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

[Ashlyn Black]

Hi Dana, welcome to Synth DIY!

I highly recommend KiCAD, it's what I started with and luckily I seem to 
have picked a winning horse in it, so-to-speak. CERN recently entered 
into a commercial support contract with KiCAD Services to continue 
funding its development. As far as I know It's the most popular 
open-source ECAD with many electronics distributors and hobbyists 
providing free symbols and footprints for download.

There's a great starter tutorial series available on Youtube called 
"Getting to Blinky 5.0"
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy2022BX6EspFAKBCgRuEuzapuz_4aJCn

KiCAD is up to version 7 at the moment but most of the content should 
still apply.


I'd also be happy to help with schematic capture if sent photos/scans.

- Ashlyn

On 13/5/24 06:39, 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?
>
> Dana
>
>
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