Is EAGLE for hobbyist only ?

Hi,

I've been using Eagle to do an increasingly complex series of boards, mostly 4-layer. It is capable of up to 16 layers, and the newest version supports blind and buried vias, mitering, keyholing, etc. The sorts of things you'd need for 6-layer and up boards for FPGAs/DSPs (but

In fact, I'm planning a DSP/FPGA board myself!

Some folks complain about the user interface to Eagle, but I use it on Linux so having programs with inconsistent user interfaces doesn't bother me. The program is *very* stable on Linux. There are also complaints about the library development tools and package organization. This situation has improved quite a bit with recent versions as well. Since I haven't used other PCB software, it seems fine to me. I have developed extensive libraries over the years with Eagle.

The Gerber files of RS274-D and RS274-X that are produced by Eagle work fine with the board fabs that I have used. I also use the GCPrevue Gerber viewer, which works fine with Eagle's output. Quite a few contractors that I work with use Eagle as well, so if I decide I don't want to route a board, but just hand it over at the schematic level, they can take my schematic work directly.

In summary, I see no reason why Eagle won't satisfy your needs.

Although I don't use it (I use Easy PC), I evaluated Eagle a few years ago, and found it to be a very competently put- together package. It was only the higher price of the unlimited version that put me off. Assuming it's been improved since, it will by now be very good indeed. I'm sure it is totally capable of laying out a satisfactory DSP/FPGA board (what packages? BGA or QFP? How many layers etc.)- in any case, you won't find many PCB manufactureres who will make small runs to tighter design rules than .006".

PCB Pool at least take Eagle PCB files directly, but everybody takes Gerber.

paul Burke

If it gets too difficult, Pulsonix will import Eagle designs and libraries.

Leon

Leon Heller wrote: : > In summary, I see no reason why Eagle won't satisfy your needs.

: If it gets too difficult, Pulsonix will import Eagle designs and libraries. : 8-)

Does it work on Linux and Mac?

Good to hear that.

Thanks to all !

Kind russian regards, Yuri

No, only Win machines.

Leon

Eagle does work on Linux, and since a few days on Mac. See the Cadsoft-Homepage

Regards Olaf

Leon Heller schrieb:

I found it *imposible* to make the demo version of Eagle to work. That is why i use Ivex.

Robert Baer schrieb:

What OS do you have? I'm using eagle with windows (XP, 98SE) and Linux (Mandrake). I had no problems until now.