Homebrew PCBs

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "emailw8nf" <emailw8nf@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 5:25 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] What software is in use?


> I've been a lurker on here for a while.  I haven't seen much
> discussion of the layout software we experimenters like to use.
> 
> The last time I did any "volume" of homebrew PCBs, I just used
> something like Microsoft Paint!
> 
> But now, it seems there are many freeware or demoware software
> packages available for this work.  I'm curious what people tend to
> use, and what the particular benefits are of the package chosen?
> 
> I've been using QCAD - has its ups and downs.  Good news it can output
> a Gerber file, which can then be manipulated in any Gerber viewer, and
> printed/zoomed, etc.  Also it ties together the schematic and the PC
> board, so once you're done with the schematic, you go to layout, move
> the parts around, and place traces to satisfy the rat's nest.  But a
> lot of this is clumsy, and doing re-work is very tedious.  It's also
> very time-consuming to create anything other than 90 degree straight
> lines with any accuracy.  For those of us who are trying to roll out
> PC boards for things like 300 watt UHF amplifiers, that limitation can
> be a killer.
> 
> What do others use?

I use Pulsonix:

http://www.pulsonix.com

It's easily the best of the mid-range packages.

Leon