| sunrise |
Hi,
a question: is there on the market any software for pcb design that is similar to Tango software?
I am using Tango for years and it is good for me- easy with no parts by name but byhousing (TO3, TO220 and so on). The problem is that it doesn't work with XinXP so I must have another computer running on win98 and this is not very nice for me.
I would like to find simple, nice software for one or two layouts that use TO220, TO3 (housing) to put components and not names like 2n3055 if You know what I mean. |
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| peranders |
| Have you tested to run the program in "compatible mode"? |
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| sunrise |
Dear P-A
I didn't - I think (it has been a year or two since I have tried to run Tango on XP). Please explain how can I do that if it is not to much to ask?!
Best regards
sunny |
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| peranders |
Locate the program, the XXX.exe file
Mark it and right-click, choose properties (may it be called, at the bottom of the menu)
Choose the tag "Compability"
Check "compability mode"
The choose from pop-up menu appropiate mode.
Note that I'm using swedish XP so I'm only guessing what it can be called in english. |
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| sunrise |
thnx- never mind about that - i will try every mode if i have to .... also i will let You know if that worked.... i like the program and it would be the shame if I loose it.... i don't like working on two computers in paralel :) this will save me room and make my hobby easier :::::> thnx
sunny |
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| sunrise |
| it didn't work that way..... back to the old drawing board and my first question in the first post of this thread |
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| paologatto |
Go Eagle
PRO:
- Very powerful and its files are accepted by most of PCB manufacturers
- There is a free version, although with some size limitations
CONS:
- GUI is user-unfriendly and not intuitive at all :whazzat: |
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| wkopacz |
Hi !
if your Tango works in dos mode you can use DosBox
its a great soft...
easy/autotrax works just fine on XP.
regards, wk. |
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| wintermute |
I tried Eagle (found it extremely frustrating) and went back to Express PCB. Note that I don't actually use it for doing pcb artwork but for working out layouts on verro board. I love that I can use express SCH to do the schematic and link it to express pcb and see what should connect to what, simplifies designing with vero board considerably!
The problem that I see with Express PCB is that if you are planning on making your own PCB's you can't export the actual copper layer to a bmp as far as I can tell you can only do a screen dump. I think this could be a pain when trying to print it at the actual size required for the final pcb.... am I missing something here??
Seems like they have made the program so you have to use their PCB making service, which is a perfectly reasonable business decision by them :)
Tony. |
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| sunrise |
Thnx - i will see if this suits me.....
| quote: | Originally posted by paologatto
Go Eagle
PRO:
- Very powerful and its files are accepted by most of PCB manufacturers
- There is a free version, although with some size limitations
CONS:
- GUI is user-unfriendly and not intuitive at all :whazzat: |
I have found 4.09pro version to try.... very unfriendly but o.k. - powerful machine.... puts many questions like how to change the values for the pads of the resistors from library (they are to small - if I use one resistor the holes are to small - the copper around the hole is not enough for me - i would like to have it bigger and can't find where to determine the size... probably nowhere); also I don't see where to print only layout without the parts (copper side without parts on it)
| quote: | Originally posted by wkopacz
Hi !
if your Tango works in dos mode you can use DosBox
its a great soft...
easy/autotrax works just fine on XP.
regards, wk. |
my Tango is working only on win98 and i have winXP on my current machine - so I said that I will have two machines and one monitor - it is a problem when You need to look at the datasheets and draw the layout on another machine :(
| quote: | Originally posted by wintermute
The problem that I see with Express PCB is that if you are planning on making your own PCB's you can't export the actual copper layer to a bmp as far as I can tell you can only do a screen dump. I think this could be a pain when trying to print it at the actual size required for the final pcb.... am I missing something here??
Tony. |
I am making my own boards with acid and with photo-sensitive boards (I don't know how to call this stuff). So I don't need router since I want to make my boards alone and how I like them... also I need to change the size of the pads of the components.... I don't need complex lybraries since I would like to find software that puts its parts on the board like TO3 and not 2n3055 (not by name but rather by footprint - I haven't found the software that is doing this except Tango and that is why I like it so much..... easy, has everything I need.....but...... i hate to work on two machines)
:bawling: |
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| sunrise |
Express pcb - can it work without that "Order pcb boards from us"...... can it print what You have designed..... i am not at home and can't download it now to try it.......
regards
sunny
edit: oups:D wintermute answer that one - it can't print but it can help to design.... so, can anyone answer my questions about eagle..... maybe i am also missing something (well a lot actually :) ) |
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| kambule |
quote "Tango works in dos mode you can use DosBox "
wkopacz,
the download page contains several programs.
Which should I use for XP :
debian woody ?? i386.deb
and/or
window ?? win32 installer
and any programs listed on : http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/download.php?main=1
thanks
kb |
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| wkopacz |
Hi,
just try it! (DosBox)....
this soft was specialy designed to play old dos games... which were designed before XP era.
so,
just try & let us know...
regards,wk. |
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| wintermute |
Hi Sunrise,
I'm not home either at the moment, so can't check.... I just realised I didn't ever try printing direct from expressPCB just tried exporting as bmp (which only will do the silkscreen layer). You may be able to print the copper layer, might be worth a look :)
Now that you mentioned resistors in Eagle I think looking back that it was resistors that made me give up in disgust :)
Tony. |
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| wkopacz |
kambule,
XP is windows (TM), so..... ;)
regards,wk. |
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| wkopacz |
Hi,
here is a graphical front-end for DosBox: DOSBOXer
quote:
"DOSBOXer allows you to easily configure DOSBox to run multiple programs, each with their own set- tings, quickly and easily from a convenient and simple to use interface."
regards,wk |
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| sunrise |
Wintermute - o.k. - will try express pcb to se how it works.. :)
also that pads in eagle get me crazy.... i would have to make my own resistors and that is not what i would like :(
wkopacz - o.k. - i will also download dosbox and try with it to run my Tango
thnx for help and i will let You know my progress
sunny |
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| sunrise |
Didn't try express pcb yet..... with Tango I've had no luck.... it would not work so far.... also not with dosbox... but i've magaed to make him run in strange video mode... it is running but i can't see the clear image .... will try further... and also some other pcb programs...... (also express)....keep You all posted
sunny |
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| Dominique |
Hey sunrise,
it's no problem to run both, XP and 98 on the same computer and select the system when booting (you can have one OS booting per default if you don't select anything for some seconds).
An additional Win98 doesn't take much space!
It's easy if Win98 is installed first on the harddisk and XP afterwards. If XP is already installed and you want to add Win98, this is more complicated if I remember well.
So now you've got another option :)
Good luck,
Dominique |
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| sunrise |
Yes, i have tried that and it is working that way..... but i didn't like it - so i buyed antoher computer without monitor - it is a small Pentium 2 and instaled Win98 there....i don't know... now i don't have Win98 only WinXP on my better computer and (like You said) it would be complicated to run them now..... I would have to start my system all over again - to much to do......
well, no problem guys..... i have seen that there is probably no answer that will do but to use another (modern) program - maybe it would be the best thing..... or to stick with what I have right now the way I have it right now......i know that eagle software would not do => problems with resistors and other parts - i can't edit the size of the pads from the parts that i select from the library.... would have to find soft that would do that (also have to try express pcb - like some of You have suggested).......
best regards
sunny |
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| sagarverma |
go for eagle cad professional version
very powerul.great features.somewhat good autorouter.
if u have hard disk space and deep pockets,go for protel from altium.i used there 30day evaluation and i must admit that its very very powerful.its autorouter is very intelligent and can route your pcb tracks with great ease.its library has every component that u can imagine.
for diy apps. eagle will suffice |
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| sunrise |
| quote: | Originally posted by sagarverma
go for eagle cad professional version
very powerul.great features.somewhat good autorouter.
if u have hard disk space and deep pockets,go for protel from altium.i used there 30day evaluation and i must admit that its very very powerful.its autorouter is very intelligent and can route your pcb tracks with great ease.its library has every component that u can imagine.
for diy apps. eagle will suffice |
question: could You edit the pads on the components that You use from libraries when using Eagle? I tried and couldn't find the feature and that is the main and almost the only reason I don't like Eagle........regards
sunny
p.s. i have 200Gb of disk space :) but.... the money could be the problem (like allways :) ) |
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| wintermute |
hi Sunny,
I just fired up express_pcb and chose the export option, it DOES let you print the copper layers!! it just doesn't let you export them to a bmp or other graphic format..... Not sure if it does it to the correct scale, but I would assume it does :)
sorry if I misled you before!
have a look at it, it allows you to edit the components, change pins etc.
Tony. |
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| Nordic |
I started using PCB express last night, to put together a LM1036 Volume/tone control as my first PCB project...
Quite intuitive, took about 10 minutes to "get it"
However I still don't know how to place holes for TO220 11 pin chips... I see they have the IC in the Circuit part of the program..
Been drawing holes manualy for those.... |
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| sklimek |
| quote: | Originally posted by sunrise
question: could You edit the pads on the components that You use from libraries when using Eagle? I tried and couldn't find the feature and that is the main and almost the only reason I don't like Eagle........regards
sunny
p.s. i have 200Gb of disk space :) but.... the money could be the problem (like allways :) ) |
Hi, here is a pretty good link for making custom parts from your existing library.
http://www.interq.or.jp/japan/se-inoue/e_eagle20.htm
There are some pretty good reasons to go w/ Eagle, there is a lot of Eagle file sharing going on as well as members sharing their custom libraries. Many of the projects that are being developed here are in Eagle which gives you the ability to print out your mirrored image in Eagle instead of a .pdf file which sometimes is more exact in small componet placement. I'm still pretty new at it but I have found a large support group for it just use Google. Also, the Eagle forum has many useful library download files.
http://www.cadsoft.de/forum.htm
Stan |
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| Christer |
| quote: | Originally posted by wintermute
I just fired up express_pcb and chose the export option, it DOES let you print the copper layers!! it just doesn't let you export them to a bmp or other graphic format..... Not sure if it does it to the correct scale, but I would assume it does :)
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Don't you have print to file in the printing options? Then you should be able to export as bmp, provided the program sends a bmp to the printer. |
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| sunrise |
| quote: | Originally posted by wintermute
hi Sunny,
I just fired up express_pcb and chose the export option, it DOES let you print the copper layers!! it just doesn't let you export them to a bmp or other graphic format..... Not sure if it does it to the correct scale, but I would assume it does :)
sorry if I misled you before!
have a look at it, it allows you to edit the components, change pins etc.
Tony. |
Don't be sorry and thanks.... very nice :) i will download it from the net tonight and try it :)
| quote: | Originally posted by Christer
Don't you have print to file in the printing options? Then you should be able to export as bmp, provided the program sends a bmp to the printer. |
We can use print 2 pdf also :)
Thanks guys
p.s. Eagle is still interesting - maybe I would make my own library and use it..... it is a good soft afterall....... |
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| sagarverma |
hi sunrise
i havent felt the need to change pad dimensions as u intend to do.so i cant help u here.;)
i like eagle very much.had protel been cheap,i would have been using it even now. |
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| wintermute |
| quote: | Originally posted by Christer
Don't you have print to file in the printing options? Then you should be able to export as bmp, provided the program sends a bmp to the printer. |
yeah but usually it prints in the printers native format.... at least that has been my experience with HP printers... I have used that with the generic text only print driver when I have wanted to get something in text format that I couldn't get any other way though :)
Tony. |
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| sunrise |
I have tried Express PCB - am I crazy or what.... it seems that I can't edit the size of the pads of the components from the library also (like I can't do it in Eagle)....:bawling:
Can You edit the size of the pads of components that You put from the library of the Express PCB?:confused: |
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| wintermute |
I've only tried editing the components, haven't been concerned about pads, because I was using only as a layout tool for veroboard.
But one thing I didn't notice for quite a while is that when you are laying down tracks there is an option on the tool bar for changing the track width, is there a similar thing on the toolbar when you are placing pads??? or does it just automatically place a pad when you put in the componnent.... Not home at the moment so don't have access to express pcb.
Tony. |
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| pinkmouse |
Eagle is a very strange program, especially for a Mac user like me, but is worthwhile getting to know. I just wish I had the money to go pro...
Before I try and help, just a quick question. Will you ever be producing gerbers from these or only printing out for your own use? |
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| sagarverma |
hi sunrise.
an idea if u please.......>>> place pads manually of desired size at the pins.y worry so much if u doin only diy.it can be prob only when u take out gerbers
;)
download protel,use it.it might fullfill your need bec they claim its industry standard |
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| sunrise |
Hi,
:D
Wintermute - probably it does have this feature.... eagle have it when You place and edit just pads - if You want to edit pads of the components one must edit them in libraries...
Pinkmouse - no, i will not produce gerbers if I don't need to. I print what I draw and them make my own pcb's. That is why i need the pads bigger - so when I drill the holes that i have some copper still left... :) when You do Your pcb's with eagle components i think that no copper will stay and i like my pcb's perfect :):clown:
Sagarverma - with eagle You can't place pads on pads of the components. eagle doesn't allow it - i have tried that.... with express pcb i am not sure--- will try :)
thanks guys - You were all very helpfull to me and i must thank You all once again.....
regards
sunny
edit: i tried what sagarverma suggested in express pcb - didn't work - only when You place it near the existing pad of the component.... |
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| wintermute |
how about placing the pad before placing the component??? might be a little tricky at first but using the grid snap should make it possible :)
Tony. |
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| tla-Audio |
Hi Sunrise
Like you, I have been using Tango for years.
Hope this screen shots can help you to configure Xp.
This is my configuration, and is working very well.
First you have to create a direct access to the PCB.EXE file of your Tango directory.
Next you have to edit properties of the access
Pay special attention to the "Memory" and "Compatibility" windows. (I use spanish version, so may be I´m wrong with the translation). |
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| tla-Audio |
| This post completes the screen shots |
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| pinkmouse |
| quote: | Originally posted by sunrise
...when You do Your pcb's with eagle components i think that no copper will stay and i like my pcb's perfect ... |
I have made several pcbs this way at home for the Krell clone and others, with the toner transfer method, and the existing pads sizes, though they are a little small, work fine.
| quote: | | ...with eagle You can't place pads on pads of the components. eagle doesn't allow it ... |
That's what I was going to suggest- just make your own pad on the copper layer with the wire tools, then copy and place it where required. If you use a ground/power plane it gets a little more complex, but is still do-able. |
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| sagarverma |
express pcb is redundant,useless.
i spent 3days perfecting layout for lr xover with it n when came the crucial time for prints,it gave small dots in the base and ruined my transparency as well(i use photgraphic process).i hate it like anything.
eagle has vast library,cheap and great for diy apps.protel is best but costly.another one is diptrace,a good one and very cheap.used it for few days and its vfm too(value for money). |
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