Pcb Design Software Review
- Earlier, EasyEDA was a Web-based PCB layout tool, which limited its utility. Be it analogue or digital design, this design and simulation software is easy to implement and use. It is by far the smartest PCB design software integrated with a cloud development technology.
- PCB Design, Analysis, Package Integration and PCB Tools offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that improve design, accelerate time to market & increase profit margins.
Comparison of EDA software. Jump to navigation Jump to search. This article needs to be updated. Can also be used for schematic entry and PCB design.
RATING
'Ok but lacking'
by: Dane
PCB Artist Layout Software 1.3
Bakugan battle brawlers pc game free download. Other Thoughts:
I've found designspark's tools (also free) to be easier to use and you do not have to use AC for fab: www.designspark.com/pcb It was recommended to me by the guys at San Francisco Circuits whom I have used as my PCB provider: www.sfcircuits.com
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2009-05-13
Other Thoughts:
Excellent freeware alternative to costly packages.
Was this review helpful? 275 users found this review helpful.
2009-05-12
Other Thoughts:
I had high hopes for PCB Artist. However, after installing it, I received an error message stating that BCGCBPRO710.dll couldn't be found. That prevented PCB Artist from launching. So, I hunted down a copy of BCGCBPRO710.dll and placed it in the PCB Artist program folder and tried to launch the program again. This time I received another BCGCBPRO710.dll-related error message. So, I've given up on PCB Artist -- at least until its authors fix the program's installation problems.
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2009-05-08
Other Thoughts:
Why pay so much for a package when this tool does the job FOR FREE
Was this review helpful? 253 users found this review helpful.
2009-03-09
Other Thoughts:
It seems to be a very nice package. Nice surprize after Mentor, pcad, etc. The gerber generator needs small tweak to enable microstrip and stripline transmission lines traces without the hooks under components. For mixed signal it is fine.
Was this review helpful? 247 users found this review helpful.
2007-08-26
Other Thoughts:
Design Software Pcb Layout
I was rather skeptical with this software being Advanced Circuits software outing. I was expecting something several steps behind current EDA tools. I found this tool to be surprisingly deep. Despite its deceptively simple looking tool bars, very great depth is in the right-click menus. This keeps the new user experience from being overwhelming. This tool is not behind the state of the art, it will hold its own against commercial versions in terms useability. Not only that, Advanced Circuits sent me my Gerber data after my first order. I was not expecting much, and I was pleasantly surprised.
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2007-08-20
Pulsonix Suite
Other Thoughts:
The software is actually quite good, except it does not output gerber files. The pcb file format, in the version that I used, requires you to use advanced circuits for fab. Not the best source on the planet in my experience. If there are other versions that output gerber files I'd be intersted.
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When you finish the design and prototyping of your project and you want to make a PCB, you need to use some kind of PCB layout software. While there are a plethora of commercial products (most of them expensive - very expensive), there are relatively few that are low cost or free for the open source designer. This guide will look at the options and make recommendations based on the author's knowledge and preferences. I also have a more extensive comparison here.
Online PCB Software
Some commercial PCB fabricators offer their own free online software. While some of these products may be quite capable, they suffer from one huge drawback - you are locked into their services. If you want to have your PCB made elsewhere, you are out of luck. For that reason I don't give these programs a second look.
Eagle CAD
Eagle CAD is the favorite PCB layout software among open source hardware designers. For that reason there are a lot of extensive component and footprint libraries available for many of the parts used by hobbyists and the open source community. While it is a commercial program, the company offers a freeware version limited only by the PCB size.
Despite all these advantages, Eagle suffers from some major issues. I my opinion, they are show stopping issues. They are not bugs, nor are they limitations in its capabilities. The problem is its user interface. It seems like it is a relic from the DOS era. The user interface is all backwards from the normal mouse driven interface on all modern operating systems. The worst though is not only that it is different, but it is incredibly inefficient and really difficult to use. The learning curve is steep and once you learn how to use it, it still does not get any better. If you choose this package, be prepared to spend a lot of time using it.
KiCAD
This application is free and open source and has a lot to commend it. It is easy to use and very capable. It also has a smattering of support in the open hardware community. You won't go wrong using it.
However, it is difficult to convert a schematic to a PCB. If that was the only problem, it would be minor. However, I find it is equally difficult to do either forward or back-annotate any changes made to the schematic or the PCB. You have to go through a tedious multi-step process every time. This issue is a real show stopper for me. One can only hope the developers will eventually fix this problem.
DipTrace
While this is a Windows application, it is very well behaved under Wine, and I run it on Linux without any problem. Like KiCAD, it has a lot to commend it. It has a modern interface, short learning curve and is quick and easy to get things done.
While it is commercial software, it comes in a freeware version with generous limitations. Most open hardware projects will never run into them.
Recommendation
DipTrace is the software I recommend first, followed by KiCAD. If it weren't for KiCAD's poor forward/back annotation, it would get my recommendation. You can be designing circuits in DipTrace on day one. There is a decent component library, and it is easy to add your own components & footprints.