Getting Started
This quick-start guide gets you into LoomCAD and designing in minutes. For a deeper introduction, see Welcome to LoomCAD and Core Concepts.
Opening the App
- Navigate to eda.loomcad.com
- Sign in with your account
- You'll see the Start Screen
From the Start Screen you can:
- Create a new project
- Open existing projects
- Access your libraries
Interface at a Glance
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Canvas | The main drawing area where you design |
| Toolbar | Top bar with drawing tools |
| Side Menu | Access to library, layers, and settings |
| Status Bar | Coordinates, zoom, and quick actions |
| Inspector | Edit properties of selected elements |
See Interface Overview for full details.
Basic Workflow
- Create a project from the Start Screen
- Add components from library or create custom
- Draw bundles to define wire routing paths
- Connect wires between component pins
- Review and validate your design
- Export PDF and Excel for manufacturing
Real-World Example
See the Friday Afternoon RFQ scenario for an end-to-end workflow walkthrough.
Essential Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Space | Open Command Palette |
| Escape | Cancel / Select tool |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+Shift+Z | Redo |
| Alt+W | Wire tool |
| Alt+B | Bundle tool |
See Keyboard Shortcuts for the full list.
Next Steps
Tutorials
- Your First Harness - Step-by-step harness creation
- Working with Libraries - Use built-in and DigiKey libraries
- Exporting - Generate manufacturing documentation
Learn the Concepts
- Core Concepts - Terminology and element types
- Components - Component properties and features
- Wires - Wire properties and visualization
- Bundles - Bundle routing and splices
Advanced Features
- AI Copilot - AI-powered design assistant
- Scripting - Automate repetitive tasks
- Command Palette - Quick command access