Best free schematic/pcb software? - Page 2

EverythingPCB · 16th July 2011, 05:10 PM

DGTA,
EverythingPCB is a good starting point to look for software for free schematic/pcb and related software:
http://www.everythingpcb.com/p12171.htm
* PCB Layout / Design / Schematic Capture / Autorouting Software
* Demo, Shareware, Freeware & Trial Offer Software
* Design for Fabrication / PCB Design Validation
* EDA Simulation & Related Software
* Electromagnetic Simulation
* Gerber Editors / Viewers, Data Conversion & Translation Software
* Signal Integrity / EMC, EMI & EM-Modeling Software

marce · 17th July 2011, 08:02 AM

A comprehensive list of EDA software and Tools.
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.p...=3677.msg48998

For libraries read this:
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.p...=3677.msg48998

Basicly IPC-7351, IPC-7352 if you follow these guidlines you wont go wrong.

SATRIOALIT · 11th August 2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CopperTop

Kicad is amazing - I use it all the time. I believe there are many libraries of parts available for it, although designing your own parts is pretty easy. Fully standard Gerbers etc. for output. Totally open source and free.

Kicad

There appears to be a large valves (tube) library available on this site:

KICAD Libraries

kicad for windows7

nigelwright7557 · 11th August 2011, 02:31 PM

Using free pcb software can be a false economy.

You cant beat pcbcad with good comprehensive error checking.
Nothing worse than getting pcbs made and there are mistakes on them.

scafas · 22nd September 2011, 03:36 PM

I think the eagle pcb is better because it is' simple and intuitive.
you can draw directly to the board and use a large library of electronic components, without converting the electrical design.
if you use a CNC prototype, and eagles' much better.
greetings.

index

pindrop · 4th October 2011, 10:15 PM

+1 for DesignSpark that was briefly mentioned earlier. I was a bit hesitant at first but having just completed a 1500+ part mixer I can honestly say that its got 100% of what you need and 99% of what you'd like. As for libraries, I always create my own 'cause third party ones although generally accurate don't share a common style and can look scruffy when mixed.
Also check out 'Free LP Viewer' from Mentor, and 'PCB Design Tutorial' http://www.alternatezone.com/electro...al</b>RevA.pdf

Rob

jonstanza · 11:05 PM

hello dgta

I use Altium Designer. simply the best we had today. All my prototypes are made by this software.

link:
Altium | AD10

My latest prototype (pre amplifier using a personal topology ) was this pre amp that I attach a photo

Pano · 4th October 2011, 11:01 PM

Altium is great - I love it. But it is not free. Far from it.
Nice work, BTW. Looks great.

jonstanza · 4th October 2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pano

Nice work, BTW. Looks great.

thanks
jon

marce · 5th October 2011, 11:59 AM

All of the proffesional packages will do the job, I use Cadstar #1, then Allegro when I have to, but are a expensive option for hobby use (We pay nearly £8K maintenance just on EDA software).
The problem is to find a free or reasonably priced package that will cater for DIYers going into digital designs, as with the decent free packages you have limited pins and layers, which can be a big limitation in digital design. I have had a play with a couple of the free packages (Eagle and the RS offering and found them OK).

11th August 2011, 02:31 PM	#14
nigelwright7557 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Carlisle, England	Using free pcb software can be a false economy. You cant beat pcbcad with good comprehensive error checking. Nothing worse than getting pcbs made and there are mistakes on them. __________________ http://www.murtonpikesystems.co.uk PCBCAD50 pcb design software.

22nd September 2011, 03:36 PM	#15
scafas diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007	pcb I think the eagle pcb is better because it is' simple and intuitive. you can draw directly to the board and use a large library of electronic components, without converting the electrical design. if you use a CNC prototype, and eagles' much better. greetings. index

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16th July 2011, 05:10 PM	#11
EverythingPCB diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2009	DGTA, EverythingPCB is a good starting point to look for software for free schematic/pcb and related software: http://www.everythingpcb.com/p12171.htm * PCB Layout / Design / Schematic Capture / Autorouting Software * Demo, Shareware, Freeware & Trial Offer Software * Design for Fabrication / PCB Design Validation * EDA Simulation & Related Software * Electromagnetic Simulation * Gerber Editors / Viewers, Data Conversion & Translation Software * Signal Integrity / EMC, EMI & EM-Modeling Software

17th July 2011, 08:02 AM	#12
marce diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancs	A comprehensive list of EDA software and Tools. http://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.p...=3677.msg48998 For libraries read this: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.p...=3677.msg48998 Basicly IPC-7351, IPC-7352 if you follow these guidlines you wont go wrong.

4th October 2011, 10:15 PM	#16
pindrop diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2011	+1 for DesignSpark that was briefly mentioned earlier. I was a bit hesitant at first but having just completed a 1500+ part mixer I can honestly say that its got 100% of what you need and 99% of what you'd like. As for libraries, I always create my own 'cause third party ones although generally accurate don't share a common style and can look scruffy when mixed. Also check out 'Free LP Viewer' from Mentor, and 'PCB Design Tutorial' http://www.alternatezone.com/electro...al</b>RevA.pdf Rob

4th October 2011, 11:01 PM	#18
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Altium is great - I love it. But it is not free. Far from it. Nice work, BTW. Looks great.

5th October 2011, 11:59 AM	#20
marce diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancs	All of the proffesional packages will do the job, I use Cadstar #1, then Allegro when I have to, but are a expensive option for hobby use (We pay nearly £8K maintenance just on EDA software). The problem is to find a free or reasonably priced package that will cater for DIYers going into digital designs, as with the decent free packages you have limited pins and layers, which can be a big limitation in digital design. I have had a play with a couple of the free packages (Eagle and the RS offering and found them OK).