R
Robert Baer
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Someone had recommended PC123; a bit large for POTS but doable.
BUT.
It is impossible to get useable documentation.
After a longwinded download, Adobe Acrobat reader complains that it
is damaged and cannot be fixed.
The so-called 24 hour response took a week and the attached "copy"
was as bad, and the second time was also bad.
So scratch PCB123 at any price, because without documentation, it
becomes useless when one needs immediate help and/or guidance.
**
Eagle?
The trial version loaded, but was completely non-functional.
So why should i pay for something that i cannot try out?
**
Ivex Winboard?
Trial version worked to all expectations, liked the incremental
pricing and have used it a lot. *Really* liked the library
compiler/decompiler - used it a lot to create many new and necessary pad
layouts.
BUT.
It is impossible to put surface mount parts on the back, so one has
to "fudge" by using two "front side" layout files; PITA and then some
(lemme see, shall i mirror the back side gerbers? Where do i put offset
vias to make them work in real life? etc?).
And the company is dead, so there is no possibility of improvements.
**
IDEAL:
1) *one* part layout that can be used for either front or back; let the
computer figure out what to do regarding pin numbers, and non-symmetry.
2) something as easy or easier than the WinBoard compiler/decompiler,
only add a graphical editor: move this over here, widen this pad there,
make an arbitrary external graphic (GIF?) into a pad/padset, etc.
3) be able to *group* and ungroup objects at will, copy and paste at
will, move any object from one side to the other at will (in short, be
as flexible as Corel Draw).
4) at least a trial version that can do all that the full version can do
- just limited in some reasonable manner (like Ivex did), say number of
pins, number of days, library size, combinations of these. But full
documentation *easily* available (not force one to use IE or some exotic
reader like the USPTO does).
5) some kind of stepped pricing scheme where small useage has an
affordable price for the little guy/ experimenter, mid pricing for those
that need more useage, and reserve the bigg buck$$ for the bigg users. I
suggest a stepping based on pins, like Ivex did; very reasonable approach.
Suggestions?
BUT.
It is impossible to get useable documentation.
After a longwinded download, Adobe Acrobat reader complains that it
is damaged and cannot be fixed.
The so-called 24 hour response took a week and the attached "copy"
was as bad, and the second time was also bad.
So scratch PCB123 at any price, because without documentation, it
becomes useless when one needs immediate help and/or guidance.
**
Eagle?
The trial version loaded, but was completely non-functional.
So why should i pay for something that i cannot try out?
**
Ivex Winboard?
Trial version worked to all expectations, liked the incremental
pricing and have used it a lot. *Really* liked the library
compiler/decompiler - used it a lot to create many new and necessary pad
layouts.
BUT.
It is impossible to put surface mount parts on the back, so one has
to "fudge" by using two "front side" layout files; PITA and then some
(lemme see, shall i mirror the back side gerbers? Where do i put offset
vias to make them work in real life? etc?).
And the company is dead, so there is no possibility of improvements.
**
IDEAL:
1) *one* part layout that can be used for either front or back; let the
computer figure out what to do regarding pin numbers, and non-symmetry.
2) something as easy or easier than the WinBoard compiler/decompiler,
only add a graphical editor: move this over here, widen this pad there,
make an arbitrary external graphic (GIF?) into a pad/padset, etc.
3) be able to *group* and ungroup objects at will, copy and paste at
will, move any object from one side to the other at will (in short, be
as flexible as Corel Draw).
4) at least a trial version that can do all that the full version can do
- just limited in some reasonable manner (like Ivex did), say number of
pins, number of days, library size, combinations of these. But full
documentation *easily* available (not force one to use IE or some exotic
reader like the USPTO does).
5) some kind of stepped pricing scheme where small useage has an
affordable price for the little guy/ experimenter, mid pricing for those
that need more useage, and reserve the bigg buck$$ for the bigg users. I
suggest a stepping based on pins, like Ivex did; very reasonable approach.
Suggestions?
