Affordable PCB Layout Software ???

Nothing that I'm aware of, except perhaps Sprint-Layout has a wonderful, sensible menu system that makes it super easy to use. I loathe wasted multi-level clicks, mode-changes, etc. I chose Sprint-Layout as being small, fast, inexpensive, yet professionally supported. Small, nimble software that really works is a joy to use.

FreePCB looks cool and has lots of extra features. That's enticing, but not always good--I downloaded it for a look when I've got the time to learn it--but I'm likely to keep using Sprint-Layout for the time being. It works, gets the job done, and it's actually fun.

Cheers, James Arthur

Thanks, the PCB photos are indeed artworked over a DPS screenshot - I did it just for ad purposes (my idea for that, that is :-).

The graphics editor has Gerber, hpgl, Excellon and some other (long dead) output formats. I remember reverse engineering the Excellon format by looking at piece of punched tape back then (the fact that is is so simple did help a lot, of course). It used to run on a 6809 based system - during the 80-s, the PC based PCB stuff was just unusable compared to it. Now the emulated incarnation is about 20 times faster (than the 2 x 2MHz 6809 it used to run on) and is still quite good for my layouts, it waits for me, I don't have to wait for it at all really.

Didi

------------------------------------------------------ Dimiter Popoff Transgalactic Instruments

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Original message:

James Arthur wrote:

For all that you guys *did* blockquote in this bit of salesmanship, you managed to snip out the _name_ of the app for those who would stumble upon this post: Sprint-Layout.

Just tried the demo. Managed to create a layout without reading the manual. The icons and mouse clicks work the way you think they should... well they did for me. I'll continue trying it.

When using copper pour, does this program tell you if any sections of the copper are not connected to the others? Does it do a proper job of keeping track of pin connectivity when pins are connected to the copper pour (same thing really)?

I used FreePCB and it did not do this. You could have traces cut up a copper plane and it would not warn you that they were disconnected. It would also not warn you if this resulted in pins being unconnected from the rest of the net. Once you connect a pin to the copper plane, it considers it connected to the entire net.

I don't recall FreePCB having any other issues that concerned me. It also has a pretty nice user interface and did not require a lot of learning except for how to do a few things like connect pins to copper pours. But it has a very helpful bunch of users and an active support forum. The support is actually ***MUCH*** better than any commercial product I have ever used!

Rick

Find it here:

sPlan: schematic editor

Sprint-Layout: PWB Layout LochMaster: tool for strip board projects

FrontDesigner: front panel CAD

DMM-ProfiLab / Digital-ProfiLab / ProfiLab-Expert / AudioWave" a seroes of products somewhat like labview

Each costs 39.9 Euros (roughly 61.6 US Dollars).

--
Guy Macon

The people at Eagle should try it out and learn something from the experience.... icons and mouse clicks working the way you think they should

l

ld

Actually, the latest version of Eagle (5.x) goes a long way towards being more standard-behaviour compliant (right click context menu, ctrl-z for undo, etc.)

I fully expect that the folks at Eagle know how most people think icons and mouse clicks should work and are simply convinced that there way is better. :-)

I used ProBoard/ProNet way-back-when on an Amiga computer and it was the same way -- made little attempt to use the standard Amiga OS conventions of "mousing around," instead substituting what they thought was "better."

May i presume that Sprint-Layout allows one to make all of the requisite Gerbers?

Yup. Gerber for the traces, Excellon for the drilling, and HPGL with tool path calculation if you prefer isolation milling. They also have a .lay file format with some vague talk of extra dimensioning info.

--
Guy Macon

Re Sprint-Layout I am trying to make a standard 16 pin dil footprint with rectangular pads with through hole. There doesn't seem to be a way to specify a drill hole for other than a round pad? Rectangular pads are assumed to be smt. Am I doing something wrong?

I can edit any pad, and make it any size/shape I want, with any drill size.

Sprint-Layout comes with a bunch of DIP patterns pre-defined, so I'm not sure exactly why you need a custom one, but here's one way to do it:

1) Open the Macro toolbar by clicking on the icon, then 2) choose a DIP pattern from the list.

The pattern will appear in the bottom of the window.

3) Drag and drop the pattern onto your board.

4) Unlock the pattern by clicking on the Unlock icon.

This breaks the DIP pattern into individual pads. Now you can edit each pad however you want.

If the Properties sidebar isn't visible, right-click a pad to turn it on.

There you can adjust the pad shape, dimensions, and drill size.

If you want to save the edit as a new pattern, select the whole, lock it all together with the "Lock" icon, then copy at will, or save as a new macro.

HTH, James Arthur

Excellent, many thanks. This is the best layout program I've tried.

well

pads

hole

Delightfully straightforward. As it happens, I've just finished a design for an industrial test unit and not looking forward to building up a prototype for demonstrating. The prog' has proved easy to use, so thought I'd quickly lay down two relays and a connector strip on a PCB, as these are a ballache to wire up by hand. 3 hours of 'might as well just add this other bit' and the complete PCB popped out.

It's 'iffy' but I don't really enjoy this kind of thing and there is no way I plan to do anything bigger,( 3 hours sat in front of a screen and I'm chewing carpet) but I'm surprised how much could be done in the time. Sprint was obviously written by some kind of engineering person.

Normally sub' out PCB designs but as this test unit is a one-off, then may as well use the layout and save a few bob :).

Neat. Hint: If this is for your typical 13A UK mains circuit make the traces fatter and mind the limitations of thermal reliefs if used.

[...]

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

Nice looking board. I'm due for a layout or two myself.

Cheers, James Arthur

Of all mentioned here, the two that seems to stand out are Circad/OmniGlyph and Sprint-Layout. Which of these is easiest to use for all PCB aspects from schematic entry to making all of the requisite Gerbers in industry-standard form (ie each side properly mirrored or not as required)?

imes

I had the same experience with Eagle, too bad they can't offer an optional front end that follows the windows standard (for us folks that prefer window applications).

Using Eagle is like driving in England on the other side of the rode while standing on my head with a mirror as my only view of road, I really have no interest in learning how to do that.