 minute. Once installed it will stay quiet and just work its magic converting PCB Libraries you download from supported websites and placing the Symbol / PCB Footprint to your cursor in your ECAD Design.
1. Open Library Loader. This can be done either by clicking on the icon on your desktop;
or by checking your system tray – and if library loader is already running in the background – open it from there. This can be done by following these steps:
2. If this is the first time you have used Library Loader, you will need to register. However, if you have just updated to a new version of Library Loader, you will not have to do this.
3. Make sure the ‘Downloads Folder’ matches the location where your web browser downloads files to. NOT a DesignSpark PCB Library.
4. Select your ECAD tool.
Now supports DSPCB and Pro
5. Click the ‘Settings’ button and fill in the options for the target library
Select your schematic (.ssl), PCB (.psl) and component (.cml) target library.
6. Click the ‘Search for Parts’ hyperlink to begin your part search
Note. If you have previous downloads that are not part of your library you can now use "Open ECAD Model" to install them.
7. You can click on the ‘Profile’ hyperlink to view and edit your profile, the ‘Feedback’ hyperlink to leave us any feedback you may have, or the ‘Help’ hyperlink.
Once Library Loader is configured parts will appear on your cursor inside your ECAD tool after you click one of our icons on a supported website.
Further details are available from SamacSys.
Updated 20220304
Comments
11 comments
For me, this breaks at step 5. When I click on Settings, Library loader complains "Unable to launch/connect to DesignSpark PCB"
I've tried re-installing DesignSpark PCB and rebooting, to no avail. I'm on Windows 7. It actually does launch DesignSpark PCB at that point, if it's not already running, so it seems to know where it is.
convoluted to the 9's...
@Chuck, what step did you have issues understanding?
The above only has to be configured once.
1. Map to your download folder.
2. Select your library to download to.
3. Select your ECAD tool.
4. Use the Component Search Engine.
After this your components you download are automatically detected by Library Loader in your download folder, extracted from the zip file, placed in you selected library and attached to pointer for placement on the schematic
@Charles, this may have been the issue reported for v9 in the Status FAQ which is now resolved.
For any version of DSPCB if Library Loader is not interfacing correctly to DSPCB, then close Library Loader and DSPCB, now launch DSPCB by a right click and selecting "Run as Admin". now close DSPCB. These steps ensure the Windows OLE is registered correctly for DSPCB.
Now launch DSPCB and Library Loader as normal and they will communicate correctly.
I tried running DSPCB as administrator, but still get the same message when I click Settings:
I'm running DSPCB v9.0.1 and Library Loader V2.45, on Win 7 Pro, SP1. Both DSPCB and Library Loader are installed in C:\Program Files (x86).
Please open a support ticket https://designspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new and the team will work with you to resolve.
I have the same problem, this breaks at step 5. When I click on Settings, Library loader complains "Unable to launch/connect to DesignSpark PCB"
I've tried re-installing DesignSpark PCB and rebooting, to no avail. I'm on Windows 10. It actually does launch DesignSpark PCB at that point, if it's not already running, so it seems to know where it is.
@Erwin, I have formatted an earlier reply below with the required steps:
The following is for any version of DSPCB when Library Loader is not interfacing correctly to DSPCB.
1. Close Library Loader and DSPCB
2. Launch DSPCB by a right click and selecting "Run as Admin".
3. Close DSPCB.
These steps ensure the Windows OLE is registered correctly for DSPCB so that Library Loader can see DSPCB is launched.
Now launch DSPCB and then Library Loader as normal and they will communicate correctly.
Should you have any further issues please open a support ticket https://designspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new and the team will work with you to resolve.
I'm having a bit of difficulty as well...
I've followed the install instructions and can get DSPCB and LL running and I get as far as searching for and finding the parts I'm looking for (Specifically an ESP32 DevKitC module) but the "download" icon I see in the video and other examples doesn't actually download anything.
I get the choices to build or request an item be built. Trying option 1, I have no idea what package category to select as there doesn't seem to be a "module" category to choose.
I've tried SamacSys, Mouser and RS Components. Again, I can find the part, just no data to download.
As the option to "build or request to be built" is present there is not a component to download. You can then select Option 2 request item to be built you can then select package "Other" and it will be a custom creation by SamacSys as it is not one of the automatic build options, the fact that it is the list will trigger a manual build.
OK, makes sense. I assumed that since there were so many, there would be components built already.
Thx
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