Tom Baldwin Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 I don't use it but Eagle is meant to be quite good for a free package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musht Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baldwin Posted July 4, 2007 Author Share Posted July 4, 2007 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinw Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmills Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Jelfs Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roderick Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 A few links to free / cheap software here.Don't know them, haven't tried them, hope it helps :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ike Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 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] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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