>What is the best FREE Schematic & PCB Layout software available that
>will run on Windoze XP?
>
>I've looked at PCB123.com and Expresspcb.com and they have pretty good
>programs available. Unfortunately if I use either one I'm stuck getting
>the prototypes through them. (Because they won't output Gerbers)
>
>I've also looked at Eagle Layout at cadsoft.de, but the size limitation
>of 100 x 80mm on the free version is a negative. It would work for my
>current project.
>
>I'm just curious at what other people's opinions are.
I'm quite happy with Eagle (also on Linux). Don't underestimate the value of
a big component library and how important it is that you can create your own
components easily. For non-profit, there's a non-free but cheap version of
Eagle which will do full eurocard format (100x160). Eagle is also extensible
my user programs, there is such an 'ULP' to export to spice for simulation by
e.g. SwitchCadIII (I've never tried that though).
Mat Nieuwenhoven
Reply by Falk Brunner●June 7, 20052005-06-07
"Eric" <ericjohnholland@hotmail.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1118089616.876057.102010@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> I've also looked at Eagle Layout at cadsoft.de, but the size limitation
> of 100 x 80mm on the free version is a negative. It would work for my
> current project.
Eagle is nice. I used it for a lot of homebrew stuff. There is a software
called BAE, which is less limited and for only 49 Euro (AFAIK). But I did'nt
use it, just heard good comments about it.
Regards
Falk
Reply by Ian Bell●June 7, 20052005-06-07
Eric wrote:
> What is the best FREE Schematic & PCB Layout software available that
> will run on Windoze XP?
>
Define best.
Other than that try Eagles at cadsoft.com. Works on all platforms, has a
free version and an upgrade path.
ian
Reply by Eric●June 7, 20052005-06-07
Thank you for all your suggestions. I think Eagle is going to be the
best choice for me, and it sounds like people have had good success
with it.
Eric
And limits to only use pcbpool.com service...which is around
same price excluding shipping/vat as here in europe
including shipping/vat (o;
rick
Reply by ●June 7, 20052005-06-07
I use the free version of Target downloaded from
http://www.pcbpool.com/ppus/service_downloads.html
Which does up to six layers and and has no pin limit or board size
limit.
Ken
www.claymore-electronic.co.uk
Reply by Wing Fong Wong●June 7, 20052005-06-07
In comp.arch.embedded Eric <ericjohnholland@hotmail.com> wrote:
> What is the best FREE Schematic & PCB Layout software available that
> will run on Windoze XP?
>
Have you considered TinyCAD and FreePCB? Both open source and free.
--
Wing Wong.
Reply by Mac●June 6, 20052005-06-06
On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 21:30:33 +0000, Guy Macon wrote:
>
>
> Eric wrote:
>
>>What is the best FREE Schematic & PCB Layout software available that
>>will run on Windoze XP?
>>
>>I've looked at PCB123.com and Expresspcb.com and they have pretty good
>>programs available. Unfortunately if I use either one I'm stuck getting
>>the prototypes through them. (Because they won't output Gerbers)
>>
>>I've also looked at Eagle Layout at cadsoft.de, but the size limitation
>>of 100 x 80mm on the free version is a negative. It would work for my
>>current project.
>>
>>I'm just curious at what other people's opinions are.
>
>
> http://bach.ece.jhu.edu/~haceaton/pcb/
>
> http://pcb.sourceforge.net/
IME, pcb doesn't run that well on Windows.
--Mac
Reply by Brian Dean●June 6, 20052005-06-06
On Mon, Jun 06, 2005 at 01:26:56PM -0700, Eric wrote:
> What is the best FREE Schematic & PCB Layout software available that
> will run on Windoze XP?
>
> I've looked at PCB123.com and Expresspcb.com and they have pretty good
> programs available. Unfortunately if I use either one I'm stuck getting
> the prototypes through them. (Because they won't output Gerbers)
>
> I've also looked at Eagle Layout at cadsoft.de, but the size limitation
> of 100 x 80mm on the free version is a negative. It would work for my
> current project.
Eagle works well for me. I recommend to use the Lite version if the
size limitation is not an issue for your current project and if you
like it and all that it does, purchase the standard or pro version for
larger sizes and more than two layers. That's what I did and I am
happy with it. Its big plus for me was its support for Mac OS X and
(indirectly) FreeBSD Unix. I find it to be a very stable, solid,
package.
-Brian
--
Brian Dean
BDMICRO - ATmega128 Based MAVRIC Controllers
http://www.bdmicro.com/
Reply by Paul E. Bennett●June 6, 20052005-06-06
Eric wrote:
> What is the best FREE Schematic & PCB Layout software available that
> will run on Windoze XP?
>
> I've looked at PCB123.com and Expresspcb.com and they have pretty good
> programs available. Unfortunately if I use either one I'm stuck getting
> the prototypes through them. (Because they won't output Gerbers)
>
> I've also looked at Eagle Layout at cadsoft.de, but the size limitation
> of 100 x 80mm on the free version is a negative. It would work for my
> current project.
>
> I'm just curious at what other people's opinions are.
In terms of freely available downloads that are useful up to a level I
would suggest you have a look at VuTrax <http://www.vutrax.co.uk/>. If the
pin limit is too low for your needs the cost of upgrading to the next level
is quite reasonable. It is also available for Linux too.
--
********************************************************************
Paul E. Bennett ....................<email://peb@amleth.demon.co.uk>
Forth based HIDECS Consultancy .....<http://www.amleth.demon.co.uk/>
Mob: +44 (0)7811-639972
Tel: +44 (0)1235-811095
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