Diptrace Version 2.0 (2009)

Comments

• DosManDan Posts: 179

  2009-01-12 17:40 edited 2009-01-12 17:40

  Great! I do like their software.
  
  Dan
• bambino Posts: 789

  2009-01-13 14:28 edited 2009-01-13 14:28

  Indeed, I used diptrace for my first boards and they came out great.
• Lord Steve Posts: 206

  2009-01-16 02:04 edited 2009-01-16 02:04

  I LOVE DipTrace.
• Philldapill Posts: 1,283

  2009-01-17 22:10 edited 2009-01-17 22:10

  Boo! Fly like an EAGLE, guy's. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
• Lord Steve Posts: 206

  2009-01-18 06:33 edited 2009-01-18 06:33

  You use Eagle?· You poor thing.· Go download DipTrace.· They have a free version up to 250 pins (non commercial use).· I wasted a year of my electronics life·using Eagle.· PLEASE stop wasting your life with EagleCAD.
  
  Really.
  ·
• Philldapill Posts: 1,283

  2009-01-18 06:51 edited 2009-01-18 06:51

  Never. I am an Eaglite(haha, pun intended).
  
  Sorry, just thought about that joke. I'm now considering standup.
• John Bond Posts: 369

  2009-01-20 11:40 edited 2009-01-20 11:40

  Thanks for the heads-up
  
  I’d recently moved away from Eagle to EasyCAD for all the reasons listed above and then some. I was tired of software that kept saying “Herr Domkoff, our vay you vill do it or not at all” and “Ze icon picture is not meant to show you what it does”. (By the way, it is quite dangerous criticising Eagle IN ANY WAY on this forum. Remember though that our goal is to build circuits, not become members of some secret sect worshiping some ancient god or antiquated software)
  
  EasyCAD is in a completely different league to Eagle but Diptrace looks like an even better alternative, Thanks
  
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• Carl Hayes Posts: 841

  2009-01-20 16:33 edited 2009-01-20 16:33

  I have used Easytrax in the past, wth success; and I now use ExprssPCB and ExpressSCH. I use them because I have them and have learned their use, not because of any particular opinions about what's best. Knowing only these two packages, I can't possibly have an intelligent opinion what's best.
  
  Can some knowledgeable person with wide experience post a comparison of various PCB layout software, based on features, ease of use, portability among PCB services, reliability, cost, etc.? It would be most useful to me, and perhaps to others, if based on actual information rather than on brand loyalties. Perhaps it ought to be a new thread. Thanks in advance.
  
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  · -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net
• Erik Friesen Posts: 1,071

  2009-01-20 17:15 edited 2009-01-20 17:15

  I used expresspcb for a while but was frustrated with its tracing and other misc. I bought a $145 version of diptrace and it didn't take long to be up to speed. I am not afraid to recommend it to others. You can try it free for 30 days.
  
  There are some threads here in the sandbox that go over some of the details of layout software. The consensus I took from it was that Eagle has a steeper learning curve but has better libraries. Diptrace is easy to use but doesn't have the extensive library support.
• Carl Hayes Posts: 841

  2009-01-20 18:05 edited 2009-01-20 18:05

  I have been pretty happy with ExpressPCB, but that may be only because I know no better. It does lack some features I should like to have, though.
  
  (1) I can't rotate a component except in multiples of 90 degrees. Sometimes I'd like to be able to rotate something, say, 45 degrees, or 30 degrees, in order to minimize lead inductance or for other reasons, perhaps (as now) because I'm building something that will feed six antennas arranged in a hexagon.
  
  (2) ExpressPCB cannot automatically check a layout against the corresponding schematic. By clicking on a pin, it can highlight each other pin that should be connected to the one clicked, which is very helpful -- but I must check visually to see if they're actually connected and that no other pin is accidentally connected.
  
  (3) ExpressPCB apparently cannot produce files (Gerber, for example) that are portable to other vendors. If I design under ExpresPCB, apparently I'm locked into that one vendor to fabricate the actual boards. That's not a major problem as I am happy with that vendor, but if they go out of business I'll be in deep yogurt.
  
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  · -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net
• Erik Friesen Posts: 1,071

  2009-01-20 18:23 edited 2009-01-20 18:23

  I can order 25 soldermasked and silkscreened 70mm x 60mm doublesided boards for around $130. That is reason enough not to be locked in.
  
  Diptrace will do the things you described above.
• Carl Hayes Posts: 841

  2009-01-20 18:48 edited 2009-01-20 18:48

  Erik Friesen said...
  I can order 25 soldermasked and silkscreened 70mm x 60mm doublesided boards for around $130. That is reason enough not to be locked in.
  
  Diptrace will do the things you described above.

  Mmmm -- I think I'd better check out Diptrace.
  
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  · -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net
• mynet43 Posts: 644

  2009-01-21 20:47 edited 2009-01-21 20:47

  Try DipTrace, you'll love it.
  
  I converted to it over a year ago. I've done quite a few boards and never had a problem.
  
  The Gerber files seem to work with any board house I've tried.
  
  Like most other layout programs, don't bother with the autoroute. It works but causes problems when you need different trace widths, etc.
  
  It's easy to make your own parts if you need them.
  
  Have fun.
• metron9 Posts: 1,100

  2009-01-22 07:57 edited 2009-01-22 07:57

  I have made many boards with Eagle. i just tried DipTrace and it looks great.
  
  One thing though. I cant seem to update the board file if I make a change in the schematic. i tried backannotate and looked in the help but I can't seem to update the existing board.
  
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  Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
  Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
  Think outside the BOX!
• mynet43 Posts: 644

  2009-01-22 21:08 edited 2009-01-22 21:08

  @ metron9
  
  There are three things you can do to solve this with DipTrace:
  
  1. Under the Verification Menu, select "Compare to Schematic".
  
  2. Under the File Menu, select "Renew Design from Schematic"
  
  3. From 2., choose either "By Components" or "By RefDes".
  
  I've used these quite often and they seem to work fine.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Jim
• metron9 Posts: 1,100

  2009-01-23 04:13 edited 2009-01-23 04:13

  Yes Number 1. Works for new traces. number 2,3 only put the new component in the board layout.
  
  thank's
  
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  Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
  Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
  Think outside the BOX!
• novarm44 Posts: 1

  2009-04-07 13:46 edited 2009-04-07 13:46

  Hi All,
  
  Starting from version 2.0.06 DipTrace offers new edition Non-Profit Lite, which is freeware for non-profit use and has the same limitation as Lite Edition (500 pins, 2 layers, $145 value). You can ask diptrace support and get registration key for this edition. There is no info about this on official web-site though.
  
  Regards