looking for PCB creating software

[Teravolt]

I am hopping some one can help me, I have been using expressPCB but there boards are expensive. before I spend money on a license for eagle I am hopping some one has good ideas. I would like to use the chine's fab housed to do prototyping and be able to create gerbers. Right now I am doing hand solder prototypes witch I am fine with but it takes a lot time. Any advice would be appreciated.

[profdc9]

Look at KiCad

http://kicad-pcb.org/

It's free and what I used to make the PCBs in the DRSSTC pack.  It's autorouting is limited, but for simple projects it works just fine.

Dan

[Mads Barnkob]

I also used expressPCB for the last 10 years, simply because its so easy, but ordering boards from anyone than expressPCB is not possible, I even tried to some file converter programs to get gerber files, but it did not work to an extend I was satisfied with, still a lot of manual work to correct afterwards.

So I also started using kicad, takes a while to learn and I am still a rookie at it

[Teravolt]

thanks profdc9 I down loaded Kicad and there is a little bit of learning curve I just need to find the time. like Mads I have been using express pcb for  years because it is easy I am also trying express pcb Plus. I am also trying to use the free low cut version of Eagle 9.0.1 witch also has a bit of a learning curve but I read on the net that you can get Gerbers from eagle that houses like 4pcb will accept. there is a procedure for doing that. the hook about express pcb is that it is very user friendly among other things.

[oneKone]

I've used easyeda for a few simple circuits, it's web-based but it gets the job done. In all honesty I think I might go with profdc9 recommendation and try kicad

[profdc9]

It's true that there's a little bit of a learning curve with Kicad, though its not too bad.  It's open source though, so at least you'll be assured you can continue to use it once you put the time into learning it.

Dan

[Teravolt]

has anybody tried designspark

https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-software

[flyrod]

Check out oshpark:

http://docs.oshpark.com/services/

Using a crippled/free version of eagle, I drew up what a wanted.  Then I uploaded the file to oshpark and a few days later I received 3 nice boards in the mail.



I've done this a few different times now and it's pretty amazing to me that it's so easy to get custom made boards for prototyping.

[Teravolt]

Thanks flyrod, for the recommendation, the prices look good. I will look into eagle as well I just need give them a test drive. It is hard to get into it when I have a couple of projects going on but I will endeavor. designspark looks good to and it is widely supported by places like sparkfun.

[MattyLada]

Hi..as per my knowledge DesignSparkPCB has just about all of the chips that RS Components sells in it plus easy to make your own components. Any size board and any number of pins or pages can be used too. Don't know the layer limit off hand. Plus Gerber files too.

quick-turn pcb assembly

[Teravolt]

thanks Flyrod how much were your PCB's if I might ask and how many SQ in. I think that 100$ isn't to bad for a license for eagle. are you using the free download and have you tried any others

[flyrod]

My boards so far have just been gate drive circuits with all the large components off-board.  So they're around $1 each to my mailbox.

I'm using a version of eagle for macOS.  There are newer versions available, but the one I have works for what I needed.  I think it has a limit on how big a board you can draw without paying.  I can just upload the eagle file straight to the ohspark web site to order boards.

[Teravolt]

thanks I will give it a try

[station240]

has anybody tried designspark

https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-software

Been using DesignSpark for about a year now, as a replacement for Eagle after the buy out broke a lot of my libraries.
Use it with Library Loader, which is part component database website, part conversion software.

Free + no limitations for what I'm doing with it.

One neat trick I only just found, you can copy paste whole PCB designs between projects. So no need for panelization software.

[RocketScienceSmurf]

I just gave DesignSpark a try following the need to make an arduino proto shield but I can't for the life of me figure out how the program works. I find it close to impossible that I am the first/only one that need to design an arduino shield and that there are no templates I can use???

[Teravolt]

I have also found it to not be straight forward. there are some YouTube videos on how to set it up. I just have not got around to it.  let me know how far you get with YouTube. Most of these programs require a leaning curve. you may also want to try eagle

[L_Mangold]

I wanted to try using Eagle, but I foolishly bought a google laptop to save money and I don't plan on buying a new PC laptop anytime soon. I was using easyEDA, but there are some glitchy aspects to it that are not very intuitive or easily solved by referencing the tutorial, some I'm thinking of trying something else that is also compatible with ChromeOS.