PCB Layout & Gerber Generation for Mac OSX

[electronaut]

Hey Folks,

So far I have been drawing all my PCB layouts in a regular illustration program, generating film negatives, exposing, etching, drilling, etc... Now I want to make multiples of a board design, and I'm realizing that the board houses don't particularly agree with my approach. So, I'm looking into redrawing these circuits in a proper PCB layout program, generating gerber files, etc.

The boards are pretty simple -- mostly used for switching low-level signals, and for my Lundahls. I would like plate-through holes, silk-screening and a solder mask, and even one-sided would suffice. I'm looking for the simplest approach. Also, I'm running Mac OSX, and although I can get Virtual PC, I would prefer a native Mac app.

Can anyone make any suggestions? (I realize this topic has beeen covered briefly about two years ago, but both threads got a bit off topic and... well, 2 years is a long time in the computer world!)

Thanks in advance.

-RobRoy

Any comments on the following would be greaty appreciated:

McCad - http://www.mccad.com/

Osmond - http://www.swcp.com/~jchavez/osmond.html

PCB Warrior - http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/2231

[peranders]

Unfortunately all programs are more or less "rubbish" and the only program which works is RUN Electronic Design System which is now All my pcb's are made with RUN. I'm sorry to say that there are no good pcb cad programs for mac .

[dhaen]

Hmm, I've been trying to get Vectoworks 10 to work as a schematic capture tool for Osmond, but so far, no dice. The howto is described on the Osmond site, but it says it has only been tested up to VW9, and should work with later versions...

Looks like I'll have to stick with Virtual PC for the time being. Which when maximised, is actually quite fast and useable, but my app freezes and crashes just tha same as on a PC.

One thing that has crossed my mind is trying to run the Linux version of Eagle under an X-windows session on Darwin (OS-X's "chassis"). There are tools to run X sessions that look like Aqua.
Of course there's a possibility someone (clever) could port Eagle.

I'm looking for Schematic capture to netlist, PCB layout, and output to Gerber and Printer.

I don't need Simulation, Stock lists, or Auto routing.

Glad the debate is open again...

[peranders]

Let me correct myself: The Osmond and PCB warrior guys have done an excellent job but they have a very long way left to go until their software get very useful. I wish them very best luck in their efforts.

[dhaen]

Well I've just noticed the title of this post, and it doesn't mention "Schematic". Since many of the complexities of these app's are caused by the schematic section and it's interaction with the layout section, maybe one of those simpler programs will do.

The thing that irritates me most abour these programs is the amount of time that is needed in drawing your own components. None is well equipped for audio (or video) electronic. On a new project, I often spend more time drawing and checking components than doing the PCB.
This is the biggest problem (bigger than learning), about switching apps.

[Pjotr]

Hi Folks,

Funny enough, concerning user interface and ease of use, the best schematic drawing programs were written for the Mac!

I’ve seen lots and lots of programs for the Mac and PC as well as for Unix. For schematic entry the program that stands outs the rest is DesignWorks Professional from Capilano Computing. It has very powerful scripting capabilities and a logical and intuitive user interface. I am using it on a 68K Mac emulator on the PC as a front end for Ultiboard at the moment. (I wouldn’t recommend Ultiboard but I have to live with it at the moment)

Indeed the best program for schematic+PCB for the Mac was undoubtedly RUN. It’s a pity it didn’t survive. A good PCB program for the Mac is still Douglas CADCAM but it is not as good as RUN.

Some 10 years ago I bought McCad from Vamp. Although I paid $15K those days for it (actually my boss paid ) I got no support at all. It was buggy with loads of bombs and very difficult to learn. Really rubbish! Do yourself a favour and skip it please. It is somewhat strange McCad still exist and RUN is no more

RobRoy,

If you can manage to convert your current design to a gif or bmp bitmap image then I think this (PC) program will be of help to you, provided you have access to a PC or have a PC emulator for your Mac:

http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/sprint-layout.html

It is a simple plain 2 layer PCB drawing program. Very easy to use and quick to learn and it outputs Gerber and Excellon files for around EU 40,- You can use a .gif or .bmp image in the background as a template and draw your actual design on top of it. This is also a good and affordable PCB program for those looking for a simple PCB program that produces neat PCB boards. For DIY you hardly need more.

Cheers

[peranders]

Originally posted by Pjotr
Indeed the best program for schematic+PCB for the Mac was undoubtedly RUN. It’s a pity it didn’t survive. A good PCB program for the Mac is still Douglas CADCAM but it is not as good as RUN.

Not even the Windows version of RUN did survive.

[dhaen]

So who owns "RUN" now. Are they defunked?
What I meant is: who has any title to the IP apart from the owners?

[Pjotr]

Hmm,

Just looked a bit into Osmond - http://www.swcp.com/~jchavez/osmond.html

Looks very interesting. Thanks for that link RobRoy. Unfortunately it runs on mininmal System 8.6 for a 68K Mac. Unfortunately the highest OS that runs stable on the Basilisk Mac emulator is System 7.5. Any suggestions? And uhm no, I have no real Mac at work at the moment

John, if you are looking for a schematic front end, look at the Capilano stuff. Although a bit expensive for DIY, it is really worth the money IMHO. You can make any component/netlist file for almost any PCB program with it. It took me a few hours to write a script for the somewhat archaic Ultiboard format.

Cheers

[peranders]

Originally posted by dhaen
So who owns "RUN" now. Are they defunked?
What I meant is: who has any title to the IP apart from the owners?

I'll guess it's Mr. Tom Spivey and his pals.

Wouldn't it be great if they removed the dongle and made this program to freeware! It's a 15 KUSD program!