PCB creating software

Dr.H · 8th March 2005, 07:24 AM

All,

FWIW, I thought I'd post my experience on the topic here.
I have downloaded a variety of programs for converting schematics to PCB layouts and have found that the very best, ONCE YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH A TUTORIAL (!), is EAGLE 4.13 from www.cadsoft.de.

The program is easy to learn (but don't try to find your way without a tutorial) and produces fabulous results (including single-sided PCB's and ground planes) in seconds from a schematic. Also included is an auto-route function, although the more experienced diy'ers suggest that nothing beats manual routing.

I am still finding my feet on component selection (the library is vast) but this software appears to be the hobbyists answer to creating great pcb's!

My 2c after a long search for good software.
Ryan

Kari · 8th March 2005, 07:32 AM

Hi,
i also ended up with Eagle. I purchased the proffesional version for the PCB module only. I do the schematics in the free version.

If you are going to buy it talk directly to cadsoft in the states and you will save a lot of money. I was able to buy it from them even tho i live in Sweden.

I also canned Bill Gates from my home so eagle really was the only option when running Linux.

my 2 cents

/Kari

Dr.H · 8th March 2005, 06:55 PM

Kari,

Thanks for the suggestions. A quick question:

I have set-up a simlpe circuit in schematic editor, with ground and Vcc both defned as a bus. I then select the "board" option, which takes me to the PCB section. But none of my Vcc connections show. How do I rectify this?

jleaman · 8th March 2005, 08:43 PM

Dr.H

send me your Schematic file and ill have a look at it.

Is it in eagle ?

J'

8th March 2005, 07:24 AM	#1
Dr.H diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002	PCB creating software All, FWIW, I thought I'd post my experience on the topic here. I have downloaded a variety of programs for converting schematics to PCB layouts and have found that the very best, ONCE YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH A TUTORIAL (!), is EAGLE 4.13 from www.cadsoft.de. The program is easy to learn (but don't try to find your way without a tutorial) and produces fabulous results (including single-sided PCB's and ground planes) in seconds from a schematic. Also included is an auto-route function, although the more experienced diy'ers suggest that nothing beats manual routing. I am still finding my feet on component selection (the library is vast) but this software appears to be the hobbyists answer to creating great pcb's! My 2c after a long search for good software. Ryan

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8th March 2005, 07:32 AM	#2
Kari diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockholm	Hi, i also ended up with Eagle. I purchased the proffesional version for the PCB module only. I do the schematics in the free version. If you are going to buy it talk directly to cadsoft in the states and you will save a lot of money. I was able to buy it from them even tho i live in Sweden. I also canned Bill Gates from my home so eagle really was the only option when running Linux. my 2 cents /Kari

8th March 2005, 06:55 PM	#3
Dr.H diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002	Kari, Thanks for the suggestions. A quick question: I have set-up a simlpe circuit in schematic editor, with ground and Vcc both defned as a bus. I then select the "board" option, which takes me to the PCB section. But none of my Vcc connections show. How do I rectify this?

8th March 2005, 08:43 PM	#4
jleaman Banned Join Date: Apr 2002	Dr.H send me your Schematic file and ill have a look at it. Is it in eagle ? J'

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