kinda OT: PCB layout
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Posts: 46,084
I need some software that I can use to layout PCBs. I tried out IVEX it
looks good, but I need to be able use more than 100 pins. I won't ever be
using this software to generate revenue. Is there good software out there
that I can get for free? I don't like having to create a whole bunch of
modules but, I guess I might have to. I've tried a bunch of different
software, but there always limited in some way, no printing, or a pin limit.
What options are there for people like me? I just want to be able to make
circuit boards simply for my own use. I would like to be able to
draw make the schematic in another piece of software (which I would also
have to find) and export a netlist, and then maybe even have the PCB
software autoroute.
______________________________________________________
looks good, but I need to be able use more than 100 pins. I won't ever be
using this software to generate revenue. Is there good software out there
that I can get for free? I don't like having to create a whole bunch of
modules but, I guess I might have to. I've tried a bunch of different
software, but there always limited in some way, no printing, or a pin limit.
What options are there for people like me? I just want to be able to make
circuit boards simply for my own use. I would like to be able to
draw make the schematic in another piece of software (which I would also
have to find) and export a netlist, and then maybe even have the PCB
software autoroute.
______________________________________________________
Comments
try protel...
see this : www.protel.com
I always use this to layout my circuit...
of course, you can try to find some cracker for it.
Simon
Original Message
From: ED Ward <punk__rocker@h...>
To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2000 11:46 AM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] kinda OT: PCB layout
> I need some software that I can use to layout PCBs. I tried out IVEX it
> looks good, but I need to be able use more than 100 pins. I won't ever be
> using this software to generate revenue. Is there good software out there
> that I can get for free? I don't like having to create a whole bunch of
> modules but, I guess I might have to. I've tried a bunch of different
> software, but there always limited in some way, no printing, or a pin
limit.
>
> What options are there for people like me? I just want to be able to make
> circuit boards simply for my own use. I would like to be able to
> draw make the schematic in another piece of software (which I would also
> have to find) and export a netlist, and then maybe even have the PCB
> software autoroute.
> ______________________________________________________
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
>
>
>
punk__rocker@h... writes:
> I need some software that I can use to layout PCBs. I tried out IVEX it
> looks good, but I need to be able use more than 100 pins. I won't ever be
> using this software to generate revenue. Is there good software out there
> that I can get for free? I don't like having to create a whole bunch of
> modules but, I guess I might have to. I've tried a bunch of different
> software, but there always limited in some way, no printing, or a pin
limit.
>
> What options are there for people like me? I just want to be able to make
> circuit boards simply for my own use. I would like to be able to
> draw make the schematic in another piece of software (which I would also
> have to find) and export a netlist, and then maybe even have the PCB
> software autoroute.
I use Delta Cad. The evaluation copies were free the last time I checked. I
registered and was sent a very detailed book with plenty of examples. Also
the registered copy has enhanced features.
It is a strait forward CAD program with lots of nice features. I can draw my
schematics with it, and I have built my own electronics library easily. It
prints to scale (or any scale) on every printer I have tried from laser to
Dot matrix.
I silk screen my designs, so it is nice to be able to print a 1:1 drawing on
a transparency for transfer. If you are designing boards of 100 components
or less this should work nice. If you are sending boards to a board house
you will want to look at the commercially available software, as Delta cad
creates a DXF file and most board houses require a different format.
Good Luck
[noparse][[/noparse]1] EasyTrax is a free and very competent PCB design tool that outputs
PostScript (among other things) plot files, which can be made into film at
low cost compared to the usual photoplotting service bureaus. If you don't
want film, it makes perfect laser printout, Gerber plot & drill files, or
it drives (good grief!) popular pen plotters. Download here:
http://www.apcircuits.com/html/software.html
[noparse][[/noparse]2] We have an *unlimited* Ivex WinBoard license (one only) for sale,
because we switched to Protel99 as our shop standard. You can have the
license for half of what we paid, i.e. $250. The most current version of
WinBoard may be downloaded from Ivex' web site (you probably have it), and
I'll ship the printed manual in its original carton. Please reply by
private email if you want to pursue this...
At 07:46 PM 3/24/00 -0800, you wrote:
>I need some software that I can use to layout PCBs. I tried out IVEX it
>looks good, but I need to be able use more than 100 pins. I won't ever be
>using this software to generate revenue. Is there good software out there
>that I can get for free? I don't like having to create a whole bunch of
>modules but, I guess I might have to. I've tried a bunch of different
>software, but there always limited in some way, no printing, or a pin limit.
>
>What options are there for people like me? I just want to be able to make
>circuit boards simply for my own use. I would like to be able to
>draw make the schematic in another piece of software (which I would also
>have to find) and export a netlist, and then maybe even have the PCB
>software autoroute.
Mike Hardwick, for Decade Engineering -- <http://www.decadenet.com>
Manufacturer of the famous BOB-II Serial Video Text Display Module!