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AI Shortcuts for PCB Design

Written by Jake Hertz

Published - 2 min read

A schematic diagram of a project on Flux showing an electrical engineer accessing the Copilot shortcut

When we launched Flux Copilot earlier this year, our goal was to make your lives easier. We wanted to bring the power of AI to the otherwise antiquated and confusing hardware design process. Our goal was to give you the tools necessary to bring your design from dream to reality.

But why stop there? Today, we’re excited to be launching the next step in Copilot’s evolution: the Copilot Context Menu.

AI at the Click on a Button

The Copilot Context Menu makes harnessing the power of Copilot easier than ever before. By giving users a list of predetermined prompts and actions to choose from, the Context Menu lets you access Copilot with the click of a button. Simply right-click on a component or project, and choose the prompt you want to use.

A schematic diagram of a project on Flux showing an electrical engineer accessing the Copilot shortcut

Some options include:

  • Check Decoupling Capacitors: Decoupling capacitors can be confusing. If you’ve ever wondered whether a part needs them, whether you have enough of them, or if your values are correct, Copilot has you covered with a ready-made prompt.
  • Explain: Not sure what’s happening in a circuit? Just select the “Explain” prompt and Copilot will give you a detailed explanation of your schematic.
  • Recommend Replacement: Worried about your part’s availability? Select this prompt and Copilot will search through thousands of components to find the perfect replacement for your circuit.

Improve Productivity, Remove Bottlenecks

Copilot relies on Large Language Model (LLM) technology, whose quality and accuracy may vary. For this reason, it’s important to think of Copilot as a tool to augment your work, not a replacement for a real engineer. But, now that Copilot is even easier to use, the opportunities are endless.

As a professional, you can catch errors earlier on, save time, and reduce risks in your design. As a student, you can learn faster and get a deeper understanding of your designs. As anyone who loves hardware, you can have more confidence in your design knowing that a powerful AI has your back every step along the way.

Get Started Now!

Copilot keeps getting better, but it would be meaningless without the Flux community. The real power of Copilot lies in what each Flux user will create with it. We can’t wait to see what amazing designs you all come up with. So what are you waiting for? Try out Copilot today!

About the author

Jake Hertz

Electronics Engineer at Flux

Jake Hertz is an Electrical Engineer who works with Flux. He has his M.S. and B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and previously worked for MakerBot Industries where he worked developing the electrical systems for next-generation 3D printers. Find him on Flux @jakehertz

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