Free software

[raul_77]

Hi all,

I have find a incredible web page:

www.autotraxeda.com

Are a software for schemes, pcb's and spice simulation, but free.

Seems to Protel.

Please visit.

Happy days,

Raúl Couto

[Lisandro_P]

Been looking for a good & free PCB software... thanks!

[Vivek]

Hi Raul, Lisandro,
After you have created the schematic, how do you autoroute it? I used the PCB Wizard, made it a custom, one layer PCB, but I get no output. I do not know what is going wrong. I tried to export the netlist, but no luck. The schematic also shows errors. I am confused. Can you help me?

Vivek

[Lisandro_P]

Dunno really. Briefly after triying AutoTRAX i downloaded EAGLE and liked it much better.

[Vivek]

Hi Lisandro,
Eagle is much easier and less confusing.

Vivek

[Lisandro_P]

Agree with you. Not only that, it feels more "pro" (if you know what i mean), is widely supported (checked for libraries and such? there're TONS of them!) and, it's avaliable in several plattaforms.

BTW, most of the minor limitations of the free version can be overcomed with... um.... *cough*downloadingapatch*cof* <mumble, mumble> . I don't think it'd be ethical to post it here, but drop me a mail if you want it!

[raul_77]

Hi all,

Evidently, AutoTRAX is still in development and it contains errors, what can be a problem for some, for that reason proposes another solution.

Some time ago, in a French magazine, a special about CAD was published in the one that there was four CD's with test versions, or free, of several programs.

One of them is CSIEDA 4.0: www.csieda.com.

In the CD of this program a free version was included that allows up to 250 pin.

The program includes: schemes, pcb's, spice, and even the possibility to draw in 3D the circuit.

It also includes libraries with 50.000 symbols (I have not counted them), more than 5.000 spice models, manuals and animations explaining the handling of the program.

The default instalation is in English, but also can be made in French.

The full program is totally professional and very expensive, something like that how Protel. But, in my opinion, 250 pin is more than enough for anyone of the projects that have appeared in diyaudio.

I can send a copy from the CD to somebody in America, and another copy to somebody in Europe, if commits to send in turn, at least two copies to other participants in diyaudio that request them to him, and so on. I cannot send a copy to everybody who wants it, it is too expensive for me.

The idea is that, maybe, this program can become something like that how the official software of diyaudio, and the exchange of files and of projects it will be much easier that sending graphic files. This forces to draw the schem or the pcb again to each one that is interested in him. This way, when including the file of the program, anyone will be able to open it, to edit it, and to send a new version to the forum.

This is the proposal. The total is about 500 Mb, for what to download it of a page web would be a problem for those that have connections of low speed, I find that the best solution is to send the CD's.

Naturally this can only be made by snail mail. I include you my data and, the interested ones, they can send me his and I will make the shipment at two of them.


Juan Raúl Couto Domínguez
Independencia 31, 3º
La Coruña 15002
España

coutodominguez@yahoo.es


It won't be this way necessary that nobody appeals to illegal copies. I wait your answers.

Happy days,

Raúl Couto.

[Circlotron]

raul_77, Protel did have a DOS product I first used back in 1988 called Autotrax, the cut down freeware version which is called Easytrax. I think it's strange this company Kovac Software can use the same name for a related product.

Now I have just downloaded this thing you recommended but not installed it yet and it came to 24,679,414 bytes on a 28.8k connection. So my question is - is the Spice part any good? If it is not then I am going to email the whole lot to you!

GP.

[raul_77]

Ciclotron et all,

Please read my previus response.

If any doubts, best CSIEDA.

Happy days

Raúl Couto

[sam9]

If one reads the autotrax help/documentation file is sounds pretty user freindly. I messed with it for a few days and found that it doesn't always work the way the documentation says. It is definately still under development and if it just behaved as documented it could be fairly nice for hobiest scale projects. From the point of view of someone (me) not experienced with professional level products such as Cadence, the graphic interface seems more intuitive than some others. That doesn't compensate for not working of course.

I wouldn't be surprised if the documentation was created before the code. That's a "top down" way to do it and could result in a very user friendly product if they get it to work. The company background is in animation. They claim a 3D viewer where you can look at (fly through a kla "Intel Inside" commercials) a "completed" board. Kool. But I rather they get the basics right first.