Recommendations on pcb schematic/layout package

I have used several PCB layout systems, and I have yet to use one whose libraries are not effectively buggy and unsupported. If you are serious about your boards, plan on making your own libraries. (Life is best if you work for a company that has a dedicated component librarian -- you send a data sheet, the component appears in the library, you say "gee, I think that op-amp needs a smiley face" and the library is updated...).

Eagle (search for it) is pretty good and has a staged pricing/capability structure that starts at $0 for a version that'll do a small two-layer board. Most of the components in the libraries are usable as-is, although if you use more than one library things can get klunky (the reference designators are a bit odd, and there are stylistic differences between libraries that can get confusing).

I have found that if I suppress my gag reflex for most things and am ready to build parts for the rest I can get prototype quality boards built with a minimum of work. Were I going to do a 'professional' quality board instead of the usual 'proof of concept' boards that I do I'd have to do a bunch of work on the libraries, or have it done, but that's par for the course.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Well, here's a topic that hasn't been beaten to death.

*-you+PLASTICS "Open source".

There are a few places that still have Circuitmaker 2000 and the companion Traxmaker for download. I've got both of these owner's manuals in pdf I'd be willing to share if you can come up with the software. Don't bother trying to get the old CIrcuitmaker 6 and Traxmaker 3 working; they were fairly buggy.

For my money, this was the sweet spot between low end junk and high end professional before Protel bought them out and then dumped them.

Jim

-- "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right." --Henry Ford

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If you can live with Linux, check out the gEDA package, which includes PCB

-- Bill Sloman, Nijmegen

I've used ExpressPCB many times. No "bug" problems, but it's basically a fully-manual system.

With patience and forethought, you can lay out some very complex boards.

One nice thing is that once you have a design and you're satisfied it's "perfect", for an extra $60 US, or so, they'll send you the Gerbers.

I suspect some of the other proto houses will send Gerbers too, but best to check first. Sounds like your project is small, so Gerber availability probably isn't an issue?

Never used PADS. Used to use EEDesigner Pro back in the stone ages.

-mpm

I've used ExpressPCB many times. No "bug" problems, but it's basically a fully-manual system.

With patience and forethought, you can lay out some very complex boards.

One nice thing is that once you have a design and you're satisfied it's "perfect", for an extra $60 US, or so, they'll send you the Gerbers.

I suspect some of the other proto houses will send Gerbers too, but best to check first. Sounds like your project is small, so Gerber availability probably isn't an issue?

Never used PADS. Used to use EEDesigner Pro back in the stone ages.

-mpm

The design is pretty simple. Just a 100-pin TQFP and miscellaneous other stuff. Two signal layers and one power/ground pair should do the trick.

I guess the key is to check and double check the libraries and final output.

I think I'll give them a try.

Thanks.

Bob

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fanZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com...

weeks to do 1/2 day job. =EF=BF=BDYou guys should revisit pcb123. =EF=BF=BD= Be versatile on computer, learn to recognize the behavior of the program a l= ittle bit and you will be very successful.

I tend not to "blame" my tools, unless they are truly unfit for their intended purpose. For a FREE multilayer manual PCB layout software application that functions exactly as the manual says it should..... it's hard to find fault with that.

We didn't write these applications, and for any number of reasons beyond the OP's control, maybe that app just doesn't work for him, or his machine. That is the basis for the reply. The total assertion that I am not successful because I have somehow failed to recognize the behavior of your preferred program borders on the retarded. Grow up.

I am not arguing that a motorized chainsaw beats a hand axe when you're cutting down trees, only that either will get the job done. ...and on occasion (such as a no fuel condition), the hand axe is actually preferred.

-mpm

Once upon a time i bought a schematic capture / PCB tool from these folks:

I liked it pretty well. It seems that they have a free version for windows. It does not work in wine due to directx issues. I am intrigued, they had a this product 20+ years ago that was usable tools that ran on a 286 and just smoked the competition. Not high enough profile to get bought but still in business. interesting?

I guess these days, who's going to buy a company who's only product is written mostly in assembly language? Not really a company to get bought out for its technology I guess. And as you say, not high enough in profile (or competing sales) to get bought out either.

Dave.

Check out DipTrace. There is an online manual, and a usable free version.

Tam

Before proceeding with this suggestion, read this:

't-picture-that+zz-zz+*-bug-problems+DipTrace+*-you-have-nothing-else-to-stand-on+ww-ww+qq+not-a-nice-choice