There are dozens of free PCB-layout and schematic packages available on the Web. Often they are stripped-down versions of more complex packages available for licensing. Often, the process of upgrading from freeware to more sophisticated versions is pretty easy.
DesignSpark PCB Software. From RS Components: Free from practical constraints on board size, pin counts, layers and output types, DesignSpark PCB circuit design software can be used for schematic capture, PCB design, layout an. PCBWay Nov 22,2013 2636 views. DesignSpark PCB Software. CircuitMaker is the best free-to-use schematic and PCB design tool for the Open Source Hardware community. CircuitMaker is not just a free EDA software tool from Altium, it’s also a community of creative people and design content, working together to invent circuits and electronics products for a better future.
If your circuit needs are generally confined to relatively straightforward two-layer boards, here are a few free packages worth considering.
A program called Eagle from Autodesk (previously by CadSoft Computer) serves as an example of what’s typical among free schematic/PCB packages. As with many free packages, there is also a licensed version of Eagle, and it is rather complex and involves time and dedication to become proficient. But like all such things, it can be mastered if you are methodical and motivated, and it is well worth the effort.
Eagle (Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor) lets users on Mac, Linux and Windows operating systems create electronic schematic diagrams, taking advantage of a large expandable and customizable library of components. You can stop there if the intent is to do schematics for print or to communicate your ideas to coworkers or students. Additional functions include translation of the schematic into a PCB layout with autorouting. PCBs may be saved as Gerber, Post Script, Excellon and Sieb & Meyer drill files, acceptable by many PCB fabrication companies.
Once called the Eagle Light Edition, the Eagle free download version is free. The limitations are not overly restrictive. For one thing, the maximum PCB size is 4×3.2 in. Larger sizes are sometimes needed, but for many applications this is ample. Also, no more than two layers are permitted.
In regard to schematics, a limitation on free use of the Eagle free download Edition is that one can create at most one sheet in a given project. This precludes the common practice of dividing a large design into separate schematics with links between sheets. The entire design has to be shown in a single schematic. The size of individual sheets is not limited, so this restriction is not an impediment. Commercial and for-profit use of the freeware is prohibited, so if this is a factor, a $70 commercial license is needed.
The Eagle program is organized within a useful control panel, and this is always the place to begin. You can access libraries of components, design rules specifying track spacing, and more advanced aspects of the program.
From the Eagle Control Panel, Libraries can be accessed and with the optional addition of third-party and user-generated images, a vast number of electronic component symbols become available. Under Projects, there are two all-important files, Schematic (extension is .sch) and Board Layout (extension is .brd). In working on a project, both of these need to be open simultaneously. As work progresses, each step is simultaneously saved in the two files. If they are not both open, they will become hopelessly out of synch, and then you will have to start over.
Third-party software, such as the Sparkfun and Adafruit libraries, can be readily installed.
The MultiSIM BLUE package was once available from the electronic distributor Mouser but has been discontinued. It was a free version of the MultiSIM software developed by National Instruments Inc. As of this writing, the least expensive version of MultiSIM is an educational edition that goes for a bit over $600.
Another free PCB program that often makes the top-10 lists is KiCad. This is an open-source software suite for Electronic Design Automation. The programs handle schematic capture and PCB layout with Gerber output. The suite runs on Windows, Linux and macOS and is licensed under GNU GPL v3.
KiCad is still actively supported. A new release came out earlier this year. The KiCad project is governed by a technical committee made up of the members of a lead development team. The program includes a library for schematic symbols and a built-in schematic symbol editor. It can create PCB layouts with up to 32 copper layers. It also has a push-and-shove router which is capable of routing differential pairs and interactively tuning trace lengths. Included as well is a 3D viewer which you can use to inspect designs by rotating and panning around to inspect details that are difficult to inspect on a 2D view.
It is common to find PCB manufacturers offer free schematic and PCB design software that automatically hooks into that vendor’s manufacturing parameters. That is the case with PCB maker ExpressPCB LLC and its ExpressSCH and ExpressPCB packages. The packages contain Component Manager dialog boxes for selecting components, many of which (such as connectors) include Digi-key part numbers. Drag each component to the desired location on the board. A Snap to grid feature aligns the parts. PCB traces are added by clicking on the pin of a component and dragging the trace to another pin.
If you link your schematic file to the PCB, then the ExpressPCB program highlights the pins that should be wired together in blue. The operator makes changes using standard commands such as Copy, Cut and Paste. Rearrange the parts by dragging them with the mouse. Traces always stay connected to their pins, even when you move things around.
Properties of items in the layout are set by double-clicking. For example, double-click on a trace to change its layer or width. Once a PCB layout is complete, the program tells you exactly how much it costs to have ExpressPCB make the boards.
PCB maker Sunstone Circuits offers a schematic/PCB design package called PCB123. One interesting point about this package is a feature called LiveBOM which claims to say whether or not specific parts on the board are in stock at Digi-Key.
Finally, there are numerous other PCB and schematic packages for free, and they are too numerous to mention them all. The website electroschematics.com reviewed eleven of them which it claims are the “Best of Free PCB Design Software.”
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The field of electronics have witnessed a lot of advances over time, and this has been key to the technological advances witnessed over time. One of the important elements that have made it possible to have relatively small gadgets is the tremendous improvement and refinement of PCB layout software applications. This makes it a division of electronics that is important to look at especially from the advances that it presents to the users.
Related:
Open Source PCB
Open Source PCB layout software, free download offers an exciting way for designing various PCB layouts and can be run on 1 to 16 copper layouts making it considerably powerful. At the same time, the software is able to use English as well as metrics making it versatile.
PCB Design Layout Software
PCB Design Layout Software is a great PCB layout software free. download full version that has capabilities that can hardly be matched by any other software in the market. The software features a comprehensive library and lots of components that make it very easy to develop any PCB layout.
DesignSpark PCB
DesignSpark PCB is easy to learn and use application for designing and implementing different PCB layout. It is arguably one of the most accessible software in the category and presents unmatched features. With this software, the user has access to over 80,000 online parts and thus making development quite smooth.
Other Platforms
Primarily, since most of the software available for this role require installation into the system, there is a need to consider the platform they ride on. In the following segment of the review, we will do this to highlight a software for each of the popular platform.
PCB Layout for Mac
PCB Layout is a PCB layout design software available for the users on the Mac platform to assist in designing of PCB layouts. Essentially, the software is a cross-platform and open source, and this makes it quite resourceful. The software is well detailed even offering a 3D view to make the design process effective.
PCB Droid for Android
PCB Droid is an exciting Android App to assist when it comes to developing PCB layouts. The App is quite detailed and allows the user to export the files to GERBER for professional application. At the same time, you can save your progress on the cloud meaning you will never lose the progress.
Express PCB CAD Software for Windows
ExpressPCB CAD Software is a free application that can be accessed by the users on the Windows platform. The software supports both PCB as well as schemas and thus it is considerably powerful. Also, the software is compatible with all the versions of Windows OS starting from XP to Win 10.
Most Popular Software for 2016 – Dip Trace PCB Layout
DipTrace is a leading PCB Layout software based on the features as well as on the number of users. The software features a schematic, PCB layout, and a 3D preview to present the developer with all the necessary information about the system. The company also offer high-level support to users. You can also see Electrical Plan Software
Free Pcb Layout Software Mac Os
What is PCB layout Software?
A PCB layout software is a piece of a computer program that can be used by electronics engineers as well as technicians to develop the layout of various PCBs. PCB is an acronym for the print circuit board, and they are responsible for the considerable smaller electronic gadgets. With the software in this category, the users are able to simulate various configurations and layouts of PCBs and thus concentrate on developing the most ideal. You can also see Electrical CAD Software
Free Pcb Design Software Mac Os X
Typically, PCB layout software applications also offer other capabilities especially schematic capture and 3D previewing. This is done in the spirit of enhancing the experience of the developers.The PCB layout software list is quite extensive and this being the case, it is not possible to sample all the software available for this purpose. The above-sampled software are some of the best available software, and thus they happen to be the most recommended.