PCB Design software

[javed]

Any freeware recommendations?

The 555 cct I'm building in the other thread - I'm going to have a board etched up by a mate of mine.

I've tried a few freeware apps and can draw my cct schematic exactly. I then want it to suggest me the best track layout.

I've had no joy with these at all - every time I seem to get some unkown component - even though it's listed when I pick it!

Another suite I've tried simply says it doesn't understand the schematic I drew with it's own design software!

Such a simple cct I might just resort to drawing lines with the etch resist pen...

 

[ljcox]

The DOS based Protel AutoTrax programme is free.

The Australian Silicon Chip magazine has been running a series of articles explaining how to use it. See the October 2002 issue for the first.

Len

 

[Oznog]

I do well enough with CadSoftUSA's Eagle PCB editor. They've got a free "light" version, the functional restriction is the size of the board.

It's got annoying quirks, mostly having to do with copying & editing existing components. Sometimes a simple operation becomes very difficult there. Otherwise, it's quite stable and crash-free, the autorouter is quite effective, good setup of design rules, etc.


You might need a Gerber file viewer to print out artwork you could DIY etch with.

 

[mus3na]

PCB DEsign

i have 2 favorites software.

1) Protel DXP - verry excelent, you can get 30-day trial version from www.protel.com

2) Track Maker - portion from circuit maker - low provile one. you can get 30-days trial version from www.microcode.com, and also student edition with unlimited time period, but with limited circuit capacity.