Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my applications
and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use other vendors when
the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.

John Tartar wrote:
Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard format.

It might be worthwhile to look at the various ports in the FreeBSD
CAD library. Chipmunk and electric are among them, though neither seems
to emphasise PCB layout. Perhaps there are other, more appropriate offerings.
http://www.freebsd.org/ports/cad.html is a reasonable place to start

Good luck,

bob prohaska

John Tartar wrote:
Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my applications
and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use other vendors when
the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.

My magazine column has been asking for similar recommendations for free
software.

ExpressPCB is an excellent deal for anyone who is not affected by its
restrictions (which I think are quite fair); but that doesn't help in
John's situation.

Someone recently recommended Kicad, a free open-source software suite
covering schematic entry, board layout, Gerber view and 3D views:

http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad

I haven't had time to explore beyond the web page, but would be very
interested in comments and evaluations.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

"John Tartar" wrote in message
. 70...
I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my applications
and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use other vendors when
the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.

If your volume gets higher you'll have the money to purchase software, right?

Of course, there are some pretty good 100% free options: KiCAD and gEDA being
the most well-known.

Advanced Circuits has some "free" software like ExpressPCB but you do have the
option of getting the real Gerbers (not just some proprrietary format) back
after your first order with them (see:
http://www.4pcb.com/index.php?load=content&page_id=46) -- this strikes me as
an entirely fair arrangement.

---Joel

John Tartar wrote:
Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my applications
and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use other vendors when
the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.

I'm using Eagle. I like it just fine. You can do 80x100mm 2-layer
boards for free, and the step up to bigger 4-layer boards is either $50
or $150 -- in either case it's cheap.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

"Joel Koltner" wrote in message
...

Of course, there are some pretty good 100% free options: KiCAD and gEDA
being the most well-known.

The Fedora project just released a custom Live CD oriented toward
electronics development. It includes gEDA, as well as kicad, so this is a
pretty painless way to try it out. hmmm ... I can't seem to find the
original link at fedoraproject, but a quick google shows dozens of places it
can be downloaded from ... google on "Fedora Electronic Lab"

...

John Tartar wrote in
. 70:

Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard
format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my
applications and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use
other vendors when the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.


Try gEDA -- free. Full suite of design software. Contain gschem to do
the schematic, then export to pcb [also in the package]. You can print
the layout 1:1 on a transparancy and make your own boards if you want.

Dr. G.

xpyttl wrote:
"Joel Koltner" wrote in message
...

Of course, there are some pretty good 100% free options: KiCAD and gEDA
being the most well-known.

The Fedora project just released a custom Live CD oriented toward
electronics development. It includes gEDA, as well as kicad, so this is a
pretty painless way to try it out. hmmm ... I can't seem to find the
original link at fedoraproject, but a quick google shows dozens of places it
can be downloaded from ... google on "Fedora Electronic Lab"
===========================
I found gEDA at one of the Mandriva Linux repositories ....excellent.
Tnx for the info.

The prog is highly likely also available at an Ubuntu Linux repository.

Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH

"Dr. Grok" wrote in newsx6_i.1105$OJ.401@trndny06:

John Tartar wrote in
. 70:

Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard
format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my
applications and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use
other vendors when the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.


Try gEDA -- free. Full suite of design software. Contain gschem to do
the schematic, then export to pcb [also in the package]. You can print
the layout 1:1 on a transparancy and make your own boards if you want.

Dr. G.


Thanks for all the suggestions. However, I should have mentioned that I'm
using Windows 98.

1) gEDA appears to be only for Linux & Mac.

2) I installed PCB artist, but thee's no component libraries, and the
prices for the small runs are about $100 higher than Express PCB

3) I'm not doing this for porfit, Ham radio is my hobby not my job, so
anything boards I make I will either give away, or sell at cost.

4) I'm off to try Eagle that Tim receomnded, 80x100mm 2 payer boards are
fine, all my designs are in PCB Expresses miniboard format.

John Tartar wrote:
"Dr. Grok" wrote in newsx6_i.1105$OJ.401@trndny06:


John Tartar wrote in
. 3.70:


Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard
format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my
applications and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use
other vendors when the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.


Try gEDA -- free. Full suite of design software. Contain gschem to do
the schematic, then export to pcb [also in the package]. You can print
the layout 1:1 on a transparancy and make your own boards if you want.

Dr. G.



Thanks for all the suggestions. However, I should have mentioned that I'm
using Windows 98.

1) gEDA appears to be only for Linux & Mac.

2) I installed PCB artist, but thee's no component libraries, and the
prices for the small runs are about $100 higher than Express PCB

3) I'm not doing this for porfit, Ham radio is my hobby not my job, so
anything boards I make I will either give away, or sell at cost.

4) I'm off to try Eagle that Tim receomnded, 80x100mm 2 payer boards are
fine, all my designs are in PCB Expresses miniboard format.

I have used Protel Autotrax downloaded from
http://www.altium.com/Community/Support/Downloads/
It is DOS program but works perfectly with Windows 98
It can generate gerber files (industry standard) and has no board size
limitation