Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Expresspcb.com PCB design and construction — Parallax Forums

Expresspcb.com PCB design and construction

gtmizegtmize Posts: 9
edited 2005-10-05 13:01 in General Discussion
I'm a· newbie that is looking for software to document circuits I'm breadboarding and potentially to have them constructed.·· I was wondering if anyone here had suggestions re: preferred software to document your circuits and further if anyone had had experience with Expresspcb.com I've seen advertised in Nuts & Volts.

Hopefully this is not off topic .. I am using this for Stamp projects.

Comments

  • NewzedNewzed Posts: 2,503
    edited 2005-10-04 18:20
    I hve used Expresspcb for years. I highly recommend it.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Sid Weaver
    Do you have a Stamp Tester yet?
    http://hometown.aol.com/newzed/index.html

    ·
  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-10-04 22:32
    Since your topic doesn't specifically deal with Stamps I'm moving it to the Sandbox.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • knightofoldcodeknightofoldcode Posts: 233
    edited 2005-10-05 02:25
    gtmize,

    ExpressPCB's software is really easy to understand, and offers really basic stuff. However, if you design anything in their software, you CAN'T move it to any other software, and you MUST use THEIR production facilities. They really limit what you can do with this "free" software.

    I used to use it, however I have recently switched to Eagle. (http://www.cadsoft.de/) I would recomend it, as it's very flexible. It also has much higher end features. Something that is really neat is the AutoRouter. You create the schematic, then put all the components where you want them on the board, and click Autoroute, and it'll automatically route all the traces. ExpressPCB doesn't offer anything like this.

    I'd suggest playing around with ExpressPCB, but don't get too attached, then make the move to Eagle. If I started out on Eagle, I would have been completly lost, so the ExpressPCB was a good starter.

    Just my $0.02.
    Knight.
  • gtmizegtmize Posts: 9
    edited 2005-10-05 10:06
    Thanks,· can Express ( or someone else as good ) build from Eagle drawings?
  • knightofoldcodeknightofoldcode Posts: 233
    edited 2005-10-05 10:58
    ExpressPCB can't....but many many other PCB fab houses can.

    ALot of them use what's called "gerber" files....and Eagle can export Gerber files.

    Knight.
  • SN96SN96 Posts: 318
    edited 2005-10-05 12:19
    I have use about 4 PCB cad software platforms and Eagle Cad lite is by far the best. I have tried Pad to Pad, ExpressPCB, PCB wizard and PCB123. Eagle is the best in my opinion. The auto rout feature is a real time saver especially if you have densely populated boards. I like being able to zoom in and out with the mouse wheel, were the other cad programs scroll up and down when you use the mouse wheel (annoying).

    I would learn both software programs to give you a wider spectrum of options. ExpressPCB would be a good choice for small simple circuits and Eagle could be used for your more advanced circuits. Its good to be proficient on a variety of software platforms and then you can simply pick your flavors to best suit your needs.

    Mike

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Mike

    --
    Formally RoboROOKIE.
    ·
  • bobledouxbobledoux Posts: 187
    edited 2005-10-05 13:01
    I keep "lab" notes of my projects in Word. I drop ExpressPCB .sch files into the notes for documentation.

    I make my prototype pcb's using the Pulsar-based toner transfer system using ExpressPCB software. Its a cheap, easy system for hobby users.
Sign In or Register to comment.