Homebrew PCBs

What is the best software to design pcb.
It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would like to be make boards lager than 80x100mm.

There is no "best" software, full stop. It depends on your individual situation.

I guess you are on a limited budget for non commercial use, so I would
suggest you have a look at the completely free DesignSpark software
<http://www.designspark.com/>.

It is a version of Easy-PC, owned by the same company as Pulsonix.

ST

On Fri, Dec 31, 2010 at 4:32 PM, John <ikkefestbrems1@...> wrote:
> What is the best software to design pcb.
> It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would like to be make boards lager than 80x100mm.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

You have a couple of choices:
DesignSpark, Kicad and Diptrace, though I think Diptrace is like Eagle,
it has certain limitations.
Kicad and DesignSpark have no limitations, but DesignSpark only works on
Winblows.
Kicad works on everything Win, Mac, Linux.
Kicad is by far the better choice IMO.

I did a review of some of the free cad software available on my blog.
http://electron-orbit.com/


http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.designspark.com
http://www.diptrace.com/

On 31/12/2010 15:32, John wrote:
> What is the best software to design pcb.
> It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would like to be make boards lager than 80x100mm.
>

Have a look at Design Spark from RS Components.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@...> wrote:
>
> On 31/12/2010 15:32, John wrote:
> > What is the best software to design pcb.
> > It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would like to be make boards lager than 80x100mm.
> >
> 
> Have a look at Design Spark from RS Components.
> 
> Leon
> -- 
> Leon Heller
> G1HSM
>

I had a look at Design Spark and there seems to be no way to reactivate the software if you were to reinstall Windows for example.

Personally I use KiCAD and love it, it doesn't do *everything* but you can usually work around most things.

Some people like gEDA too, but trying to use that gave me a major headache.

The board layout pgm I personally like and use the most  is
FreePCB (   www.freepcb.com    )  for Windows to do layout and generate 
Gerber files  It's free and open source. Among its good aspects is:
   1 to 16 copper layers
   Board size up to 60 inches by 60 inches
   Imports and exports PADS-PCB netlists
   easy to use footprint editor, modify from libray parts, etc.
   I also like that I can go into the board file that is saved in ASCII 
and edit changes with a simple editor.  This is especially useful to me 
when I'm working with someone who supplies me with an NC file for a 
complex board outline.  Some word processor editing and I can paste a 
thousand plus points into the outline file.  This allows very complex 
board outlines.

Then
GCPrevue  (http://www.graphicode.com/GC-Prevue_Gerber_Viewer)  to view 
those Gerber files and print them out 1:1 with my laser printer using 
magazine glossy pages.  Thanks to this discussion list for that great 
suggestion.  It works better than any photo paper I ever tried.    Scrub 
the PCB with Comet, rinse, air dry, and don't touch with the fingers, 
iron on the image with a modified cheap GBC laminator that  I took out 
the thermoswitch controlling the platen temperature and substituted the 
higher temp version from Mouser, part #   802-STO-325, Mfr. #:     
3L11-325,a Stancor 315-335F OPENS N/C with a temperature control range 
of + 157 C to + 169 C.


FreePCB is not as powerful as Kicad (and I have done some simple boards 
in Kicad) particularly since it does not have a schematic package, but 
it is simpler, so that for the infrequent times I use it, I can remember 
and re-learn how to use it quickly.  I use a very old ORCAD pkg for 
schematics that outputs PADS, but there is also a method at:
http://www.diyhifi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1114
that requires a bit of list editing that can take LTspice.  LTspice is a 
fantastic combined free schematic pgm/SPICE simulator available from:  
(http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/ltspice.jsp)
So do your schematic and simulations in LTspice, then export the netlist 
and make it compatible to FreePCB.

In putting together this email I stumbled across
http://printedboardcircuit.blogspot.com/
with a list of free PCB tools, a couple of new names I haven't run 
across before.  Need to look at them, I guess.

So just some other ways to accomplish a homebrew board.

Regards,
Charles R. Patton

Leon Heller wrote:

>  
>
> On 31/12/2010 15:32, John wrote:
> > What is the best software to design pcb.
> > It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would 
> like to be make boards lager than 80x100mm.
> >
>
> Have a look at Design Spark from RS Components.
>
> Leon
> -- 
> Leon Heller
> G1HSM
>
>

Hello John, DIPTrace is a free (300 pin limit, 4 Layer) schematic & PCB package. This comes with Auto-place & Auto-route. D/Load the free version with the extensive parts & pads libraries, and the user manual to start. Full support is offered from Alex, Stanislav & their team, as well as the DIPTrace group forum.
Not only is the program easy to use, you can export Gerber files, drill files ,GFX as well as ASCII format files.
There is also the option of converting to and from Eagle PCB and P-CAD formats.
Having tried most types of schematic/PCB packages over the years, I have found DIPTrace to be the best overall in ease of use, parts library and support.
The maximum size of board is the same as a A4 page.
Hierarchical designs are supported as well as multi-page schematics.


http://diptrace.com/

Hope this helps, chester







 




      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Behalf Of Howard Chester



Hello John, DIPTrace is a free (300 pin limit, 4 Layer) schematic & PCB
package. This comes with Auto-place & Auto-route. D/Load the free version
with the extensive parts & pads libraries, and the user manual to start.
Full support is offered from Alex, Stanislav & their team, as well as the
DIPTrace group forum.

 

 

I don't know if they still do it, but if you send e-mail to support, they
were giving away a key to double the limit of pins on the free version.  We
were encouraged to make this offer available in any forms we were on.

 

John R

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I don't think RS can politically afford to turn off the "free" tap.

(And Easy-PC is not that expensive if the worst came to be).

ST

On Fri, Dec 31, 2010 at 11:20 PM, tda7000 <Tda7000@...> wrote:

> I had a look at Design Spark and there seems to be no way to reactivate the software if you were to reinstall Windows for example.
>

> Kicad and DesignSpark have no limitations, but DesignSpark only works on Winblows.

From what little I've played with it, DS appears to run just fine under Wine on Linux.

-e

If it doesn't, $50 (or less?) gives you a XP pro license these days,
and the option to run loads and loads of other free software.

While Linux is just fine for simple stuff such as Internet or Office I
just don't have the time to bother with it for "real" work. Too many
of the tools (some of them proprietory and not replaceable) only get
made for Windows. I want to use those tools so I have to provide the
required environment.

ST

On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:42 PM, hotsnausage <hotsnausage@...> wrote:
>> Kicad and DesignSpark have no limitations, but DesignSpark only works on Winblows.
>
> From what little I've played with it, DS appears to run just fine under Wine on Linux.
>
> -e
>

Another vote for KiCad. I have not found the learning curve difficult, and there are some useful tutorials on the web. I only use it occasionally, and don't have any trouble coming back up to speed each time.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "John" <ikkefestbrems1@...> wrote:

>
> What is the best software to design pcb.
> It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would like to be make boards lager than 80x100mm.
>

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Stefan Trethan <stefan_trethan@...> wrote:
>
> If it doesn't, $50 (or less?) gives you a XP pro license these days,
> and the option to run loads and loads of other free software.
> 
> While Linux is just fine for simple stuff such as Internet or Office I
> just don't have the time to bother with it for "real" work. Too many
> of the tools (some of them proprietory and not replaceable) only get
> made for Windows. I want to use those tools so I have to provide the
> required environment.

Interesting ... my experience is mostly the exact opposite -- to get access to the kind of free programs that I really want to use, I find Linux to be a great advantage. I use Linux as my primary platform for everything I do, including my real job. I do (unfortunately) have to do some things in Windows because that is the standard platform used where I work, but regularly I find myself turning to Linux to solve something that I can do easily there, but would have to fish around quite a while to do under Windows -- or would have to pay way more than I want to pay to get proprietary software.

The ONE area where Linux/FOSS is "not quite there yet" for me is in DTP -- there is an okay program (Scribus) that continues to improve, but it does not yet do everything I need.

I like diptrace

 

 

Best Regards,

Steve Maroney

 

Business Computer Support, LLC

Mobile Phone:504-914-4704

Office Phone: 504-904-0266

Fax: 866-871-7797

From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2010 9:32 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Software for PCB.

 

  

What is the best software to design pcb.
It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would like to
be make boards lager than 80x100mm.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

That's funny because I'm the opposite.
I use Linux for 'real' work and only use windows to play games, cause
IMO that's all it's good for.

Been using Kicad on linux for about 2 years now and just love it.

On Sat, 2011-01-01 at 15:25 +0100, Stefan Trethan wrote:
>   
> If it doesn't, $50 (or less?) gives you a XP pro license these days,
> and the option to run loads and loads of other free software.
> 
> While Linux is just fine for simple stuff such as Internet or Office I
> just don't have the time to bother with it for "real" work. Too many
> of the tools (some of them proprietory and not replaceable) only get
> made for Windows. I want to use those tools so I have to provide the
> required environment.
> 
> ST
> 
> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:42 PM, hotsnausage <hotsnausage@...>
> wrote:
> >> Kicad and DesignSpark have no limitations, but DesignSpark only
> works on Winblows.
> >
> > From what little I've played with it, DS appears to run just fine
> under Wine on Linux.
> >
> > -e
> >
> 
> 
> 
>

I'm a big fan of gEDA/PCB, but then again, I'm biased... ;-)

gEDA/PCB is the one for me! After few Youtube tutorials, I'm now able
to handle it. And same thing regarding Linux vs Windows. For me,
windows is a plateform to play games with, and Linux, a plateform to
work with.

My 2¢ ;)

JM

2011/1/1 DJ Delorie <dj@...>:

>
> I'm a big fan of gEDA/PCB, but then again, I'm biased... ;-)
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Charles

I second that

Malcolm

I don't suffer from insanity I enjoy it!

--- On Fri, 12/31/10, Charles Patton <charles.r.patton@...> wrote:

From: Charles Patton <charles.r.patton@...>
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Software for PCB and misc notes on process, too
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 31, 2010, 11:52 PM







 



  


    
      
      
      

The board layout pgm I personally like and use the most  is

FreePCB (   www.freepcb.com    )  for Windows to do layout and generate 

Gerber files  It's free and open source. Among its good aspects is:

   1 to 16 copper layers

   Board size up to 60 inches by 60 inches

   Imports and exports PADS-PCB netlists

   easy to use footprint editor, modify from libray parts, etc.

   I also like that I can go into the board file that is saved in ASCII 

and edit changes with a simple editor.  This is especially useful to me 

when I'm working with someone who supplies me with an NC file for a 

complex board outline.  Some word processor editing and I can paste a 

thousand plus points into the outline file.  This allows very complex 

board outlines.



Then

GCPrevue  (http://www.graphicode.com/GC-Prevue_Gerber_Viewer)  to view 

those Gerber files and print them out 1:1 with my laser printer using 

magazine glossy pages.  Thanks to this discussion list for that great 

suggestion.  It works better than any photo paper I ever tried.    Scrub 

the PCB with Comet, rinse, air dry, and don't touch with the fingers, 

iron on the image with a modified cheap GBC laminator that  I took out 

the thermoswitch controlling the platen temperature and substituted the 

higher temp version from Mouser, part #   802-STO-325, Mfr. #:     

3L11-325,a Stancor 315-335F OPENS N/C with a temperature control range 

of + 157 C to + 169 C.



FreePCB is not as powerful as Kicad (and I have done some simple boards 

in Kicad) particularly since it does not have a schematic package, but 

it is simpler, so that for the infrequent times I use it, I can remember 

and re-learn how to use it quickly.  I use a very old ORCAD pkg for 

schematics that outputs PADS, but there is also a method at:

http://www.diyhifi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1114

that requires a bit of list editing that can take LTspice.  LTspice is a 

fantastic combined free schematic pgm/SPICE simulator available from:  

(http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/ltspice.jsp)

So do your schematic and simulations in LTspice, then export the netlist 

and make it compatible to FreePCB.



In putting together this email I stumbled across

http://printedboardcircuit.blogspot.com/

with a list of free PCB tools, a couple of new names I haven't run 

across before.  Need to look at them, I guess.



So just some other ways to accomplish a homebrew board.



Regards,

Charles R. Patton



Leon Heller wrote:

>  

>

> On 31/12/2010 15:32, John wrote:

> > What is the best software to design pcb.

> > It is not for comercial use. I'm currently using Eagle but would 

> like to be make boards lager than 80x100mm.

> >

>

> Have a look at Design Spark from RS Components.

>

> Leon

> -- 

> Leon Heller

> G1HSM

>

> 





    
     

    
    


 



  






      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]