1. Build on a Breadboard Simulator
Build using 123D from AutoDesk
Nick Carter 5/7/2016

2. What is an Simulator?
An Engineering Simulator lets you build things and test them using computer models.
Games like Minecraft let you build computer models too.
Engineering Simulators have models of Electronic components that you can connect together and see what happens when you apply electricity or signals or programs to them.
Arduino

3. 123D from AutoDesk
This is a free tool – you have to register for a free account
It uses a plug-in breadboard as the basis for building circuits to simulate.
It is all online and the circuits you create are open for anyone to look at and copy and you can look at and copy other people’s too.
It has Arduinos as components too and you can make and run programs for them and connect them to the breadboards.

4. Getting Started – make an account
Go to web page “123D.circuits.io”
Register for an account – talk to your parents about what information to put in. They may want to put their information in for you to use.
Parents should look at the privacy statement and depending on age, some activities or access require parents involvement. Parents should read Children’s Privacy Policy at
Click “Sign up” at top right of home page.
You will need a username and password, an age and an address.
They also ask for other information but I don’t think you need to put that.
Other people can see your user name and your circuits but not much else.

5. Start Screen Click “Open Electronics Lab Hub”
Click This

6. Electronics Lab
There is a lot on this page, scroll down to look quickly but don’t click for now.
Scroll back up and click on “Watch Introduction Video”
When the video is finished, click on “ + New” button or “New Electronics Lab”

7. Making a Circuit
First they give you an empty breadboard. Each dot is a hole for a component wire. Hover the mouse and connected holes will link
Type a name for your circuit – instead of “Unnamed”
Hover mouse over buttons to see what they do
Each row all dots connected for power wiring
Each row all connected for power wiring
Each group of 5
dots all connected _ +

8. Components Click + Component.
A scrolling window appears with components. Scroll up and down to see. Click on the component and click on the breadboard to get one on it. Then try deleting it. (Delete or trash can)
Try “Undo” and “Redo” buttons
If the wires end on breadboard holes they will “connect” to the breadboard wiring. You can drag the component and rotate it to make it where you want. Components have connectors at wire ends. Hover the mouse over to see them.
You can add your own wires too. Click on a breadboard hole or component connector point and move the mouse to make a wire. Click on another hole to join the holes. ESC key cancels the wire.

9. Make your LED circuit with LED, Resistor, Battery and Switch
You have to imagine the wiring in the breadboard.
Each group of connected holes is like the solder joint we made – connecting all components in the group.
Use + Component to put a Resistor, LED, Battery with 2 AA cells and a Slide Switch onto the bread board so they connect to the holes to let you connect to the next component
You may have to rotate them to get the component ends on the breadboard rows.
LED long lead is + side
You can put components and wires anywhere else on the breadboard that will connect them

10. Make your LED circuit and Resistor and Battery and Switch
You have to imagine the wiring in the breadboard.
Each group of connected holes is like the solder joint we made – connecting all components in the group.
Battery+ to Switch to Resistor to LED to Battery --.
Here is ONE way – But you can put components and wires anywhere else on the breadboard that will connect them

11. Simulate your circuit Click the “Start Simulation” button.
This turns the Electricity on and off to the circuit.
Turn off simulation to add or delete components
Click on the Slide Switch to change the position of the ON/OFF
Does the LED go ON and OFF?
Click on each component in turn and see the box that pops up. See what you can change and try changing things.

12. Did you try this?? Changing Resistor value - what happens to the LED
Change the number and the multiplier (dropdown list)
(Use the list sign (Greek letter Omega, for Ohms)
Making the number very low?
Making the number very high?
Did you see anything change on the resistor?
Changing LED color?
Changing Wire Color?
Adding another LED
Add another LED so it lights when the switch is in the other position

13. Your Circuit Diagram (Schematic)
You have an automatic Circuit Diagram too - but it is not arranged well
Click the middle “beetle” top right, “Schematics View”
Circuits are easier to understand when no wires are crossing
You may have to rotate and move things to make it look good.
Try making it look clear like this – you don’t have to copy, just make it easy to understand

14. Can you trace the circuit connections?