Feedback requested on Target3001 CAD Program

Hi to all,

I've been looking at some low end $400 to $1000 Schematic capture and PCB layout programs. What seems like a new kid on the block is the TARGET3001 CAD program.

formatting link

Feedback one their website is all very positive, no surprise. I've spent a little time playing around with it and it looks pretty solid.

What I'm looking for is feedback from other users of the program. Is this package as good as it seams, or do I need to take off my rose colored glasses.

Thanks in Advance, Rich, East Coast Optical Technologies, Inc

formatting link

Reply to
rmigliac
Loading thread data ...

Hello Rolf,

Some time ago, when only workstation had enough computing power I was trained on Mentor Graphics. I was not a great fan of it, at all. Than for different smaller projects and to be faster with development I used Orcad. When Orcad run under DOS it was outstanding at that time. As some people on the boards wrote several times, the newer Orcad versions are not that great anymore and people said, that parts of the tool still run with patches in DOS background. Agreed, Eagle it is easy to use and straight forward, but as most projects have something special on the board, e.g. special IC, cut out, mechanical integration, unique routing I found, that Eagle has limitation. For simpler projects it is good and with the evaluation level not bad. But particularly, when you change something on the screen and it does not come out the way you draw it this can be frustrating. You play for a long time until you found out what it is or you give up.

This is in my humble opinion the beauty of TARGET3001. The IBF companies philosophy is WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). And that is really true. Also having good CAD drawing function can be sometimes very helpful. You are right, there are more elements which can be modified for the user and as with any program you need to go through the learning process. But once you know the right mouse clicks, short cuts the tool is enormous efficient. The thing for me is I don't want to pay xk $ for a tool and than on top support fees. Target is a good balance between pricing and performance and they keep adding on functions. I like the tool and with the easy gerbering function a nice round up.

Your input on the poor help menu is something you should place on the TARGET forum

formatting link
or send an email to IBF ( snipped-for-privacy@ibfriedrich.com). The company is more than happy to get feedback and improve their product. This is important that the tool need to improve with the hardware and software changes. Also if you have technical problems, I found that IBF usually posts an answer within 24 hours and I assume if you email them the same will be true - all for free, what a deal. This kind of service running on a big boy's tool will cost you. Regards, ...richard

Reply to
richard

Hi Rich, I've been working with Target for 1 year now.Like every other program it has advantages and disadvantages.Before I worked with Eagle (Cadsoft).Eagle is easier to handle.You get a good schematic and a sharp layout on the screen from the beginning without much adaptation of default values.In Target you can adjust almost everything ( drill, trace width, case outlines...) in your schematic and layout without going back to the device-library. If you know how and where to adjust these things it is very comfortable. But just there lies the crux.The menu is confusing and the online-help and handbook are lousy.The default colors of schematic and layout are miserable without your intervention.It took me about 3 weeks to get a screen image that was acceptable to me.So what? there are people who like Target (Forum) others are more sceptical (I).I think it depends on your experience.Target is very flexible but at least for me difficult to get accustomed to. Eagle is easier to learn, I guess. Rolf

" snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com" schrieb:

Reply to
Heindorf

Thank you Rolf and Rich for the inputs. I started to get fustrated with Target and have loaded Eagle. Many parts in Targets library and documentation retain their German origin. One feature that I really liked in Target was the built in simulation capability. Unfortunately, the learning curve is substantial and the documentation is somewhat lacking. Eagle was definately easier to learn.

Reply to
Rich

Here is a link to a "TARGET-crash course english" pdf-file.

formatting link

Maybe it helps. Regards, ..richard

Rich wrote:

Unfortunately,

Reply to
richard

ElectronDepot website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.