Describe the rig
State what the board needs to do and get an editable first pass to refine, not a blank canvas.
For researchers
Spin up test rigs fast.
Go from "I need a board that does X" to a real, editable schematic quickly, then simulate, lay out, and generate fab files, with every revision versioned in git.
- Fast iteration
- SPICE, layout & fab files
- Versioned & local
TRUSTED BY ENGINEERS ATMIT·Stanford·Georgia Tech·Purdue·Texas·Cornell
The problem
Custom rigs should not take a week of schematic work
- One-off test boards still demand full schematic capture you don't have time for.
- Tracking design revisions across experiments is messy.
- Sourcing real, available parts for a niche rig is tedious.
How ProtoFlow helps
Simulate before you build
Run operating-point, transient, AC and DC sweep analyses in ngspice to sanity-check a front end or filter before you commit to a board. Results are only as good as the models.
Iterate and version
Built-in git and visual diff overlays keep every revision of an experimental board straight.
Source real parts
Search distributors in one place so your niche rig uses components you can actually get.
From requirement to fab files
- 1Describe
State what the rig needs
Describe the board’s job and constraints and get an editable starting schematic.
- 2Draft
Iterate, simulate, version
Refine the design, check it in SPICE, track every revision with git, and compare changes with visual diffs.
- 3Build
Lay out and export for fab
Lay out and route the board, clear DRC, and export Gerbers and drill files, or export a KiCad project if your lab works there.
FAQ
Is it good for one-off boards?
Yes. It shortens schematic capture and keeps layout and fab outputs in the same app, so a custom rig goes from idea to fab files without switching tools.
Can I track revisions?
Git integration and visual diff overlays version design changes like the rest of your stack.
Can I export for fabrication?
Yes. ProtoFlow exports Gerber X2 with a job file, Excellon drills, and BOM/CPL files formatted for JLCPCB assembly. You can also export a KiCad or Altium project if your lab finishes boards there.
How far can I trust the simulation?
It is standard SPICE (ngspice), so results depend on the models you use. Treat it as a check on the design, not a substitute for bench measurements.
Explore more
Use caseSchematic capture
Describe a circuit in plain English and get an editable schematic with real parts: the first step of a flow that continues into layout, simulation and manufacturing in the same app.
ExploreUse caseCleanup & export
Auto-clean a messy first pass and export a ready-to-use KiCad or Altium project when your team standardizes there. Or keep going into layout and manufacturing in ProtoFlow.
ExploreWho it's forHardware engineers
ProtoFlow drafts the schematic from your brief with real parts, then carries it through PCB layout, SPICE simulation and manufacturing files in one desktop app. Export to KiCad or Altium when your team standardizes there.
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