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printed circuit board software — Parallax Forums

printed circuit board software

ShawnRShawnR Posts: 8
edited 2008-01-28 02:21 in BASIC Stamp
HI

I was hoping someone could steer me towards some software for the design and printing of PCB's at home using the photo etch method. If I get my next STAMP project working OK, it may be worthy of a PCB.

I have looked haphazardly over the years into some softwares but never actually printed the board pattern. One supplier of free software has it locked so as not to print a usable image so that you need to send it to them to produce the boards.·(which is OK except that I like most of you, probably would do a lot of small one only boards)

Is there any freeware or shareware or relatively inexpensive software available?

Thanks

Shawn

Comments

  • Martin HebelMartin Hebel Posts: 1,239
    edited 2007-12-30 04:42
    www.expressPCB.com has a nice package, simple to use, and while it is made for their manufacturing system, the printout is very good quality and to scale so it could be used for photo-etching.

    And if you want to have them make it, a handful is simple boards is pretty inexpensive.

    -Martin

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    SelmaWare Solutions - StampPlot GUI for controllers, XBee and Propeller Application Boards

    Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Electronic Systems Technologies

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2007-12-30 08:11
    Advanced Circuits has been touting their new, free PCB Artist layout software. For a limited time, according to their website, it can be upgraded to produce Gerber files for free after the first order for boards. What this means is that you won't be tied to a single supplier for boards after you place one order with them (I think).

    For commercial work, I use CADINT (U.S. and Swedish websites) and love it.

    -Phil

    Post Edited (Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)) : 12/30/2007 8:18:03 AM GMT
  • SN96SN96 Posts: 318
    edited 2008-01-02 15:09
    EpressPCB is perhaps the best and most intuitive free software for simple designs. Creating custom component footprints is quite easy as well vs. other software programs, and it also has multi sheets unlike Eagle Cad.

    I recommend ExpressPCB for your needs.

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    Mike



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  • allieallie Posts: 109
    edited 2008-01-03 07:13
    Hi, I am also checking out which one to use express pcb or eagle, I have eagle,s cd·Rom Free PCB software·and a book from Al Willams Build your own Printed Circuit Boards. I also have the free software from·Express pcb. I like both but I think I like Express pcb a little better. I've been away from using both for almost a year for work reasons but now I,m trying to learn both. I am new to designing my·own boards and one thing I run in to is there is always a part·their library dosn't have which I need,so a program which let's you design your own parts·easily is a good one. If you find one I,d like to know. I bought Al Willams book from one of the electronics parts supplier's which is a good book, he has lot's of experence in this field, it's worth checking out.

    Allie
  • PLJackPLJack Posts: 398
    edited 2008-01-14 12:25
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) said...

    For commercial work, I use CADINT (U.S. and Swedish websites) and love it.
    -Phil

    I see they have a non commercial version for $60.
    Is that for real?

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    - - - PLJack - - -


    Perfection in design is not achieved when there is nothing left to add.
    It is achieved when there is nothing left to take away.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2008-01-14 19:27
    Apparently it is, although I don't know what you have to do to qualify or whether it's full-featured. A quick phone call to their 800 number would provide the answer.

    -Phil
  • ArielAriel Posts: 27
    edited 2008-01-26 14:40
    i heard another one called cadsoft. its a freeware, and they have online support.
    their webpage is: http://www.cadsoft.de/

    I never used it, i'm just starting all this...
    PS: where can i supply myself to do my own pcbs?
  • Andy FoxAndy Fox Posts: 46
    edited 2008-01-26 15:23
    I've been using CirCad myself for over ten years (which means I probably have a very antiquated version of it):

    http://www.circad.net/

    It does auto-routing, trace checking against your schematic and all that good stuff. Tried using ExpressPCB since everyone talks about it. Took twice as many mouse clicks to do everything. Not as intuitively friendly for serious work IMO.

    Industry standards are OrCad and Pads, or were when I use to be in that world.
  • KMoffettKMoffett Posts: 7
    edited 2008-01-26 21:51
    Ariel,

    Eagle is Cadsoft's program!

    Ken
  • ArielAriel Posts: 27
    edited 2008-01-27 14:48
    Op!, sorry Shawn. I didn't realized about it.
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2008-01-27 20:14
    Another freebie KICAD

    http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/

    bit daunting to use at first but here's an excellent tutorial that helps the newbie

    http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Mini_tutorial


    Post Edited (skylight) : 1/27/2008 9:30:25 PM GMT
  • pwillardpwillard Posts: 321
    edited 2008-01-28 02:21
    I've been using Sprint-Layout from these guys.· --> http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/sprint-layout.html

    I have really good results using the Toner transfer method for once-off boards.· After trying the demo... I bought it.· Much easier than CADSOFT Eagle.·

    pw

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    There's nothing like a new idea and a warm soldering iron.
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