Cheap or Free PCB Layout software? - Page 2

mg16 · 15th December 2001, 05:49 PM

The Assist component library includes the ability to define custom components. The library itself contains hundreds of semis, resistors, caps,diodes,sockets, etc., but you can easily add your own custom defined parts also.
mg16

tvi · 15th December 2001, 06:22 PM

I like Proteus Lite from labcentre uk, exports BMP, METAFILE, DXF, EPS.

Attached is a BMP of a my copy of the Hiraga Class A PCB.
439 kb as BMP so I converted it to GIF

The demo has a max size of A4 and 100 pins (unlimited vias)
ARES Lite is the lone PCB package

<a href="http://www.labcenter.co.uk/">Proteus lite</a>

Regards
James

mlloyd1 · 16th December 2001, 03:05 AM

I remembered I had saved this link for comments on lots of CAD packages from the sci.electronics.cad newsgroup in june.

mlloyd1
_________________
http://www.terrypin.dial.pipex.com/ECADList.html

Joe Berry · 16th December 2001, 06:46 AM

Grey,

I understand your reluctance to spend money (esp. at this time) in view of all the freeware available in this category -- all the more so because many of these programs seem to over-promise and under-deliver anyway. Why buy trouble when you can get all you want for free?

OTOH, I've wasted lots of time and effort in the past trying to get "free" programs to do what I need. Eventually I would run out of patience and spend the money. At least in the case of Easy-PC, I've had no regrets. There may be other comparable Windows-based products, but Easy-PC was the first I found that was stable, intuitive, reasonably full-featured, and could handle custom components.

It was also "affordable," which for me means that it quickly paid for itself in time saved (I'm self-employed, so this matters to me in ways it may not to others), and did not cost much more than I might spend on a Digi-Key or Mouser parts order.

Having said that, if I could live with its limitations, I'd be very happy using the free download of ExpressPCB. It's the very model of a user-friendly program, IMO.

(BTW, I have no commercial interest in either product.)

tvi · 16th December 2001, 01:21 PM

try try again ?

paulb · 16th December 2001, 04:54 PM

My criteria for work and hobby are quite different. $150 US (>$225 CDN) is way above what I intended as 'cheap'.
I think what has come closest so far would be ExpressPCB, but don't know about export capabilities (probably minimal, given its raison d'etre).
The link that mlloyd1 gave is a great list, but doesn't seem to give indication of subjective ease of use. Noticed Edwin is on there, I don't recommend it.

GRollins · 17th December 2001, 01:11 AM

Even a list of programs to avoid would be a help...

Grey

sdman · 17th December 2001, 03:14 AM

Ditto!

jduncan · 17th December 2001, 04:56 AM

ExpressPCB, although free, requires you to use their fabrication service as you cant export at all. Needless to say this, although not obscenely expensive is more than some other better options that are around....if you did a few pcb's you'd pay for some "cheap" software easily in the fabrication price difference.

paulb · 17th December 2001, 05:31 AM

Weeghel at headwize.com uses ExpressPCB and captures to a PDF to make his own boards:
http://headwize.powerpill.org/ubb/sh...ays=20&stime=0

15th December 2001, 05:49 PM	#11
mg16 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: western pa	PCB LAYOUT The Assist component library includes the ability to define custom components. The library itself contains hundreds of semis, resistors, caps,diodes,sockets, etc., but you can easily add your own custom defined parts also. mg16

17th December 2001, 03:14 AM	#18
sdman diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southwest	Ditto! __________________ Sam

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15th December 2001, 06:22 PM	#12
tvi diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Moonee Ponds, Vic, Australia	I like Proteus Lite from labcentre uk, exports BMP, METAFILE, DXF, EPS. Attached is a BMP of a my copy of the Hiraga Class A PCB. 439 kb as BMP so I converted it to GIF The demo has a max size of A4 and 100 pins (unlimited vias) ARES Lite is the lone PCB package <a href="http://www.labcenter.co.uk/">Proteus lite</a> Regards James

16th December 2001, 03:05 AM	#13
mlloyd1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: illinois	I remembered I had saved this link for comments on lots of CAD packages from the sci.electronics.cad newsgroup in june. mlloyd1 _________________ http://www.terrypin.dial.pipex.com/ECADList.html

16th December 2001, 06:46 AM	#14
Joe Berry diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: USA	Grey, I understand your reluctance to spend money (esp. at this time) in view of all the freeware available in this category -- all the more so because many of these programs seem to over-promise and under-deliver anyway. Why buy trouble when you can get all you want for free? OTOH, I've wasted lots of time and effort in the past trying to get "free" programs to do what I need. Eventually I would run out of patience and spend the money. At least in the case of Easy-PC, I've had no regrets. There may be other comparable Windows-based products, but Easy-PC was the first I found that was stable, intuitive, reasonably full-featured, and could handle custom components. It was also "affordable," which for me means that it quickly paid for itself in time saved (I'm self-employed, so this matters to me in ways it may not to others), and did not cost much more than I might spend on a Digi-Key or Mouser parts order. Having said that, if I could live with its limitations, I'd be very happy using the free download of ExpressPCB. It's the very model of a user-friendly program, IMO. (BTW, I have no commercial interest in either product.)

16th December 2001, 04:54 PM	#16
paulb diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary	My criteria for work and hobby are quite different. $150 US (>$225 CDN) is way above what I intended as 'cheap'. I think what has come closest so far would be ExpressPCB, but don't know about export capabilities (probably minimal, given its raison d'etre). The link that mlloyd1 gave is a great list, but doesn't seem to give indication of subjective ease of use. Noticed Edwin is on there, I don't recommend it.

17th December 2001, 01:11 AM	#17
GRollins diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Columbia, SC	Even a list of programs to avoid would be a help... Grey

17th December 2001, 04:56 AM	#19
jduncan diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA	ExpressPCB, although free, requires you to use their fabrication service as you cant export at all. Needless to say this, although not obscenely expensive is more than some other better options that are around....if you did a few pcb's you'd pay for some "cheap" software easily in the fabrication price difference.

17th December 2001, 05:31 AM	#20
paulb diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary	Weeghel at headwize.com uses ExpressPCB and captures to a PDF to make his own boards: http://headwize.powerpill.org/ubb/sh...ays=20&stime=0

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