Making PCB, best software

[lerameur]

Orcad is good ? is it called PCB editor ? because I could not figure out where to take parts from... maybe an online tutorial would be good
All I have thats looks similar is Orcad PCB editor and Prcad PCB Router.

K

[dhouston]

Sprint Layout is inexpensive ($56) and very intuitive. IMO it's the best available for the price.

• http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/sprint-layout.html

[LinkMTech]

Sprint Layout is inexpensive ($56) and very intuitive. IMO it's the best available for the price.

• http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/sprint-layout.html

Dave, does this program allow you to make a curved PCB? I have one application for a key fob.


I use Express PCB and Pad2Pad free schematic and PCB programs but have to purchase the PCBs from them. The prices and product are good but I would have to pay an additional fee for the Gerber files if I needed them.

[dhouston]

Dave, does this program allow you to make a curved PCB? I have one application for a key fob

You should be able to do that although I've never tried anything like that. Why don't you email them a picture or even d/l the demo software? I have done radii on silkscreens.

• http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/demoversionen.html

You can do an equilateral polygon and then split the track at any of its vertices. that would let you build an arc of short segments.

There's also an Import Bitmap function that would probably fit your needs. Again, I've never had the need so I've not tried it.

[LinkMTech]

Thanks Dave,
I downloaded and tried the demo version. It is possible to create the same PCB using 4 different size circles in their correct positions then moving the segments to intersect with each other.
I'm gonna check out some of these others mentioned too.

[gadelhas]

Orcad is good ? is it called PCB editor ? because I could not figure out where to take parts from... maybe an online tutorial would be good
All I have thats looks similar is Orcad PCB editor and Prcad PCB Router.

K

Orcad it's not Good, it's Very Good!!!! And yes is called Orcad PCB Editor, but like i said, it's not very user friendly!!!
Try Eagle free, and you will not be disapointing!

[mackrackit]

I still like Kicad
http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/Main_Page

[ofuzzy1]

I'll vote for KI-Cad -- no board size limits and FREE decent size library
Took 4 hours to LEARN & make first PCB.
Download the FREE JAVA autorouter, it is really amazing.


Eagle has some really weird key / mouse strokes.
i.e to highlight an area you need click the block highlight button, then highlight the area, then tell what you want to do [normal], then do it, then tell it again that you really wanted to do it.

One thing for sure
They all have quirks :lol:

[lester]

You may want to investigate DesignSpark

http://www.designspark.com/knowledge/pcb

its free, its commercial grade and its fully funded by RS Components.

[tenaja]

Eagle is great for precision, but has a high learning curve.

Ares is considerably easier, with a lower learning curve...but requires purchase.


If you are doing it for hobby stuff, on a hobby price, then find one that has a learning curve proportional to your expected use. If you want to use it once, and that's it, then get the simplest thing you can. Make sure you get DRC, though. (That's Design Rule Checking; it looks for errors in spacing.)

[Charlie]

Over the last few years I've been using WinQcad for both personal and professional projects. I found it easy to learn, and it's free up to quite a large size - I've never had a project too big for the free version. If you get stuck, you do need to buy it in order to get support, but the cost is quite small compared to other professional grade stuff (don't get turned off by the amateurish icons). It does nice schematic capture, comes with a large library of devices and footprints, an amazing auto-router, and it generates the Gerber files most board shops prefer, or acurate PDFs if you want to roll your own.
Details here: http://www.winqcad.com/features.html
Highly recommended by a happy user that has no association with the company.