PCB Design S/W

[Tom Baldwin]

Hope this isn't too OT.

I want to build my own demux - as much for the fun of it as anything - and would like to use one of the PCB pooling services like PCB Train to create boards so it's neat.

I wondered if any other BR'ers knew of software to create the board layouts in appropriate (i.e. standard) formats.

 

Since this is for fun, I can't justify spending much money on software; on the flip side I don't need much in the way of features:

- pin/pad count of less than 500, I guess

- max double sided

- no autorouter required

- schematic capture not essential

- max board size probably less than 6" in any dimension

 

I just want something that's fairly easy to drop pad layouts onto!

 

Can anybody recommend something from personal experience?

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

[dbuckley]

The low cost thing means that many popular and good packages are unavailable to you.

 

PCBPool has their own layout software, which I have tried (though not in real anger, not having got as far as burning a board from it) and it seemed OK, especially given its was free.

 

Dont underestimate the value of schematic capture.

 

I use the LabCenter products, but they are distinctly not free.

[Brian]

I don't use it but Eagle is meant to be quite good for a free package.

[musht]

Another vote for Eagle, www.cadsoft.de , lot of board houses will accept .brd files directly. Free version is a 2 side size llimited version of full thing, which is pretty powerful,means can be bit of learning curve,really have to follow workflow, schematic capture generates ratsnest for layout, it will autoroute :-)

Cadsoft run their own support newsgroups and support ,even for free users, is outstanding.

http://www.olimex.com have an OK reputation for proto boards.

[Tom Baldwin]

Thank you all - great answers from the heavy hitters in the BR again (i.e. information I can really trust).

 

Will have a play with Eagle tonight.

 

Cheers!

[martinw]

Zuken have a free version of Cadstar which is limited to 300 pins and 50 components. This does schematic and PCB and is a very powerful system.

 

Martin

[Dmills]

You don't say what platform you are using, but if by any chance it is vaugely unix like then GEDA may be a choice.

 

It's free, and the pcb package is not totally horrid, Schematic capture lacks a few too many common parts for my

taste, but is ok for simple stuff. It has an autorouter and DRC capability but I have never used either in anger.

 

Failing that, +1 for Eagle.

 

Regards, Dan.

[Tomo]

I tend to use Eagle for my little thingies - but it's rather fiddly to make the Gerber files from.

(And I fluffed my first lot and forgot the underside silkscreen)

[Sam Jelfs]

Have a look over on www.electro-tech-online.com there is a fair amount of discussion and tutorials for differing pieces of software IIRC

[Roderick]

A few links to free / cheap software here.

Don't know them, haven't tried them, hope it helps :)

[dbuckley]

Proteus Lite at the top is labcenter, and is what I use, and so if you can get your design in 100 pins, at $38 its the one to go for. Its an excellent tool with many years history, and it does the full monty from schematic capture.

 

(To be honest, although I've got Proteus, I still use a much earlier DOS version using an emulator!)

 

And [standby for plug.... plug GO] I used to FTP my gerbers to RAK PCBs who always did a great job for me.

[Ike]

As for the actual manufacture I've started using PCB Cart. Decent prices, hundreds of options and everything I've got off them has always been perfect. [/sales pitch]