The first step of the process is to download Eagle, to do this proceed to http://www.cadsoftusa.com/download-eagle/

The next step is to install Eagle.

Windows:Download the eagle-win32-7.3.0.exe file from the above link.Open the installer and follow the on screen directions.

When starting EAGLE for the first time you will get a pop up informing you that Eagle's home directory has not been created yet. Click Yes to create the directory.

The next popup you will get is the licensing prompt. You can choose to run Eagle as freeware or use a license file. If you choose freeware the software will be limited to (1 schematic sheet, 2 signal layers, 100x80mm routing area). Licensing information for Eagle can be found here https://shop.cadsoftusa.com/en/.

This may pop up occasionally on startup, typically when your version of Eagle is out of date. Click OK to clear.

The main Eagle window is split into six sections.

Libraries – Contains libraries of parts and footprints you can use in designsDesign Rules – Contains DRC files used for configuring the DRCUser Language Programs (ULPs) – Scripts for doing non-standard functions (ie: silkscreen generation)CAM Jobs – Scripts for generating manufacturing files such as Gerber-274X filesProjects – The projects tab contains all of your projects that you have created

Opening up the libraries tab will display all of the installed libraries. The green dot next to the indicates that they are enabled. If the dot is gray then you will need to right click and enable them.

Next we are going to create a project. Right click “Projects” and select New Project.

Now we will create a new schematic

Create a new schematic by clicking New → Schematic.

That will create a blank schematic.

Now we will use the Add tool to add prts to our schematic.

When you click the add tool this window will pop up. This displays all of the currently installed/enabled libraries and parts in the index. You have the choice of browsing or searching for your desired parts.

In this case I navigated to led->LED->LED5MM, we are picking a 5mm through holed LED. Click OK.

This will place the part onto your cursor. Click anywhere to place the part onto the schematic.

Once you place your part the selected part will remain on your cursor. You can continue placing the same part again, or you can hit the ESC key to pick a new part, or lastly you can select a different tool in the left menu.

Next we are picking a 2 pin connector. This time I navigated to Sparkfun-Connectors->M02->M02PTH. Click OK.

Now that we have placed our LED and our connector we need to connect them together. To do this we will use the Net Tool.

In this picture the net tool is selected.

To start using the net tool click one of the connections on the connector. You will notice that a greenline now follows your cursor. This is called a net. You can click anywhere on the schematic to place it in a fixed point in order to route it nicely or you can place it on another electrical connection to end it or double click to place it anywhere.

Now we have an electrical connection from one side of the connector to one side of the LED.Go ahead and do the other side as well.

This is the completed schematic.

Next we move onto the PCB design.

Click this button in the top menu. This button allows you to switch between the PCB and the Schematic modes of Eagle.

If you are opening the PCB view for the first time it will prompt you asking if you would like to create a PCB file from your current schematic. The answer to this is almost always YES.

Once you click yes you will see this screen. This is an empty board with your components from the schematic all placed in a grid in the lower left hand corner. The white outlined box is the border of your PCB. You can change this size by click any corner with the select tool and moving it. Keep in mind different versions of Eagle have different board size limitations.

Now we move our parts to their desired location. You can do this by selecting the select tool. Then clicking a part to select it and moving your cursor to the desired location. Then click at the desired location to drop the part there. Next move the white outline to just outside of where your parts are, like shown in the picture. This white outline will be the outer edge of your circuit board when it is made.

The yellow lines between the pins of the components are called airwires. Airwires represent a connection that was made on your schematic. Basically they are there to tell you what needs to connect to what. Now we will begin connecting devices together with traces. Select the route tool.

Next we will connect the left pin of the LED to the left pin of the header since these two are connected with an airwire.

The color of the trace represents what layer it exists on. Usually blue represents the bottom layer and red the top layer. Any other colors can be determined by selecting the layer drop down menu.We have now connected the left pin of the header to the left pin of the LED. Now go ahead and do the same for the right most pins.

This is what the finished PCB looks like. This is an extremely simple example. Go ahead and try making more advanced circuits and board layouts.