Flux Product Design Workflows

T

tchaybatchev

Briefly describe what it's like to design a complete product in Flux. Help me understand what the PCB-first and enclosure-first design workflows are like to work with.

flux

Designing a complete product in Flux means developing the electronics and mechanical packaging together, checking that power, connectors, mounting, and assembly all fit—not just finishing a PCB.
  • PCB-first: Start with the circuit, then size and lay out the board, and design the enclosure around it. This suits electronics-led products where circuit performance matters most and the external shape is flexible. It feels direct electrically, but the enclosure may need to grow around connectors or tall components.
  • Enclosure-first: Start with the product’s shape, mounting, controls, and connector access, then fit the PCB inside those constraints. This suits handheld devices or products that must fit a specific space. It gives you control over the user experience early, but can require more board-placement and routing compromises.
Both workflows are iterative: a mechanical fit check can change the PCB, and electrical or thermal requirements can change the enclosure. I haven’t changed your project this turn; this was an overview only. Execution stopped because your ACUs ran out.

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Schematic of ESP32 x86 PC | Advanced [Example]
KeyBoard
POWER
ESP1
U1
Manufacturer Part Number
AMS1117-3.3
VGA
IC1
Mouse
C4
Capacitance
10uF
C11
Capacitance
0.1uF
C8
Capacitance
10uF
C6
Capacitance
0.1uF
C7
Capacitance
0.1uF
Flux Logo2
Flux Logo1
C9
Capacitance
10uF
C5
Capacitance
10uF
Q3
R1
Resistance
10kΩ
Q6
Q7
R10
Resistance
430 Ω
Q5
R9
Resistance
820 Ω
R2
Resistance
5.1kΩ
R50
Resistance
0 Ω
R4
Resistance
1kΩ
R15
Resistance
10kΩ
Q1
R8
Resistance
430 Ω
R3
Resistance
5.1kΩ
R53
Resistance
0 Ω
R13
Resistance
10kΩ
R11
Resistance
10kΩ
R5
Resistance
820 Ω
R6
Resistance
430 Ω
R52
Resistance
0 Ω
R16
Resistance
10kΩ
R12
Resistance
10kΩ
R14
Resistance
10kΩ
R54
Resistance
0 Ω
R7
Resistance
820 Ω
R18
Resistance
10kΩ
Q2
R17
Resistance
10kΩ
3V3
PWR
TX
RESET
EN
GND
BOOT
IO0
RX

ESP32 x86 PC | Advanced [Example]