PCB Layout software

thomasfw · 21st April 2005, 08:12 AM

Dear All,
Where I can download a "Free" software for PCB layout ?

Thanks !

Thomas

Deltat · 21st April 2005, 08:19 AM

you can go to http://www.cadsoft.de/ and download Eagle. Im not a fan of it. I prefer orcad layout from cadence but its not free and the demo is worthless.

eugenio · 21st April 2005, 08:35 AM

try Eagle, there is a freeware version ( with limitation but fully...)

http://www.cadsoft.de/freeware.htm

or also express pcb

http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCB...d_software.htm

bye

pinkmouse · 21st April 2005, 08:38 AM

Thomas, please don't open more than one thread at once on the same subject. I have removed the others.

RHosch · 21st April 2005, 05:56 PM

I took a look at loads of free and inexpensive PCB layout programs, including Eagle, ExpressPCB, PCB123, PCB, etc.

I chose to go with PCB123's solution because it had no limitations (unlike Eagle), and the board prices for prototypes seemed much cheaper than ExpressPCB (not to be confused with PCBExpress, which is more or less the same operation as PCB123). The "community" freeware (PC and Linux) solutions didn't seem to be all that well supported. On the other hand, PCB123 has excellent support... give them a call, send them your file, ask a question on their support forums, man those guys are great when it comes to helping you through a problem. I should also note that now that I'm nearly finished with my first board in PCB123 it functions very well (ratsnest, layer change on the fly, multilayer boards well supported, easy to edit or create new part footprints, relatively competent autorouter, good artwork generation, design rule checking, 3D rendered board viewing, etc.).

As for it being proprietary (filetype) to PCB123, they do offer to send you the gerber file along with your first prototype order for another $50. Not that bad, really.

Lest this sound like a purely marketing post, let me quickly point out the glaring weakness of the PCB123 solution - the schematic capture program that is bundled. Apparently PCB123 purchased the SC from another source (whereas they wrote the PCB layout software from the ground up) and it is no diamond. Navigating the part libraries are a pain, many of the footprints for the included libraries (which are admittedly fairly extensive) are incorrect, there are bugs that you have to be aware of and work around, the on screen "look" of the schematic is not my favorite, net naming is cumbersome, etc. It works, and I got through it, and it will be simpler the next time I design a board, but I would guess that the learning required for the schematic is 4X that required for the layout program, which IMO seems a bit out of whack when you already have a schematic sketched out.

The upside is that the layout program will import a netlist created by other programs. I think they natively support Protel stuff, but I could be wrong. I've never used that functionality, so I can't comment on how well it works.

RHosch · 21st April 2005, 06:02 PM

Example:

21st April 2005, 08:12 AM	#1
thomasfw diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hong Kong	PCB Layout software Dear All, Where I can download a "Free" software for PCB layout ? Thanks ! Thomas

21st April 2005, 08:35 AM	#3
eugenio diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: firenze	try Eagle, there is a freeware version ( with limitation but fully...) http://www.cadsoft.de/freeware.htm or also express pcb http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCB...d_software.htm bye __________________ I love music

21st April 2005, 08:38 AM	#4
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Thomas, please don't open more than one thread at once on the same subject. I have removed the others. __________________ Al The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water; but to walk on the earth. Chinese Proverb

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Layout software	mashaffer	Tubes / Valves	2	26th February 2008 07:03 PM
PCB layout software	elementx	Parts	10	12th December 2006 05:22 AM
PCB layout software	rtarbell	Parts	1	10th January 2006 10:42 PM
PCB Layout Software	Apogee	Everything Else	33	17th July 2002 08:09 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


<a rel='nofollow' href='http://www.diyaudio.com/openx/www/delivery/ck.php?n=aa5cb2e9&cb=659216' target='_blank'><img src='http://www.diyaudio.com/openx/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=3&cb=659216&n=aa5cb2e9' border='0' alt='' /></a>	We're saving for a new server - help us to serve you by Donating Today and become a friend with benefits! Ads on/off / Custom Title / 2009 Tshirt / More PMs / Bigger Images / Advanced printing

21st April 2005, 08:19 AM	#2
Deltat diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO	you can go to http://www.cadsoft.de/ and download Eagle. Im not a fan of it. I prefer orcad layout from cadence but its not free and the demo is worthless.

21st April 2005, 05:56 PM	#5
RHosch diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: SouthEast	I took a look at loads of free and inexpensive PCB layout programs, including Eagle, ExpressPCB, PCB123, PCB, etc. I chose to go with PCB123's solution because it had no limitations (unlike Eagle), and the board prices for prototypes seemed much cheaper than ExpressPCB (not to be confused with PCBExpress, which is more or less the same operation as PCB123). The "community" freeware (PC and Linux) solutions didn't seem to be all that well supported. On the other hand, PCB123 has excellent support... give them a call, send them your file, ask a question on their support forums, man those guys are great when it comes to helping you through a problem. I should also note that now that I'm nearly finished with my first board in PCB123 it functions very well (ratsnest, layer change on the fly, multilayer boards well supported, easy to edit or create new part footprints, relatively competent autorouter, good artwork generation, design rule checking, 3D rendered board viewing, etc.). As for it being proprietary (filetype) to PCB123, they do offer to send you the gerber file along with your first prototype order for another $50. Not that bad, really. Lest this sound like a purely marketing post, let me quickly point out the glaring weakness of the PCB123 solution - the schematic capture program that is bundled. Apparently PCB123 purchased the SC from another source (whereas they wrote the PCB layout software from the ground up) and it is no diamond. Navigating the part libraries are a pain, many of the footprints for the included libraries (which are admittedly fairly extensive) are incorrect, there are bugs that you have to be aware of and work around, the on screen "look" of the schematic is not my favorite, net naming is cumbersome, etc. It works, and I got through it, and it will be simpler the next time I design a board, but I would guess that the learning required for the schematic is 4X that required for the layout program, which IMO seems a bit out of whack when you already have a schematic sketched out. The upside is that the layout program will import a netlist created by other programs. I think they natively support Protel stuff, but I could be wrong. I've never used that functionality, so I can't comment on how well it works.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)