No PCB layout software! (plus Mac info)

[Steve Varner]

Firstly, let me say that I don't use any layout software. Most analog
modules are pretty basic. I played around for days with some software and
got really frustrated. I just want to put a chip or two and a handful of
resistors and the odd transistor and capacitor on a small board (10x15cm,
4x6"). Most software has several layers, color, and a complex interface. I
can lay out a board from a simple schematic in much less time than I can
fiddling with software. I use Barry Klein's method. I lay out the standard
parts on 0.1 inch (2.5mm) engineering (graph) paper. Resistors for instance
are 0.5 inch from hole to hole. I lay all chips with + and - buses running
under the chips. It's like a puzzle, fun!
I tape the paper onto the PC board (with clear tape covering the design). I
use my Dremel Moto tool on its drill press ($45 for the press from
Micro-Mark plus some special small-bit chucks and bits) to drill the holes.
I take off the drawing, flip it upside-down and use it as a guide to draw
the traces on the copper side using a Sharpie pen. Etch and you're done!

As for Macintosh software, look at:

Douglas Layout Freeware
http://www.douglas.com/

PCBWarrior
ftp://ftp.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/pub/packages/PlatoonPCB/


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Reverend bluE wrote:

> Rob wrote:
> > EAGLE PCB is the easiest and the best and has a full working demo
> > version.. wonderful software..
>
> and I inquire:
>
>  is this for PC?  (it probably is, so on to my next q)  is there any PCB
> design software for Macs?
> -ben