Electronic – Virtual Breadboard design

breadboarddesign

I am building a open source application in which digital circuits can be built on breadboard using IC, wires, LED and some off board components(clock, 7-segment etc). I have made a initial design of breadboard (through programming, not in image processor), i have some questions regarding this breadboard shown below –
enter image description here

It is as i said in initial stages.
So as you can see the area is quite small.(100% size)

  1. Is it incorrect to have only 2 bus rows? (by this i am concerned, if you as a user will be annoyed or angry without top and bottom bus)

  2. Is the spacing between various contacts appropriate? [Answered well]

  3. Is the Top View only, for IC, wires, LED etc. confusing? [Answered well]

  4. I have used Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Black wires in my laboratory. Have you used any other contrasting color which should be used here?

Any other fault with this design?
Criticism is welcome.

Best Answer

1) Physical breadboards are available with core sections and bus sections as individual dockable modules, so the arrangement you show is realizable but my personal preference would be for a pair of bus row on top and bottom as well.

2) Spacing seems to be right for the core module, should be 300 mills or 3 units between top and bottom halves. However the spacing on your bus rows is different than the physical example in front of me, which has 5 holes lining up with those in the core, then one missing, then another 5, etc. The spacing across the gap to the bus row is also 300 mill.

3) I'm not sure I'd say confusing, but the color choices and graphic thicknesses induces eye strain. Consider taking a photo and more closely duplicating that with more shades of color.

Reading your question I immediately wondered if you know about http://fritzing.org/ - at the least, check it out and identify in your own mind the reasons why your open source effort should be separate from theirs. You don't have to post your conclusions, but if you decide to remain distinct thinking about how yours would be better may provide some useful guidance.