Post by thread:[EE]: Layout/schematic program

Thanks all for the suggestions and pointers. I've now figured out which PIC micro I'm going to use for my project. Although I've dabbled in all kinds of breadboarded circuits in my day, I've never tried to lay out a PCB nor have I used a schematic capture program. Can anyone recommend a schematic capture and/or autorouter for PCB layout - dual layer max - that won't break the bank but will still be useful? It'd be nice if it emitted the proper files so I could have a PCB manufacturing house draw it (Gerber files?). Thanks in advance! -->Neil ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neil Bradley There'd be no more N'Sync if everyone had guns. Synthcom Systems, Inc. ICQ #29402898 -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics

If you're not going to need a bunch, try http://www.expresspcb.com. Free software to lay out 2-sided boards. They do really nice work, though unfortunately I don't think the files their software produces are interchangeable with any other package. They have a newer service, qty 3 boards 2.5 x 3" for US$59 delivered, if I recall correctly. On Sat, 24 Mar 2001, Neil Bradley wrote: {Quote hidden}> Thanks all for the suggestions and pointers. I've now figured out which > PIC micro I'm going to use for my project. > > Although I've dabbled in all kinds of breadboarded circuits in my day, > I've never tried to lay out a PCB nor have I used a schematic capture > program. > > Can anyone recommend a schematic capture and/or autorouter for PCB layout > - dual layer max - that won't break the bank but will still be > useful? It'd be nice if it emitted the proper files so I could have a PCB > manufacturing house draw it (Gerber files?). > > Thanks in advance! > > -->Neil > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Neil Bradley There'd be no more N'Sync if everyone had guns. > Synthcom Systems, Inc. > ICQ #29402898 > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics > (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics > > --- The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..." -- Isaac Asimov -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

> Thanks all for the suggestions and pointers. I've now figured out which > PIC micro I'm going to use for my project. > > Although I've dabbled in all kinds of breadboarded circuits in my day, > I've never tried to lay out a PCB nor have I used a schematic capture > program. > > Can anyone recommend a schematic capture and/or autorouter for PCB layout > - dual layer max - that won't break the bank but will still be > useful? It'd be nice if it emitted the proper files so I could have a PCB > manufacturing house draw it (Gerber files?). > Thanks in advance! Try Eagle. For small boards it can be free. And the cost of a commercial version is very reasonable. The big pain I've dealt with is finding the parts in the library, and I understand the new version helps with this. Bob Ammerman RAm Systems (contract development of high performance, high function, low-level software) -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Neil Bradley wrote: > > Can anyone recommend a schematic capture and/or autorouter for PCB layout > - dual layer max - that won't break the bank but will still be > useful? It'd be nice if it emitted the proper files so I could have a PCB > manufacturing house draw it (Gerber files?). Neil, Try Cadint at http://www.cadint.com . They have a free version which, aside from maximum pin count, is identical to their professional versions (easy upgrade). The integration between their schematic capture and PCB layout is the best I've ever seen (and I've seen a few). They have a Gerber output which is practically automatic (about three mouse clicks if you accept their defaults). Best of all, they now have a terrific manual. Cadint is the successor to EE Designer which was one of the best PC layout packages on the market ten years ago (opinion of several professional PC layout people I've worked with). Best of luck, Dave -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spam_OUTlistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

At 09:04 PM 3/24/01 -0800, Neil Bradley wrote: >Thanks all for the suggestions and pointers. I've now figured out which >PIC micro I'm going to use for my project. > >Although I've dabbled in all kinds of breadboarded circuits in my day, >I've never tried to lay out a PCB nor have I used a schematic capture >program. > >Can anyone recommend a schematic capture and/or autorouter for PCB layout >- dual layer max - that won't break the bank but will still be >useful? It'd be nice if it emitted the proper files so I could have a PCB >manufacturing house draw it (Gerber files?). Here is a re-post from a few weeks ago: Good day to all. I just got the most recent update to my CAD package and now see that there is a limited but fully functional free version available. There is a bit of a learning curve associated with it but it generates excellent schematics and board layouts. The package is called 'CADINT' and is available from web sites in both the USA and Europe. The US web site is http://www.cadint.com ; the European site is http://www.cadint.se . The free / demo version is limited to 250 pins (layout) and manual routing only. It is about 13 MB in size but is also available on CD. My history with this package dates back to the early '80's when it was known as EE Designer. Although I have tried several other packages, Cadint and EE Designer are what I use to generate the layouts and schematics for my company's products. I don't want this to come off sounding like an advertisement - I don't have a vested interest other than as a very long time user. I haven't mentioned this before during all the other CAD threads because, at US $4000 for the version that I have, its just way too expensive for most users. But now that I see that they are offering a 250 pin version for free, its just too good a deal to keep quiet about. In a nutshell: 250 pins - downloaded: free 250 pins - shipped on CD: $10 non-commercial - 500 pins: $90 Other variants are available. I hope this helps someone out there. dwayne Dwayne Reid <.....dwaynerKILLspam@spam@planet.eon.net> Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax Celebrating 17 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2001) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address. This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email. -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listservKILLspammitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body