[sdiy] Pcb layout software - what do you use?

[Joe Grisso]

I use either Mentor's PADS PowerPCB or Cadence Allegro. Both are
wonderful tools, but they'll set you back by a stack of high society
(US$10K) or so. We've got floating licenses for each where I work.
Although for that much cash, I might consider picking up a copy of
Altium Designer - it includes schematic capture, simulation, PCB
layout, signal integrity analysis, and autorouting for the same price.
Plus for a bit more they have FPGA integration so you can do things
like edit your HDL file and have it automatically update the ratsnest
in the PCB program to see how it will affect layout.

-Joe

On 12/20/06, ezion <ezion67 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I use Ultiboard, now part of the Multisim package, Note there is a
> nice freeware version out! See:
> http://www.electronicsworkbench.com/products/proprod_dl.html
>
> Simulation and the auto-router have a time limit but the capture and
> board-layout keep working till the end of times.
> Limitations are only two layers, 50 parts and 750 pins. They say
> otherwise its the most expensive version. Didn't try this freebie
> package but if true, the board-layout also includes mechanical layers
> for technical drawings (DXF), 3D preview, in place footprint editing
> and other cool stuff.
>
> Cheers
> Theo
>