Target 3001 Version 11 / 12 Schematic, PCB and Simulator Program, who's using it??

[John Biles]

Hello Everyone,
Not having a great deal of money, I have spent the last few months searching for a "FREEWARE" Schematic, PCB and Simulator Program that is free and works.
After downloading a lot, i have found "Target 3001" to be a nice program to use. Its interface is up to date and doesn't look like it belongs on a 386 computer running Windows 3.1
The Manual you can download at the site is 306 Pages long so you should be able to find any answers you would need to use the program. It has regular updates.
The FREEWARE Version is limited to 100 pins which is enough for my projects.
I believe the Program itself is 25Megabits long and you need to download the Manual on its own.
At the site there is also a Guide to setting out a PCB which someone might find helpful if they haven't made a PCB before.

Now back to my question?
Is anyone else using "Target 3001" Version 11 / 12 and what do they feel about the Program.
I ask as I haven't discovered all it can do yet.
Are there any problems with the program or simulator errors.

[John Biles]

The more I use it the better it gets!
Here's the Link Enjoy!
www.ibfriedrich.com/english/index.htm

[John Biles]

Hello Everyone,
I've been using Version 11 and Now I find Ver 12 has been released.
One cool thing about it is it now allows you to see a 3D image of what your board could look like when finished.
It also does Front Panels templates.

[MRupp]

I am using Target, currently still V10 but will update to V12 soon. The program is not very intuitive and I needed some time to get used to it, but now I like it.

The freeware limit of 100 Pins might be a bit low so I would recommend the "light" version with 400 pins, still good value at ca. 50 Euros. Plus there are more expensive versions, off course.

[Cybergent]

A client recently supplied a project in Target. So I had to get involved with it.

This software is a desaster. I really hate it.

If you look for something free, go for Eagle by CadSoft.
Even that is not perfect, but there are worlds to Target...

[John Biles]

Hello MRupp,
How long in time did it take to learn how to use it.
I agree that it takes time to get use to using the program, but as you say once you get use to it, you like it.
As for other Simulators, PCB, Schematic Programs they seem just as hard to get use to as Target 3001, but to me Target 3001 is the one I want to learn to use as I feel it will be the Program that will fill all my needs for a long time.

[MRupp]

I cannot remember how much time I spent toying with Target, but it was a while. I would strongly suggest the "read the f***ng manual" approach with Target - which off course I rarely do.

The benefit of Target is that you are NOT limited in board size, and for my audio projects this is a must, my latest power supply board has A4 format. The Eagle freeware version says "The useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches)" i.e. not what I need.

Hope this helps.

[Cybergent]

OK, board size can be a limitation.

But when we talk about "free", does this really have to mean "zero"?

When people develop and build electronic gear, that costs several hundred $$$ in material, so what is the problem in spending a little amount for the software? The private licenses are so cheap, that this in fact is almost free.

On the other hand this Target stuff is so weird to handle, that I would pay for not having to use it instead of paying to use it....

[John Biles]

O.K !!
It looks like you either like or hate the program.
I will continue learning the program and make a decision on the usability and let you know the out come.

Please keep your comments coming.

[MRupp]

John,

You pretty much summarised it ... by now I quite like the program, though it's not the best software I ever used. I believe I used Eagle shortly and did not like it too much either, but it may just be that this type of software has to be complex???

On the subject of buying licences: while I would generally agree I find the $ 150 for the Eagle Non-Profit version a bit steep. It still seems to limit some functions by board size, and you have to sign a non-profit form .... that's more than I am willing to pay / do.