limits on freeware PCB design software

akis · 20th July 2009, 12:28 PM

Hello

I use Diptrace but have been hitting the limit of 250 holes. Do you have any suggestions for free PCB design that can do slightly more? I would be happy with 400-500.

Thanks

PigletsDad · 20th July 2009, 12:53 PM

I use PCB (see http://pcb.gpleda.org/index.html) on Linux - this is truly free (no cost - full rights), and can do projects of any size, only limited by machine memory and CPU.

You can use it with the other elements of the gEda suite, so that you can do full netlist verification against a schematic.

Supposedly, you can make it work on Windows using cygwin, but I haven't tried that myself.

Mr Evil · 20th July 2009, 03:16 PM

Try Kicad. It's not perfect, but it is completely free.

firechief · 30th July 2009, 08:06 PM

Been looking for a chance to sing the prases of Kicad, both schematic capture, and Layout. Easy to learn, powerfull enough for DIY or even small comercial. FREE, several projects under my belt with this tool.

mlloyd1 · 30th July 2009, 08:25 PM

FreePCB
pretty good support but no integrated schematic capture.
(andyc has a webpage on using ltspice schematics as input)

mlloyd1

Fenris · 31st July 2009, 06:04 PM

I like FreePCB as well. I've been using it for almost 4 years now and done dozens of PCBs with it. It's not perfect, but it's easy to throw on a thumb drive and use on any Windows computer.

rckbrwn · 20th August 2009, 08:14 PM

Diptrace is offering a free upgrade of vers 2 to 500 pins. Email them for an unlock code. Tell them where you saw this. I saw it this thread.
http://forums.parallax.com/forums/de...?f=15&m=374963

Rick

Buck_nekid · 21st August 2009, 03:25 PM

I've used this in the past. It is to having them manufacture the boards for you which could be good or bad depending. It did everything I needed it to do but I am just a beginner, not making motherboards. The software is free they make the money by making the boards but whose said they had to??

http://www.expresspcb.com/index.htm

20th July 2009, 12:28 PM	#1
akis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	limits on freeware PCB design software Hello I use Diptrace but have been hitting the limit of 250 holes. Do you have any suggestions for free PCB design that can do slightly more? I would be happy with 400-500. Thanks

20th July 2009, 03:16 PM	#3
Mr Evil diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Behind you	Try Kicad. It's not perfect, but it is completely free. __________________ https://mrevil.asvachin.eu/

30th July 2009, 08:25 PM	#5
mlloyd1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: illinois	could also try FreePCB ... FreePCB pretty good support but no integrated schematic capture. (andyc has a webpage on using ltspice schematics as input) mlloyd1

31st July 2009, 06:04 PM	#6
Fenris diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The last frontier	I like FreePCB as well. I've been using it for almost 4 years now and done dozens of PCBs with it. It's not perfect, but it's easy to throw on a thumb drive and use on any Windows computer. __________________ Listen to the music through the stereo, not the stereo through the music.

20th August 2009, 08:14 PM	#7
rckbrwn diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Junction City, OR	Free Diptrace 500 pin upgrade Diptrace is offering a free upgrade of vers 2 to 500 pins. Email them for an unlock code. Tell them where you saw this. I saw it this thread. http://forums.parallax.com/forums/de...?f=15&m=374963 Rick


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20th July 2009, 12:53 PM	#2
PigletsDad diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South Worcestershire	I use PCB (see http://pcb.gpleda.org/index.html) on Linux - this is truly free (no cost - full rights), and can do projects of any size, only limited by machine memory and CPU. You can use it with the other elements of the gEda suite, so that you can do full netlist verification against a schematic. Supposedly, you can make it work on Windows using cygwin, but I haven't tried that myself.

30th July 2009, 08:06 PM	#4
firechief diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Near Seattle Wa	Been looking for a chance to sing the prases of Kicad, both schematic capture, and Layout. Easy to learn, powerfull enough for DIY or even small comercial. FREE, several projects under my belt with this tool.

21st August 2009, 03:25 PM	#8
Buck_nekid diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WV	I've used this in the past. It is to having them manufacture the boards for you which could be good or bad depending. It did everything I needed it to do but I am just a beginner, not making motherboards. The software is free they make the money by making the boards but whose said they had to?? http://www.expresspcb.com/index.htm

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