Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "sheldon_mp_cooper" <bigbazinga@...> wrote:
> And on the KiCAD page, I see no mention of board size limitations.  Is that correct?

Yes, that is correct, and it is one of the major reasons I went with KiCAD from the start. No limitations whatsoever ... and I like the FOSS philosophy!

I have not used other programs at all, so I don't know how much easier or harder KiCAD is to learn. I do agree that there is a bit of a learning curve, but it didn't take too long; IIRC, I was up and going within a day. Be sure to work through the very helpful tutorial(s) available on-line.

There are also a number of libraries available on-line, but like Stefan, I usually just make my own parts, and my own package outlines (these are separate in KiCAD -- you can use, for example, a 74LS part, and then separately decide whether it will be 14-pin DIP or SMD or ???) It is quick and easy to make your own parts and packages, and this lets me specify exactly what I want in terms of pad sizes, silkscreen placement, etc. Once you've designed a part and/or package, save it in a library and use it from then on.