Homebrew PCBs

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "markuszingg" <homebrew-pcb@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10:45 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Eagle software users - a must read.


I've been absent to this group for a very long time, but now that I'm
a bit more back into the business of makeing PCBs I returned just to
see that you guys refer to my Eagle post in comp.arch.embedded :-)

Well, the ULPs actually saved my life. Using them one can always
export all Eagle elements into ASCII text files and from there back
into Eagle. That way the problem can be circumvented. Never the less,
the attitude shown by CadSoft seemed really special. There are
however other reasons why I will quit using Eagle in the longer run.
The last design I made was only doable by writing very complex ULPs
on my own (i.e. one to calculate individual trace lenghts between
given components on the board in order to match trace lengts for fast
digital busses) and me thinks that functionality like this should be
directly included in the package. I think that CadSoft is actually
missing the market in that the days with through hole part technology
only and slow clock frequencies are really definately gone. In other
words, a package these days should support makeing faster digital
designs and as such should offer simulation, methods to route
complete (impedance controlled) digital busses with trace lenght
matching and so on. If I look at what they add with the upcoming
release 5.0 I see suport for drawing electrical plans like those with
building constructions etc. Hmmmmm, seems like CadSoft is searching
customers in new segments, but me thinks they forget the customers in
the segments they already have....


Pulsonix has high-speed design features:

http://www.pulsonix.com/highspeed.asp

It costs more than Eagle, but is much easier to use and support is 
excellent.

Leon
--
Leon Heller
Amateur radio call-sign G1HSM
Yaesu FT-817ND and FT-857D transceivers
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
leon355@...
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller