Where to go from here? I need help.

[Altera_Forum]

I have completed my design, solved all the issues and it is function properly as I expected it. All of that was done on Cyclone III Starter board, and by using Quartus and other Altera tools. Now where I go from here if I want to move my design to be a real board and be able to sell it. 

  With little research I thought about:-  1-Creating a schematic of the component used in the design.  2-Create a BOARD from the schematic.  3-Send the board file to manufacturer to build it for me.    Sounds right? It might, but I need your input please.    I also found out that all of the above steps are VERY difficult for someone like me who have never before drawn a schematic, or created an actual board. I tried EAGLE software, it is useful but it assumes that you are an expert to create actual board.    I don’t know the basics even for what “pull up” resistor needs to be connected here at this FPGA pin not to burn it, etc...    I thought about referring to the Altera board schematic to know how to connect pins and draw my own schematic, adding to the other daughter boards schematics I used, to help me, but it is very hard to start from scratch.    Any idea how Quartus might help me to JUMP start?    Is there anything in Altera’s tools can use my working deign and create for my useful startup point?    I am not an expert but I heard that you can ask Altera’s tools to create a NET file or similar 'thing' that you can IMPORT in PCB tools? Is that right?  What I need to do to ease the PCB board phase on me, as I am quite a beginner?  For budget purposes I am intending to use EAGLE and can possibly buy the 700$ version. Any help to EXPORT things to EAGLE?      I appreciate your help.  Thanks alot.

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  I have completed my design, solved all the issues and it is function properly as I expected it. All of that was done on Cyclone III Starter board, and by using Quartus and other Altera tools. Now where I go from here if I want to move my design to be a real board and be able to sell it.    With little research I thought about:-  1-Creating a schematic of the component used in the design.   --- Quote End ---   Yes. And check it with soldering to you "Started board"    --- Quote Start ---    2-Create a BOARD from the schematic.   --- Quote End ---   PCB design.    --- Quote Start ---    3-Send the board file to manufacturer to build it for me.    --- Quote End ---   Gerber files.      --- Quote Start ---  I don’t know the basics even for what “pull up” resistor needs to be connected here at this FPGA pin not to burn it, etc...   --- Quote End ---   Think that this is a spring, attached to 3.3, 2.5, 1.8, etc Volts.       --- Quote Start ---    Is there anything in Altera’s tools can use my working deign and create for my useful startup point?   --- Quote End ---    I'm not sure that Altera can help you in this area. But you can some of you ideas  http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/ltspice.jsp

[Altera_Forum]

It would seem that at this point you are in over your head. You have a few options. You can either get someone else to do it for you / with you. Or you can spend the time to get your head above water. This would involve educating yourself about board design. You're not going to get that from the forum.  

 My suggestion would be to select a commercial PCB design package and take advantage of every training tool the vendor has to bring you up to speed. It's not going to happen overnight. With regards to the FPGA, you'll have to spend the time going through the datasheets and user's guides to get things right. You can always ask specific questions here about pull-ups on specific pins and such.  Jake

[Altera_Forum]

Theres always contracting a hardware guy to spin your design into a PCB for you. You can do it 5 times (each time fixing a different error introduced into the respin because you know nothing about power conditioning, various logic driver types or impedance matching and trace spacing) or pay someone for a few (4-6) weeks time to do it for you. 

 IMHO it's a financial no-brainer - it will cost a complete novice far more money to get a design right than to pay a professional... especially when you get the design back and it simply "doesn't work"...    add to this that so many hardware types have been out due to the recession, in order to re-tool themselves, they not only have learned to use PCB layout tools but many already own the schematic capture and PCB layout packages needed to do their jobs (I know I do) as well as debug equipment...    just my 2 cents

[Altera_Forum]

I have no experience making any circuit boards, but do understand the schematics and electrical. I've been studying this subject on my own for a few years, and here are some links I've found that you might find useful. 

 This document is a pretty good overview of PCB design.   http://alternatezone.com/electronics/files/pcbdesigntutorialreva.pdf   However, the more you learn, the more you realize there are a ton of design issues to consider before designing a PCB.   Here is another site I found with additional useful information. http://www.hottconsultants.com/tips.html   I also highly recommend looking at a PCB board house's capabilities, and make sure you understand all their terminology, so your board is manufacturable.   Advanced Circuits http://www.advancedcircuits.com shows this information. Click on capabilities.   And if you are curious about the manufacturing process, this website has a TON of information that I couldn't find anywhere else. http://www.ami.ac.uk/courses/topics/   Good Luck!

[Altera_Forum]

For all of you: >> Thank you very much. 

You input and opinion is considered, well taken, and currently in use.  Thanks a lot for the links, I find it very useful.  Please if you have more input, you are very welcome to post it, every point really counts at my side.