Basic Circuit Layout 1

[cessna7391]

Hi!!
I am new to circuit work and need a basic piece of software here at work to design boards. Mostly 2 layers boards but maybe as many as 3 or 4 layers. Suggestions??
Budget is an issue, preferrably less than $200!! Look forward to hearing ideas.

 

[uWaveFDL]

Try QuickCad ME version 8, it's about$60. By Autodesk. For an inexpensive program it does well. Check it out at site below.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/section/0,,137592-123112,00.html

 

[buzzp]

There are a number of freeware packages you can get. I haven't really used any except PADS when I was in college (old and hard). I think ProTel has a free package but I don't think it will do four layers. For $200, I do not know of any except maybe electronic workbench. I know the complete package of this (simulator, board layout, schematic capture) is around $900 so you might be able to get just the board layout for a little less. APcircuits in canada has some freeware for the downloading. Do a search and you will find it (web address at work). Good luck and please post how you liked what you decided to go with.

 

[electricuwe]

Look at my post in the following thread:
thread797-15135

 

[buzzp]

I just seen an ad for a package thats $199 it is at

http://www.cadsoftusa.com

It has apparently won some awards from some German magazines. They also have some freeware. Also check

http://www.mcad.com

 

[electricuwe]

I guess buzzp and myself a talking about the same product named eagle.

 

[buzzp]

Yes we are electicwue. Have you used it? I am in the market for an inexpensive package as well with schematic capture. How do you like it if you have it? Thanks

 

[electricuwe]

I am using eagle for several years now and I have experienced good and poor times with the product, but in general I guess it's worth the money. Cadsoft changed from DOS to Windows very late, compared to other software companies, and the first Windows based versions caused lots of trouble.

But now, to my mind the operating system based problems are over and eagle is again a powerful tool for electronic design.

I have used eagle during my time as research assistant at a well known european univerity and during that time I supervised lots of students desiging the boards for their diploma thesis. Judging from that experience eagle usage can be learned very easily.

I designed about half dozen double sized eurocards with up to four layers and lots of smaller boards with eagle. One major feature of eagle is, that it is possible to read even the files generated by versions several generations older without major problems.

In Europe the support supplied by Cadsoft is quite good.I received support via phone and email contact for the few problems I couldn't solve with the documentaion supplied. The users manual is a very small booklet which I think is a very good feature. Software which needs thousands of pages of documentation isn't well programmed. Further the forum at the cadsoft site contains lots of useful information.

 

[buzzp]

Thanks electricwue. I am not familar with 'Eurocard'. What does that mean? I noticed that terminology on their marketing literature as well. The only thing I know about that term is that it is a credit card or something in Europe.

 

[electricuwe]

For the electronics engineer an 'Eurocard' is a board sized 160*100 mm, an 'Double Eurocard' is a board sized 160*233,4 mm.

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Visit

http://www.eedesign.com/story/OEG20000217S0007

http://www.devrs.com/e/apps.php

etc. for more info

 

[gjones33]

I use the PROTEUS systems from Labcenter which are in modules that you can up-grade as the need arises. The basic modules which I believe will meet your specification are ISIS (Circuit diagram) and ARES (PCB artwork). Having tried and thrown away in disgust many more expensive packages, I can vouch for the PROTEUS modules.

Good luck G

http://www.labcenter.co.uk/

http://www.labcenter.co.uk/

 

[steveowens]

You can try expresspcb.com - it's free, but only they can make your PCB.

 

[Chancy99]

Regarding Eagle, one thing to keep in mind is the philosophy of the system, which is opposite to normal Windows programs.

In "normal" Windows programs, you would select objects, then perform actions on them. With Eagle, you select a mode/action, then start picking objects to act on. The systems itself works well, you just have to get used to it.

When you're not used to it, it's very easy to have the delete tool selected, and click in the workspace. In that case, it deletes the nearest object, which is probably not what you intended. You just have to remember to change to whatever mode you need.

Eagle has a very complete set of parts libraries. Copying parts between libs is a real pain though.

Choosing a design suite will really depend on what you want to design. You say mainly 2-layers, but maybe sometimes 4-layers. Do you want/need to do schematic design/capture to feed into pcb layout design ? Can you do your work just at the pcb layout level, without "real" schematics ? Do you need complete parts libraries with simulation models ?

If your designs get complex (heh, define THAT) you will find that a system that uses design rules to be a godsend. Unfortunately, that will probably break your $200 budget.

I would say to take a look at CircuitMaker 2000. I don't know the current price (probably too much) but I've used it before, and it has a nice easy interface, and does a great job of smaller projects. It will handle 4-layers just fine as I recall. It's put out by the same people (Altium) that do Protel 99SE / Protel DXP.

Dean.

 

[pebe]

In the UK, EASYPC is good.

 

[tiki]

I agree with chancy99, also tried it with several layout SWs, like OrCAD (older DOS versions), Protel, PADS, pCAD, EAGLE, Integra (german) and TARGET (german). I found out, that a low budget system cannot satisfy the requirements of a (professional) layout eng. All systems have their problems, but the better ones do not have the heavier ones. For my opinion, Integra was the best overall system (for ca. $5-10.000), but unfortunately, after the aquisition by Mentor Graphics, this system is not supported any longer. It is interesting, that not any user is willing to sell his license (tells something about the usability). A friend of mine does it with Orcad Schematic and pCAD Layout, both are DOS versions out of the late 80ies (also regarding to the existing libraries). Our layouts are of midrange complexity, biggest are "double euro" form factor.
tiki

 

[RidgPaul]

I use QuickCAD...2000 think it is...i have six layers in one file i'm working on, these layers are a double sided board(tracks)and a second single layer board(tracks) connected with soldered through-board standoffs, then some layers are notes and some are parts symbols/representations/layout.

I print positive transparencies directly out, which works well on right printer setting with good transparencies.

Good for starters.

For further info you can talk to me on MS messenger or email waterconservation@hotmail.com

Paul