Software

So, you've got a design idea and you've breadboarded it or put it on a protoboard to confirm that it works.  Great!  The next step is to lay out the design as a circuit board.  You'll use a software application to layout the design and generate files. There are dozens of different software packages to chose from: They tend to fall into 3 groups.

Free, Proprietary

ExpressPCB (click to enlarge)

The first software package I used was ExpressPCB.  It's free, easy to use, and it's integrated with their PCB prodution service, so you can order prototypes right from the application.  Advanced Circuits has a similiar version: PCB Artist.  You can't beat the price and ease of use, but there are a few downsides;

• Vendor Lock.  These software packages output proprietary file formats that can't be used by other vendors to produce PCB's.  This is pretty limiting if you're thinking of doing production runs.
• Features.  These software packages have PCB design applications and schematic applications, but don't offer more advanced features like autorouting or auto-mitering.  You also can't do things like use Truetype fonts on your silkscreen.

One note:  After you place a prototype order with ExpressPCB, they can send you Gerber files of your design for a small charge ($60) - you just need to email them with your order number indicating that you approve of the charge.

Enthusiast

DipTrace (click to enlarge)

This set of software has a lot more features, and allows export to a standard format.  Two that come to mind are DipTrace and Eagle, and both have limited freeware versions: DipTrace's freeware version is limited to 250 pins, Eagle's freeware is limited to a 4"x3.2" board.

Enthusiast level software packages include a lot of nice features to make board design easier, and your designs look more professional.  Most importantly, both allow you to export your design to commonly used file formats.

I use DipTrace - I've tried Eagle a few times, but the interface isn't very intuitive to me.  Eagle seems to be the most popular package, though, so  I suggest you give both a try and see which you prefer.

These enthusiast level software packages aren't required to make circuit boards, but they do make it easier.  Use one of these packages for your first design - it will take you about a day to figure out how to use it, but the investment is well worth it.  The freeware version will probably be just fine for your design, and they offer features that you will come to appreciate with future designs.

High End

There are a few high end, $1,000 + software packages (Pulsonix, Cadstar, and many others).  They offer very sophsticated routers, FPGA integration, and a bunch of other features.  I can't say a lot about these because I've never need them, but I'm sure they're pretty cool.

Stay tuned for Part III:Boards & Files!

Comments (1)

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EM

December 15, 2009

133.6.43.129

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Software is nice, but if you're using a mac like me (through no choice of my own), then your scope for choice is very limited.
As far as I can tell, the only pcb-designing software for a mac is eagle, and this might go some way to explaining it's popularity too.

The reality is that LOTS of people use a mac (although it beats me why), and until vendors realise that hobbists do, then they're shooting themselves in the foot.

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