PCB Design Software

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#64
It's stable on my twin 1G Powermac G4 in W2K/VPC7. Although the graphics refresh is slow- 2 secs, it's actually a bit faster than my present CAD and perfectly useable.

When I first started designing PCB's, my work 286 was so slow at rendering that I'd wait till lunchtime to push the button....:cannotbe:
 
#65
new relase ExpressPCB V5.4.0 from 11/27.2005

Hello,

there is a new version ExpressPCB on the server of www.expresspcb.com.
The new version can now print without the 'grid' an the page faces !
So update your ExpressPCB software.

I use the PDF Printer Driver PDFCreator v0.8 p2, very nice tool !
The Postscript engine in the background is Ghostscript.

Version: 5.4.0
Date: November 27, 2005
Size: 8.95 Meg

Download ExpressPCB
 
#69
#70
nice work dx,

are old version files compatible with the new version?

how to make 1:1 pdfs of the pcb?


hi ashok

i spent three days making circuit on this ****** program and when i took out prints,what i got was dotted pcb,all traces shorted in printout.i had to reinvent the wheel later on on eagle.
Click to expand...

i posted it earlier.i dont think what i posted recently can be called derogatory.i call an apple ,an apple ,an apple.not orange

i read its help file on prints b4 hand,nowhere was it mentioned bout grid prints.now b honest what will u call this?
 
#71
sagarverma said:
nice work dx,
are old version files compatible with the new version?
how to make 1:1 pdfs of the pcb?
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Yes my old files, one Release before, work with no problem !

I describe in Post #65 how i produce PDF's on my pc.

I create a image from the printscreen:
 

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#75
Hi Andrew,

I didnt the PCB with the default ExpressPCB setting, the width is i think .010" i will redo with thicker traces. I added the groud plane so that the etching would be much faster :devilr: and the noise (if any) should reduce. I was trying the Express PCB for the first time so tried out how to avoid some parts of the board for being ground planed that is why some unplated cells😀 .
Till yesterday i thought expressPCB was hard to learn (did all my designing with eagle) and design, but yesterday i thought of trying it out after seeing these post's.

About turning ON/OFF of ground plane you need to use the option "Place a filled plane" in EP to add ground plane. You can avoid certain parts of the board from getting plated by using the same option with the second selection (Draw "keep Out" area in filled plane).

Hope i answered all your question...

PS: I am not a pro PCB designer. I just translate the Schema to board keeping in mind just one thing minimize the number of jumpers:angel:

Venki.😀
 
#76
pinkmouse said:
Anyone tried KiCAD? Looks like it might be interesting.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Have tried this out. It is really a good package. But there is something to be improved. Found the way it handles component lists and net lists unnecessary clumsy. It works with their own schematic editor but I want to stick with my DesignWorks editor, still one of the best and easy to use I’ve ever seen. Also the copper plane handling of Kicad can be improved.

For the profs:
Have worked with older versions of Protel, It was great but the newer integrated 2004 version is over the top IMHO. It freezes almost my PC. Have worked recently a few weeks with the Pulsonix package. IMO it is one of the best at this moment with a good intuitive user interface but requires deep pockets 🙁 and is a bit overdone for hobbywork.

Cheers
 
#77
Hi Pjotr,

Have downloaded and installed KIRCAD sometime back. But was not able to use it since its is very hare to use (atleast for me😕 ). But the author has done an excellent job (browsing thru the software makes me feel like going thru orcad😉 ). Any tutorials for easy learning Pjotr?

Thanx,
Venki.😀
 
#78
Hi Venki,

Any substantial PCB design package that is more than a sketchpad has it’s learning time. For Kicad you have to stumble and fall through it, the documentation is rather limited. For the documentation it is best to unpack the .zip files and edit the HTML file so it points directly to the unzipped doc files. That zipped construction did not work for me. But it appears to me a good package and at least it is free!

For my own work I still use UltiBoard V5.71. driven by the DesignWorks schematic editor. UB is really one of the worst concerning user interface, but it produces good quality boards. I send de UB files straight to my board maker (who is around the corner for me) and leave the hassle of Gerber and drill files to him.

Cheers 😉
 
#80
dx.master said:
Yes my old files, one Release before, work with no problem !
Click to expand...

Yes, I've just tested, it works fine and prints with no grid.

dx.master said:
I create a image from the printscreen:
Click to expand...

I have made some PCBs with Express PCB, for my own designs, to etch at home.
This is the method I used to print with no grid.
Not very convenient, but it worked.

1) Draw the pcb layout on the top layer, or select all the bottom layer and send it to top.
2) Goto view and click on options.
3) Goto colors and change the bottom layer to white, top layer to black then click ok.
4) To print with no dots click on the red & green boxes
( 'place a rectangle' button) that are on the left.
5) Then click on the tab that says botom layer which should be on the top of the screen in green and gray.
6) Now take the mouse to the top corner of the yellow border and left click and hold it. Now pull down & to the right to high light. Now you can see a white rectangle.
Release the mouse buton, which your pattern will stick out in black.
7) Now to start printing goto file & click on print next, click on (top copper layer), (botom copper layer) & make sure you click on (print in color) then hit ok.

.............................

Now folks, with the new version this method is obsolete, it prints without grid, no tricks. 😎
Btw I use CutePDF Writer to create PDFs. It works like a printer driver (like many others), you just print to this driver.
And it's free.
 
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