PCB cad software review

GrantM. · 2004-10-14T16:10:18+00:00

I know various iteration of this question have been asked before butit's still a good thread to follow.I personally have been using Protel for a few years and have beenquite happy with it. As much as I have read about it's instabilityit's a rare day that it crashes and usually thats due to other factors(running *way* to many programs on the same computer) and thats onfour different systems over four years. I found it to be a quick,intuitive program that has tons of power under it's relativly simpleinterface. The only problem is the price... $7995 USD.Ideally I would be after a sub $1000 PCB program. The boards we makeare typically two layer and not overly complex, although componentplacement is often tight. An autorouter is not essential nor is asimulator (actually none of our boards work in a simulator checkoutBEAM robotics...) Our operating system of choice is win2k and isunlikely to change anytime soon. Generally we tend to do a library ofall of our own parts.I have been looking at Eagle, Easy PC, FreePCB.As far as popularity goes Protel seems to be top of the pile (it's theprogram they use at my post secondary...). When it comes to hobbyistmarket then Eagle seems to be the most popular. I have also hear goodthings about Easy PC.I tried Eagle for a bit and found the posts about its "odd" userinterface to be bang on. My biggest complaint is the lack of a "ruler"all measurements depend on a grid system, perhaps I am wrong though? Ithink I could live with the interface but it keeps me searching.I have given Easy PC a brief try and my initial impression is that itis a scaled down version of Protel, not quite as feature rich orpolished but nice and easy to use (and inclueds a ruler!). Opinions onthis program?FreePCB is an interesting and recent contender, can't beat the price.Anyone used this one before? thoughts/opinions?So are there any other sub (or close) $1000 PCB programs that you haveexperience with?GrantM.P.S. I really got to like the ruler in Protel, use it...

Oct 14, 2004 20 Replies

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Having used over fifteen PCB design packages, I will say this narrow view is not common. While I have been using Orcad for over 15 years, I have also used "verybest" "Vanguard," "Pads," & Protel 99SE & 'DXP'

they all have their individual quirks, but all are useful and do the job reasonably well.

I have also tried many Demo packages, and with in the limits they are all capable of doing a good job. I do not understand the Caustic condemnation of any one package as being a fair assessment of the capabilities of that package.

I bought Protell, Which is the LEAST expensive package I have, and have upgraded it due to a customer who requested it. The only criticism I have of the package is the help files were written by a programmer, not a PCB designer.

Clarence.

PS: I do NOT recommend CELL. Although I haven't seen it around for a long time. It truly was an amateur effort.