aniruddha Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 What is artwork? (Is it same as PCB designing?)Which is the best freely available software on internet for pcb design / art work? Even a trial version (that'll work for few days) will do ... but it must have sufficient utilities.Also which is easy to learn and use in shortest possible time for a "dummy" , and which one would you suggest for a reeeal scholar ? ::)Please help me in anyway u can ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvs sarma Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Hi Aniruddha,Didi you try PCB123 .it is really nice. the software provider gets you the pcbs made as you order on him-- easy to learn-downloaduser manualit is not a demo version. you canpurchease as you need it try download here http://www.pcb123.com/pcb123download.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aniruddha Posted March 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Thanks for the suggestion mvs,but pcb123 was a bit tough especially on the "routing" part.Is there a software that can provide facility for auto-routing ?I had downloaded Dip-Trace but it was trial version and is now expired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Eagle is a pretty popular choice. It has an auto router built into it. There is a free version for hobbyists and student use. It won't expire and it is only limited to board size and number of pages for a schematic.Here is a link on our site to various PCB software packages including Eagle:http://www.electronics-lab.com/downloads/pcb/index.htmlMP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Actually, the newer cad programs are way beyond that. With error reporting, air wires, erc, drc and netlists, those of us who started with tape on vellum are seeing a completely new world. You don't have to know how to manually route a board any more. At least not for a hobbyist board. Just follow the prompts and warnings in the software.MP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aniruddha Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 the newer cad programs are way beyond that. Thanks for the support. Please could you also suggest a suitable site from where I could download such "newer cad" software-programs. It would be of great help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 Try the link in my post above. These are the most popular ones for the hobbyists.MP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gramo Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Proteus is unbelievable, supports PCB auto placement and routing (the auto routing tool is a shear dream, and can be configured too auto route in different ways)ISIS(part of Proteus) allows you too build the circuit and test your PIC/AVR/other programmable device in near real time in a complete virtual sim environment, you can throw in virtual instruments from DC volt meters to oscilloscopes too Virtual Terminals To test your circuit/design.Then Click "Ares" and choose the PCB packages for the components you have used, click auto place and auto route - done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Thanks MP, now I feal REALY old :'( I must still be using old cad as wellI am certainly a member of that club. ;DMP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aniruddha Posted March 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 gramo,Proteus is great but it ain't free.I had bought the ISIS PROFESSIONAL and ARES suites ..... the simulations are still working but the licence for the ARES has expired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aniruddha Posted March 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 The link given for EAGLE provides a "LITE EDITION" which doesn't allow auto routing.The scale provided in ARES is not valid for actual artwork ... it linked as per CNC ratings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 re: EagleIt should, unless they have recently changed something. When in the board layout screen, look for TOOLS, then submenu item AUTO on the bar at the top. You have the option to choose the direction of the traces for top and bottom or to only route on top or bottom.MP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvs sarma Posted March 21, 2007 Report Share Posted March 21, 2007 Aniruddha may appreciate that auto routing is NOT that effective unless the placement is opimum and the the software is really a wothy type. But again such items are obviouly priced HIGH and perhaps only High volue users and Idustries only can afford. One must accept that there is nothing to beat HUMAN BRAIN. Asd such we should leave the dream for auto routing (efective) be done with semi auto and manual methods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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