Homebrew PCBs

I have not used Kicad, or Diptrace for that matter (but may have
looked at it briefly).

One thing you must keep in mind is that only after real use can you
properly compare software.
If you try to compare a new package with something you have used for
many years it is not very fair.

Of course a particularly bad software with few features would stand
out, like comparing a tricycle to a car. But comparing similar cars
really reqires at least a good test drive (one project), to get a
useful assessment.

That disclaimer out of the way, I will lean far out of the window and
say that looking at the screenshots alone is seems to be one class
below Target and Eagle, which are in the same ballpark in terms of
features. (Mind that the Target/Eagle class is still tricycles in the
world of human transportation).

As long as it does everything you need, and you are not building a
base of designs and libraries for something of major importance (like
a business) there is no urgency to look for a replacement. If one of
the two conditions is met however I can only recommend to really put a
lot of time into selection, you _will_ pay for a bad choice.

ST

On Sat, Feb 13, 2010 at 10:42 PM, awakephd <a_wake@...> wrote:
> Stefan, have you ever used Kicad? I am curious how it compares to Eagle / Diptrace / Target. I have only ever used Kicad, and it has done everything I need, but I am very much still a beginner. Just wondering ...
>