Windows software for schematics and PCB

akis · 27th July 2008, 03:33 PM

Hi there

Is there any software that you know of I can use to draw schematics and PCB layouts? I do not mean commercial costing 1 million pounds of course

Thanks

zlast · 27th July 2008, 03:59 PM

Eagle has a limited version for free:

http://www.cadsoft.de/

Limitations

The following limitations apply to the EAGLE Light Edition in general:

* The useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches).
* Only two signal layers can be used (Top and Bottom).
* The schematic editor can only create one sheet.

Jan Dupont · 27th July 2008, 04:00 PM

Did you search ?
Layout and Pcboard software... please friends, suggest me something really simple
Need easy to use schematic program thats up to date
Cheap or Free PCB Layout software?

Plus many many more

Zen Mod · 27th July 2008, 06:25 PM

Kicad

Minion · 27th July 2008, 07:11 PM

I seem to use Express PCB most often because it is really easy to use accept that it has a limited Parts library ,But makeing custom parts is easy....For home made boards I just take the PCB design and use a paint program to make a design I can etch myself....

akis · 27th July 2008, 09:58 PM

hello, and thanks, I will try your suggestions, sorry for now using the search facility more effectively.

akis · 3rd August 2008, 11:17 AM

Hello again, I have been practising with Eagle light and have some questions

It allows me to create a board out of a schematic but once the board is present there is no way to tell it "scrap the board, I have changed the schematic, start all over" - to do this I manually delete the board file on the disk, and then it re-creates the board, but I thought there would be an easier way?

Even though I have specified 0.1" size routes on the schematic, the board "auto" applies very thin routes. I ended up drawing the lines by hand (which probably is neater).

Is there a way to (a) "use" multiple libraries instead of "use" one at a time? And how can you remove a library from the list, once you have mistakenly used it?

And finally, once I have the PCB bottom side printed in 1x or 2x on my laser printer, how do I transfer it to a PCB? Is there an easy method other than drawing the lines by hand with a special pen and then etching the board at home?

Many thanks

brutepuppy · 4th August 2008, 04:31 AM

PCB Artist has just about everything you could want. And it's a freebe to download. You cannot go wrong.

mlloyd1 · 4th August 2008, 05:30 AM

thanks for the tip.
looks interesting ...

mlloyd1

Quote:

Originally posted by brutepuppy
PCB Artist has just about everything you could want. And it's a freebe to download. You cannot go wrong.

mobyd · 4th August 2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brutepuppy
PCB Artist has just about everything you could want. And it's a freebe to download. You cannot go wrong.

Caution - ties you to one PCB supplier
M

27th July 2008, 03:33 PM	#1
akis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	Windows software for schematics and PCB Hi there Is there any software that you know of I can use to draw schematics and PCB layouts? I do not mean commercial costing 1 million pounds of course Thanks

27th July 2008, 03:59 PM	#2
zlast diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: none	PCB Eagle has a limited version for free: http://www.cadsoft.de/ Limitations The following limitations apply to the EAGLE Light Edition in general: * The useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches). * Only two signal layers can be used (Top and Bottom). * The schematic editor can only create one sheet. __________________ none

27th July 2008, 04:00 PM	#3
Jan Dupont diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark	Did you search ? Layout and Pcboard software... please friends, suggest me something really simple Need easy to use schematic program thats up to date Cheap or Free PCB Layout software? Plus many many more __________________ Free Schematic and Service Manual downloads www.audio-circuit.dk, Company: www.dupont-audio.com, Joint venture: www.DupontMantra.com

27th July 2008, 06:25 PM	#4
Zen Mod diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: ancient Batsch , behind Iron Curtain	Kicad __________________ my Papa is smarter than your Nelson ! tnx to clean thread ; Cook Book ; PSM LS Cook Book ; Baby Diyaudio FORUM ; BAF Forum & Gallery;I'm dumb

4th August 2008, 04:31 AM	#8
brutepuppy diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	PCB Artist has just about everything you could want. And it's a freebe to download. You cannot go wrong. __________________


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

27th July 2008, 07:11 PM	#5
Minion diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	I seem to use Express PCB most often because it is really easy to use accept that it has a limited Parts library ,But makeing custom parts is easy....For home made boards I just take the PCB design and use a paint program to make a design I can etch myself....

27th July 2008, 09:58 PM	#6
akis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	hello, and thanks, I will try your suggestions, sorry for now using the search facility more effectively.

3rd August 2008, 11:17 AM	#7
akis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	Hello again, I have been practising with Eagle light and have some questions It allows me to create a board out of a schematic but once the board is present there is no way to tell it "scrap the board, I have changed the schematic, start all over" - to do this I manually delete the board file on the disk, and then it re-creates the board, but I thought there would be an easier way? Even though I have specified 0.1" size routes on the schematic, the board "auto" applies very thin routes. I ended up drawing the lines by hand (which probably is neater). Is there a way to (a) "use" multiple libraries instead of "use" one at a time? And how can you remove a library from the list, once you have mistakenly used it? And finally, once I have the PCB bottom side printed in 1x or 2x on my laser printer, how do I transfer it to a PCB? Is there an easy method other than drawing the lines by hand with a special pen and then etching the board at home? Many thanks

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