Making PCB, best software

[Demon]

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. ...
Details here: http://www.winqcad.com/features.html
Highly recommended by a happy user that has no association with the company.

I've been using an old version for quite some time; Qcad v28.3. I found it very easy to learn and it was my introduction into electronics. Now I make double-sided PCBs with it.

The free version works up to 500 pins, no other limitation, autorouter included.

The new payware version is expensive though; $400 for 1000 pins, $800 for unlimitted pins. A little too rich for my blood.

[Heckler]

I took Mackrackit's suggestiona and went with KiCAD... I tried eagle and diptrace without much success.

There is a pretty active discussion group on ... http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users

It really boils down to which ever program you choose, you are going to have to invest a few hours working through several tutorials and learn the software.

KiCAD seems to be quite capable. It has a link to an external router that is amazing (and fun to watch). The built in router required several vias on a double sided board. But the external router got rid of them all. KiCAD maintains separate schematic and PCB Pad libraries. So, for example, you can just choose a SPDT switch for your schematic. Then when you layout the board you choose (or build your own) the correct PCB pad layout for your specific physical switch dimentions. I myself like that. Which ever one you choose, you should google "KiCAD Tutorial" or "Dip Trace Tutorial", etc. etc. They all have tutorials available. Also check YouTube for video tutorials.

Good Luck

[Charlie]

I've been using an old version for quite some time; Qcad v28.3. I found it very easy to learn and it was my introduction into electronics. Now I make double-sided PCBs with it.

The free version works up to 500 pins, no other limitation, autorouter included.

The new payware version is expensive though; $400 for 1000 pins, $800 for unlimitted pins. A little too rich for my blood.

WOW, you're right! The last time I bought the pay version (I had a technical question) it was $25. I guess he decided to make a business out of it. At any rate, 500 pins still covers all my needs, so the free version would be fine, or my paid version which I think is 51.7.

[rsocor01]

I use the software from pad2pad. It is very easy to use. The downside is that you have to make your PCBs with them. I tried Eagle once but it was too complicated so I decided not to put too much effort into it since I had a lot of other stuff that I needed to learn.

[Dave]

rsocor01 , If you ask them when ordering they can supply you with the gerbers for a one time charge of $25.

Dave Purola,
N8NTA

[Acetronics2]

Hi,

Multisim/Ultiboard 11 ...

somewhat complicated for a newbie ( I've used Ultimate suite 5.7x for 10 years before , but new motherboards lost their // port ( for the Dongle ...) and serial port ( for the Picstart + ) ), but VERY VERY VERY nice result ...

and Overall the 3D view !!!

here is a small example ...

Alain

[dhouston]

Multisim/Ultiboard 11 ...

For the price ($3600+ Utiboard) it should do 3D manufacturing - not just simulation.

• http://www.3dsystems.com/

[dhouston]

I was wrong - you could do 3-D manufacturing and have money left over.

• http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/ar...ref=technology
• http://www.makerbot.com/