Homebrew_PCBs

Hi All,

From what I have seen, there are a few free versions of software for
the hobbiest to do schematic layout, board layout, autorouting and
then Gerber file output.

I have not looked at what is available in a couple years, and it
appears that the major player is Eagle with WinQCad a distant second
and Protel back in the pack also.

If you are using one of the free versions, which do you use ? and
why ?


WinQCad has ...

Schematic Editor
Board Layout
Autoroute
Gerber output
limit of 499 pins
limit of 2.35" x 2.35"

upgrade is $120 USD to 500 pins, unlimited board size.


Can you offer similar details about your favorite program ?

Dave

Look at RIMU
http://www.hutson.co.nz/rimupcb.htm
$65.00 unlimited no auto router but good

also Pclogic
It does auto router no limit also has a lite ver very good deal the limits
on lite is no bmp output and emf output. but cheap
http://members.aol.com/atpclogic/index.html

there are demos of both of these.
both easy to use.
regards
victor

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2004 10:02 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Software comparisons


> Hi All,
>
> From what I have seen, there are a few free versions of software for
> the hobbiest to do schematic layout, board layout, autorouting and
> then Gerber file output.
>
> I have not looked at what is available in a couple years, and it
> appears that the major player is Eagle with WinQCad a distant second
> and Protel back in the pack also.
>
> If you are using one of the free versions, which do you use ? and
> why ?
>
>
> WinQCad has ...
>
> Schematic Editor
> Board Layout
> Autoroute
> Gerber output
> limit of 499 pins
> limit of 2.35" x 2.35"
>
> upgrade is $120 USD to 500 pins, unlimited board size.
>
>
> Can you offer similar details about your favorite program ?
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

I think Eagle is great.
Libraries are easy to extend and modify.
Autorouter helps a lot.
I like that I can write C like programs to do neat stuff with it, such
as generate g-code
(my program pcb-gcode is available from the cadsoft web site).
I have heard people complain about the user interface, but I find it
very usable.
You can also assign your own key combinations for commands, if you want.

Just an all around great package.

Regards,
JJ

On Saturday, May 1, 2004, at 10:02 AM, Dave Mucha wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> From what I have seen, there are a few free versions of software for
> the hobbiest to do schematic layout, board layout, autorouting and
> then Gerber file output.
>
> I have not looked at what is available in a couple years, and it
> appears that the major player is Eagle with WinQCad a distant second
> and Protel back in the pack also.
>
> If you are using one of the free versions, which do you use ? and
> why ?
>
>
> WinQCad has ...
>
> Schematic Editor
> Board Layout
> Autoroute
> Gerber output
> limit of 499 pins
> limit of 2.35" x 2.35"
>
> upgrade is $120 USD to 500 pins, unlimited board size.
>
>
> Can you offer similar details about your favorite program ?
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

You should add these to the Link under "PCB and CAD Programs".

Steve

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Victor Faria" <victorf57@c...>
wrote:

> Look at RIMU
> http://www.hutson.co.nz/rimupcb.htm
> $65.00 unlimited no auto router but good
>
> also Pclogic
> It does auto router no limit also has a lite ver very good deal the

limits

> on lite is no bmp output and emf output. but cheap
> http://members.aol.com/atpclogic/index.html
>
> there are demos of both of these.
> both easy to use.
> regards
> victor

On Sat, 1 May 2004 13:08:52 -0400, John Johnson <johnatl@...> wrote:

> I think Eagle is great.
> Libraries are easy to extend and modify.

"easy"? If you call that easy you have never seen a software that is easy
to use.

I agree it is useable, but certainly not convenient.

ST

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <alienrelics@y...>
wrote:

> You should add these to the Link under "PCB and CAD Programs".
>
> Steve

I plan to add these, and any more that I come across from the readers.

Currently Olimex offers a list of a few dozen packages, but no
information about them. That's why I'm hoping the list members will
comment.

Dave

>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Victor Faria"

<victorf57@c...>

> wrote:
> > Look at RIMU
> > http://www.hutson.co.nz/rimupcb.htm
> > $65.00 unlimited no auto router but good
> >
> > also Pclogic
> > It does auto router no limit also has a lite ver very good deal

the

> limits
> > on lite is no bmp output and emf output. but cheap
> > http://members.aol.com/atpclogic/index.html
> >
> > there are demos of both of these.
> > both easy to use.
> > regards
> > victor

Hello,

Note that pclogic supports 2 layer boards only at this point...

Ballendo

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <alienrelics@y...>
wrote:

> You should add these to the Link under "PCB and CAD Programs".
>
> Steve
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Victor Faria"

<victorf57@c...>

> wrote:
> > Look at RIMU
> > http://www.hutson.co.nz/rimupcb.htm
> > $65.00 unlimited no auto router but good
> >
> > also Pclogic
> > It does auto router no limit also has a lite ver very good deal

the

> limits
> > on lite is no bmp output and emf output. but cheap
> > http://members.aol.com/atpclogic/index.html
> >
> > there are demos of both of these.
> > both easy to use.
> > regards
> > victor

Actually, I have, I have an iMac!

Regards,
JJ

On Saturday, May 1, 2004, at 01:20 PM, Stefan Trethan wrote:

> On Sat, 1 May 2004 13:08:52 -0400, John Johnson <johnatl@...>
> wrote:
>
>> I think Eagle is great.
>> Libraries are easy to extend and modify.
>
> "easy"? If you call that easy you have never seen a software that is
> easy
> to use.
>
> I agree it is useable, but certainly not convenient.
>
> ST
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ---------------------~-->
> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark
> Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US &
> Canada.
> http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511
> http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/bGYolB/TM
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~->
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>