PCB Software

[bigmike216]

Hi!

I've been messing around with ExpressPCB, and it's quite easy to use... but I can't sem to find a way to actually make your own pcb's from it.. when you print, it comes out on a gray background with a grid..

What's some other good pcb software? or is there a way to do it with ExpressPCB?

[scott wurcer]

Has anyone tried printing it to a file and editing the postscript? Might not be easy but I played with postscript 10 or 12 years ago and a gray backround and grid could be just a couple of lines.

[jleaman]

Originally posted by bigmike216
Hi!

I've been messing around with ExpressPCB, and it's quite easy to use... but I can't sem to find a way to actually make your own pcb's from it.. when you print, it comes out on a gray background with a grid..

What's some other good pcb software? or is there a way to do it with ExpressPCB?

I use eagle on linux.

www.cadsoft.de Wicked software too. !!

[Leolabs]

U can try PCB123 too

Regarding the grid and background of Express PCB,u need a few tricks to get rid of them.

Hardware way:Print out the thing u want,scan back into ur PC using a scanner,save as .jpg files,process it using photo/picture editing software(ie:Photoshop,Paint.....),then print again(watch for the scale)

Software way:U need some sort of "virtual printer"(most of them are shareware )for the first 2 steps mentioned above.

[xplod1236]

Originally posted by Leolabs
Software way:U need some sort of "virtual printer"(most of them are shareware )for the first 2 steps mentioned above.

Or you need to hit shift + print screen and then paste it into paint.

[bigmike216]

it doesn't come out the printer the right size if you printscreen.

[zlast]

Try this:

http://www.waldherr.com/download.htm

You cannot save with the demo version...but it is EXTREMELY easy to use...

[davesaudio]

I think I said this a while ago:
**
I either
1) just print the express pcb image and manipulate
with photo copier if need sizing -
2) use grabit pro or similar and capture the screen (bmp etc) then
manipulate further in photoshop

ok, maybe learning eagle is not a bad idea....
**
I don't think the dots in express pcb interfered with photo
processes but photoshop was able to fix it up
too much work...

In the end I did switch to eagle

[tess]

This what I used to do, but its far easier to print if you learn Eagle.

copied from: http://www.robotroom.com/PCB.html


Printing Around ExpressPCB

Although it would be nice to print from within ExpressPCB, printing from their File menu includes a grid and grayscale background that messes up the copper layer. (Version 2.1.0 through 4.1.2 tested.)

I wonder if this was on purpose to prevent hobbyists from creating their own homemade printed circuit boards using ExpressPCB software? I don't see how it hurts them for newbies to learn PCB layout on their software. To the contrary, this prevents potential customers from testing their circuit before ordering. (Dear ExpressPCB, If you're reading this, please clean up the printing! Be confident that the quality of your product and service is enough to attract regular business away from home-etched boards as people get tired of etching their own or create a successful design that they want multiple copies of.)

No problem, you just need to take a screen shot and print from a graphics program! Here's how:

1. Choose Options in the View menu.
2. Turn off "Show Grid".
3. Turn off "View top copper layer" or "View bottom copper layer" depending on which you don't want to print.
4. Turn off "View silkscreen layer".
5. Turn off "View corners".
6. Switch to the Colors tab.
7. Change Background to white.
8. Change Top layer to black.
9. Change Bottom layer to black.
10. Change Board edges to black (if you want a border to help align or cut on).
11. Click the OK button.

Now the window appears exactly as it needs to be printed. All extraneous parts are hidden and all copper parts are in black.

12. Zoom (enlarge) until the board image is as large as can possibly fit completely within the window.
13. Take a screen shot (press both the Alt and Print Screen keys simultaneously).
14. Run a paint program. For example, Microsoft Photo Editor or Paint Shop Pro.
15. Choose Paste (or Paste As New Image) from the Edit menu. The screen shot should now appear in the paint window.
16. Crop as desired.
17. Print from the File menu. Microsoft Photo Editor's print dialog allows a final size to be specified in inches, which is handy. Otherwise use the percent % scaling option until the printed image matches the desired size.

What a pain! Okay, that's what I get for using free software.

[frdchang]

i found that pcb123 was a piece of crap.

expresspcb is the way to go.

maybe its because i like how expressPCB works... it just feels more intuitive.

pcb123 has been frantically upgrading... i belive its on version 2.1... i bet when it gets around 4.0 it will be a solid program and smooth program like expressPCB.. until then, expressPCB is what i use.