It was big question for the beginners how to choose a PCB design software ? which one is easy to get started?? and which software is more efficient??. I have listed some mostly used PCB design software's and their features and limitations.hope this will help you.
1.
EAGLE PCB
The name EAGLE is an acronym, which stands for
“EASILY APPLICABLE GRAPHICAL LAYOUT EDITOR”. This software offers user
friendly, powerful and affordable solutions for PCB design, including schematic
capture board layout and auto router. User language programs enable features
such as simulation and 3D visualization.
You can get EAGLE freeware version and full version
here.
Limitations:
The following limitations apply to the free version
1. The board size is 100x80 mm (4x3.2 in).This is
common to all other freeware PCB design software’s with small variations in the
size.
2. Only two signal layers can be used.
3. The schematic editor can only create one sheet.
4. Use is limited to non-profit or evaluation
purpose.
Apart from these limitations EGLE free version can
do anything what a professional edition can do…..
2.
EXPRESS PCB
It has two parts EXPRESS PCB for PCB design and
EXPRESS SCHEMATIC for schematic design. It was very easy to design a PCB in
this software. I recommend this for beginners. It does not have large no of
library components. But we can make the custom components easily if we have the
datasheets of any components. It was available freely for downloading. For more
details about EXPRESS PCB follow the previous post …
3.
Pad2Pad
Pad2Pad is free PCB design software. This software also easy one for who
are new to the PCB design. Auto routing and manual routing and checking are
possible in this software. They are also manufacturing your PCB design; you can
manufacture your board by clicking place order icon.
4.
PCB Artist
It is a fully integrated schematic capture and free PCB
layout software. PCB Artist has huge library components. PCB Artist runs under
windows operating systems but windows XP or VISTA is recommended. Windows 95 or
earlier, Linux MAC OS are nor currently supported.The beginners will find it
was not easy but if they get little experience it is very useful software.
5.
PCB123
The latest version of PCB Design software has an
intuitive CAD interface that lets you create new PCB designs quickly; offering
freedom and flexibility in your schematic and layout editing.PCB123 has library
of 50,000 fully designed, fully qualified parts that are ready for design makes
the most ready to use parts anywhere. The special features are automated bill
of materials, new data importer and updated parts selection window.
- 500,000 New Parts: Improved search functionality with complete access to parts libraries (Powered by Accelerated Design)
-
Data
Sheet Availability: Research in ‘real-time,’ parts availability
from Digi-Key® - Automated BOM (Bill of Materials): For ease in purchasing and assembly
- New Data Importer: Gain efficiency by importing DXF files and removing tedious pain-points that slow down the design process.
- Updated Parts Selection Window: View additional information about your selected symbol and footprint.
- Enhanced Schematic Editor: Making the design capture easier and more efficient.
6.
Free PCB
Free PCB is a free, open source PCB editor for
Microsoft windows, released under the GNU General Public License. It was
designed to be easy to learn and use yet capable of Professional quality work.
It does not have an auto router but it can use the free route web based auto
router at www.freerouting.net
.
New Features
- 1 to 16 copper layers
- Board size up to 60 inches by 60 inches
- Uses English or metric units (i.e. mils or mm) for most functions.
- Footprint libraries courtesy of Ivex Design International, PCB Matrix and the IPC.
- Copper fill areas
- Footprint Wizard and Footprint Editor for creating or modifying footprints
- Imports and exports PADS-PCB netlists
- Exports extended Gerber files (RS274X) and Excellon drill files
- Design rule checker
- Auto save
7.
Diptrace
Diptrace is professional and easy-to-use PCB Design
software with powerful auto router. It has the following features.
PCB
Layout — PCB designs with an
easy-to-use manual routing tools, shape-based auto router and auto-placer.
Schematic — Schematic Capture with multi-level hierarchy and
export to PCB Layout, Spice or Netlist.
Component
and Pattern Editors — allow
you to make new parts and footprints.
Standard
Libraries - include 100,000+
parts.
3D
PCB Preview - shows your
design in 3D. 2500+ package 3D models are supplied with the program.
Import/Export
Features - allow you to
exchange designs and libraries with other EDA tools.
Step-by-Step
Tutorial - learn the software
and start real work in a few hours.
Full
featured 30-day trial and 300-pin Freeware versions are available for evaluation.
Special
Discounts for non-profit users
and education.
8. Cadence OrCAD PCB Editor
Cadence
OrCAD is not only PCB designing tool. Cadence OrCAD PCB Editor is more professional than others. It offers a proven, scalable, easy-to-use PCB editing and
routing solution that grows as needed. The new release adds design capability
with features such as full 3-D viewing of the design, “flip-board”
viewing/editing, and new DRCs. Tight,
front-to-back application integration increases productivity and ensures data
integrity. A comprehensive feature set and a seamless PCB design environment
delivers a complete solution to take a design from concept to production. It has many
packages including
OrCAD
FPGA System Planner:
Provides a complete, scalable solution for FPGA-PCB co-design that allows users to create an optimum correct-by-construction pin assignment....
Active Parts Portal:
Automates the process of part selection and extends the reach of engineers. APP is FREE for users on the most current releases of OrCAD Capture CIS....
OrCAD Capture and Capture CIS:
Offers full-featured schematic editing for fast, intuitive design capture with hierarchical and variant capabilities. Component information system (CIS) promotes use of preferred, current parts to accelerate the design process and reduce project costs.....
OrCAD Signal Explorer:
Enables pre- and post-layout signal integrity analysis and topology design/exploration at any stage of the design cycle improving circuit reliability and performance to reduce prototypes and re-spins....
OrCAD PCB Designer:
Offers a proven, scalable, easy-to-use PCB editing and routing solution. Delivers a comprehensive feature set and seamless PCB design environment to take designs from concept to production......
PSpice A/D and Advanced Analysis:
Provides simulation of analog/mixed-signal circuits as well as analysis for by determining which components are over-stressed and component yields. Full integration with OrCAD Capture improves productivity and data integrity...
Provides a complete, scalable solution for FPGA-PCB co-design that allows users to create an optimum correct-by-construction pin assignment....
Active Parts Portal:
Automates the process of part selection and extends the reach of engineers. APP is FREE for users on the most current releases of OrCAD Capture CIS....
OrCAD Capture and Capture CIS:
Offers full-featured schematic editing for fast, intuitive design capture with hierarchical and variant capabilities. Component information system (CIS) promotes use of preferred, current parts to accelerate the design process and reduce project costs.....
OrCAD Signal Explorer:
Enables pre- and post-layout signal integrity analysis and topology design/exploration at any stage of the design cycle improving circuit reliability and performance to reduce prototypes and re-spins....
OrCAD PCB Designer:
Offers a proven, scalable, easy-to-use PCB editing and routing solution. Delivers a comprehensive feature set and seamless PCB design environment to take designs from concept to production......
PSpice A/D and Advanced Analysis:
Provides simulation of analog/mixed-signal circuits as well as analysis for by determining which components are over-stressed and component yields. Full integration with OrCAD Capture improves productivity and data integrity...
9. Proteus
System components
- ISIS Schematic Capture - a tool for entering designs.
- PROSPICE Mixed mode SPICE simulation - industry standard SPICE3F5 simulator combined with a digital simulator.
- ARES PCB Layout - PCB design system with automatic component placer, rip-up and retry auto-router and interactive design rule checking.
- VSM - Virtual System Modelling lets cosimulate embedded software for popular micro-controllers alongside hardware design.
- System Benefits Integrated package with common user interface and fully context sensitive help.
The new version Proteus Design Suite Version 8 has the following features
·
A new application framework lets you
view modules of Proteus as tabs in a single window or, via drag and drop, as
separate windows for a side-by-side view
·
A new common parts database enables
sharing of information between schematic and PCB so that changes to data are
instantly reflected across the software.
·
A new live netlist means changes to
connectivity in the schematic can be instantly reflected in the PCB, the Bill
of Materials and the Design Explorer.
·
The new integrated VSM Studio IDE
binds your firmware project to your schematic design and Active Popups bring
the schematic into your VSM Studio debug session.
10.
Design Spark
Features:
·
DesignSpark
PCB supports importing of Eagle CAD design files, circuit diagrams and
libraries.
·
In
addition to extensive libraries, sophisticated part creation wizards make it
easy to design new parts from scratch or by amending downloaded symbols and
footprints. Bill of Materials (BOM) report can also be generated at any time.
·
New
library
interface that links to their ModelSource database, with
instant access to over 80,000 footprints and symbols.
·
New
BOM Quote
service allows instant access to on-line component quoting, directly
from DesignSpark PCB application.
·
DesignSpark
PCB is based on community feedback and all software development, enhancements
and new features derive from your comments, design work and experiences you
share with other members.
There is lot of PCB design software’s
are available on the net freely like GEDA, Zenith PCB, Tiny Cad, KICAD SCORE,
Minimal PCB Editor etc…..Before use anyone of the above PCB design software,
you must read the tutorials about that software or read some guides provided in
their website and help section. Some software has video tutorials in their
websites. The beginners also read the tutorials like How to design the PCB’s.
The beginners can use EAGLE PCB, Express PCB, Pad2Pad, because they are easy to
get started than most other PCB design software’s.
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We have listed a few mainly utilized PCB pattern software's and also their own features and also limits. wish this kind of will assist you to.
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