[sdiy] What's the best freeware schematic capture and PCB layout software

[Gordonjcp]

On Sun, May 12, 2024 at 04:39:04PM -0400, tamedogs at wildcats.com wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I have a number of 45 year old blue line schematics that I want to capture
> on the computer before they disintegrate or fade away entirely from age.
> 
> Using search engine, I see a number of freeware schematic and PCB layout
> packages available.
> 
> Is the any consensus here as to what is the best software to use?
> 
>  
> 
> I downloaded the first package I came across (KiCad). I wonder if something
> else might be better.
> 
> Any thoughts?

There are a lot of good reasons for using Kicad, one of the main ones being that not only is the software open-source but the actual files are just plain text and fully documented. Even if somehow the software "went away" you could easily write something to output your files.

Generally I recommend that people learn Kicad by using it to make a copy of an existing circuit diagram and PCB layout, like maybe one of Yves Usson's designs, so that they can learn to drive the software before learning to lay out a circuit diagram or PCB. Given that you've already got the drawings right there, then just figure out enough of the software to draw it in.

I never get too hung up on getting the *exact* component into Kicad but I guess if I was doing computer-aided manufacturing I would. So, accordingly, all my opamps are TL071/2/4s, all my diodes are 1N4148s, and all my transistors are BC548/BC558. This more-or-less reflects reality, although obviously the transistors are different if I'm doing SMD.

-- 
Gordonjcp