PCB layout software!

[McIntosh, Malcolm]

Sorry this is long.   :-/

Well,  The online information on the FREEWARE version on EAGLE Layout Editor
at CadSoft (http://www.CadsoftUSA.com/) is as follows:

<	The useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches). 
<	Only two signal layers can be used (Top and Bottom). 
<	The schematic editor can only create one sheet. 
<	Support is only available via email or through our forum (no fax or
phone support). 
<	Use is limited to non-profit applications or evaluation purposes. 

And here is some information on the DEMO version (which is different than
the FREEWARE version):

<	The demo version which we have been offering so far (and which is
still available)
<	allows you to handle boards and schematics without the
aforementioned limitations.
<	So if you want to see how EAGLE can handle large boards, you can use
the demo
<	version to do so. However, the demo version cannot save files ....

OK, I confess, I actually have not tried to set up a board larger than 4" X
3.2" (101.6 mm X 81.28 mm) with the FREEWARE version.  Also, I have not
downloaded and tried to actually save a file with the DEMO version.

To register the FREEWARE version for commercial applications cost $49 US.
The Standard Edition costs $199 US per module and the Professional Edition
cost $399 US per module (layout editor module, schematic editor module and
autorouter module)

It seems to be really good software, but to get to unlimited board sizes I
have to pay allot of money.  I only need the power of the FREEWARE version
but I need the board size of the Professional Edition.  So, that's why I
chose "PCB Development Tools".  The $49 version of this software has
limitations too: 15 X 15 inch (380 x 380 mm)  board size, 1500 lines and
1000 pads.

I truly don't know because I am new at this but, is 1500 lines and 1000 pads
enough?

malcolm

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	buchi at dci.de [SMTP:buchi at dci.de]
> Sent:	Wednesday, January 13, 1999 3:19 AM
	To:	synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl 
> Subject:	Re: No PCB layout software!
> 
> >Cost: $50 US.  The Eagle stuff looked good to, but I need boards larger
> than
> >X by Y.
> 
> in Eagle, you can set the PCB board size to anything you want, even
> irregular (non-rectangular) shapes are possible !
> 
> 
> -Michael Buchstaller