PCB Software

[Supercap2F]

Hi Everyone!

I need a good PCB software not a schematic design software. I have to be able to export the files for the board. So far I have tried eagle cad,kit cad,designspark pcb, and express pcb. the software has to run on windows 7.

Thanks

Dan

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

Have you rejected all of the packages you listed? If so, what were your reasons for each one?

What's your budget?

 

[Arouse1973]

I use mentor graphics. The demo version allows you to do small PCBs.
Adam

 

[Supercap2F]

Have you rejected all of the packages you listed? If so, what were your reasons for each one?

Yes all of the programs I listed are rejects heres why:



Eagle Cad: In there terms of use they said that in 60 days the program would delete itself.

Kit cad: I could not find out how to download it.

Designspark pcb: Way to hard to use.

Express pcb: They only let you print out pcbs through them.

What's your budget?

I make about $500 a year so free would be nice.

I use mentor graphics. The demo version allows you to do small PCBs.

Can you give me a link to there pcb program? I could not find it on there website.



Thanks for the help guys



Dan

 

[Harald Kapp]

Download KICAD here.

If you make money by using a program, consider paying for it - it's fair.
For example: Eagle light starts from 69$ ((Limitations: 1 schematic sheet, 2 signal layers, 100x80mm routing area))

 

[Supercap2F]

I tried kit cad and it was a pain to use(it was just about like designspark pcb). I liked the way express pcb worked. I would have used it if it would of let me export the board. Do you know of any pcb programs like it?

Thanks again

Dan

 

[Arouse1973]

Its called pads pcb.

 

[(*steve*)]

Pretty much all PCB design software is idiosyncratic. So it's not going to be trivial to learn. This is especially so if it integrates schematics with layout.

KiCad is very powerful, and also pretty darn hard to come to terms with.

Sprint Layout doesn't incorporate a schematic editor (unfortunately) but it is relatively easy to learn and as powerful as you'll probably ever need for non-commercial use. It costs a few $$$, but really only a very few. Download and try the demo and see how you go.

 

[(*steve*)]

Its called pads pcb.

Damn I hate web sites that won't tell you what a license costs. Do you know?

 

[Arouse1973]

Not sure it's quite exspensive but IF like it because you can start of with the basic package and then add on bits when you need them. The demo has no time out so you can do small PCBs for free. Not sure how many nodes it gives you, might only be 100 or so.

 

[Supercap2F]

Well I googled around some and I found some other programs none of which worked. So I decided to use design spark PCB since it was better than nothing. I attached a photo of a test board I did in it.

Thanks for the help

Dan

 

[hevans1944]

Nice layout. Is this one of those voltage-to-LED bar-graph display thingys? Another poster here needs one to monitor the position his truck suspension.