cad pcb software

[ME]

I have been using eagle autocad, i am sick of havng to logon online t use it , I want to try something else, There are lots of choices, What is package is free to use and recomended?.

[PGPG]

I have never heard of lots of choices.
For me the only choice was KiCad and in 2017 I decided that it becomes to be better than used by me commercial program - Protel 3 (bought in 1997).
In 2017 (V5 those time) it, in some aspects was better in other worse. Now (I use V8) I see no more important problems with KiCad.
I use V8 as very new V9 (as always after releasing new version) is very buggy. Soon 9.0.1 is expected with about 150 bugs (information given at forum by one developer, if I'm not mistaken) fixed.
I plan to upgrade to V9 when 9.0.3 will be relased.

KiCad is now developed very fast. It happened to me few times that reported by me bug was fixed the same day and the day later I was able to download so called "Test" version with this bug fixed. Test versions are generated daily. Night versions (development of next version) are also generated daily.

[Benta]

+1 for KiCAD. I'm on V8 as well.

[ArchieAltz]

+1 for KiCAD

[ebingaming]

KiCAD's really nice! Been using them for almost 2 years now. Created full projects with it and have complete PCB boards produced and assembled using its exports.

[Solder_Junkie]

The only “problem” with KiCad is learning to use it 

I started making PCBs by drawing the tracks on paper, sticking the paper on a piece of PC board, drilling the holes, then join the holes with tracks using a Dalo etch resist pen.

These days I still design PCBs in a similar fashion, using Sprint Layout by Abacom (about 49 euros). KiCad requires a more professional approach… I just wish I had the time and patience to to get to grip with KiCad.

SJ

[Benta]

The only “problem” with KiCad is learning to use it 

I started making PCBs by drawing the tracks on paper, sticking the paper on a piece of PC board, drilling the holes, then join the holes with tracks using a Dalo etch resist pen.

These days I still design PCBs in a similar fashion, using Sprint Layout by Abacom (about 49 euros). KiCad requires a more professional approach… I just wish I had the time and patience to to get to grip with KiCad.

SJ

I'd rephrase that to:
The only "problem" with KiCAD is that you should use it in a disciplined way.
Kludging together a PCB won't work, you do need to do the schematic first. Otherwise MS Paint is the better option.

[Picuino]

One more vote for the wonderful and open-source KiCad!


https://www.kicad.org/

[timeandfrequency]

Hello ME,

Splan8 is a basic yet powerful electronic CAD software.
You can also use it as a general purpose 2D vector drawing software.
Learning time : I would say 1 hour

See the schematics drawn with Splan by Cyrob (in the list on the left, click on 'Montages').

Video 'Cyrob : présentation sPlan8.0 d'Abacom'  (engligh subtitles available)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?   v=jrmqCNzE4Wk  (edit the URL by removing the space characters).

For PCB artwork drawing, the same editor sells Sprint layout for a reasonable price.
Learning time is also about one to two hours.
Both software are independant, do only need a vanilla PC and do not provide any netlist feature.

Demo versions without the save feature are available here for free.

Update
Gerber export compatible with numerous PCB manufacturers :
JLCPCB, PCBWay, Leiterplatten-Lippmann,  AISLER, Fischer Leiterplatten GmbH, ANTTRONIC, PCB-Pool / Beta-Layout, Loch Leiterplatten GmbH, Q-PCB, LeitOn (Leiterplatten-Online), PCB-Center by M&V Leiterpl.,  IBR Leiterplatten, Steimer Leiterplatten GmbH, Multi CB, Leiterplatten Nord GmbH, ätzwerk GmbH, MME-Leiterplatten, Platinenbelichter, GK-Leiterplattenservice, NCAB Group

[shabaz]

KiCad learning curve has been low ever since version 6, when significant user interface improvements were made to the software.

It's lower than a 1-hour learning curve. If you can follow a 50-minute video (the screenshot below shows what to look for in a Google Search), then you'll be able to put together a circuit and PCB with KiCad.

Then, try using it for a week or so, and those operations will become second nature.

[MarkF]

I've been using the free version of DipTrace for ten years.
You are limited to 500 pins and 2 layers.  Plenty for personnel PCB designs.
It has a 3D display of the PCB with a STEP file export for use in 3D CAD software (FreeCAD in my case).
And it STILL runs on older Windows systems.  Back to WinXP.

Examples:

[fourfathom]

I've been using the free version of DipTrace for ten years.
You are limited to 500 pins and 2 layers.  Plenty for personnel PCB designs.

I've not used DipTrace so perhaps I'm missing something, but if you are new to PCB and schematic capture I wouldn't suggest spending time learning a program with these limitations.  I usually do simple 2-layer boards, but sometimes a 4-layer design makes things much easier and cleaner.  And the cost difference between 2 and 4-layers is trivial.  I've used other tools, but for a hobbyist KiCad ( ver 8 ) is the way to go.

[PGPG]

You are limited to 500 pins and 2 layers.  Plenty for personnel PCB designs.

In 90s I was using both layers for GND, supply and signal tracks. But later I read a lot about EMC design and I decided to have one layer 100% GND. I was still using only 2 layer PCBs. My way was to go with VCC under microcontroller and distribute from there radiantly through corners and VCC pads. That way VCC connection to all microcontroller VCC pads located around its case didn't disturbed signal connection to other pads even using only one layer fo signals and supplies.
Example of such design:
https://forum.kicad.info/t/approaching-pcb-track-routing-for-a-newbie/36302/8
But when microcontroller case has a thermal pad at bottom it forces me to use 4 layers.
If someone wants to learn new PCB design software 2 layer limit should be considered as disqualifying if the other, free tool don't has this limit.

Last KiCad versions need Linux or Win10 to run. If you can't have any of them you can still run KiCad V5. I was using it for 3 years as I assumed it being better than Protel 3 I used before. Main argument for me to move from Protel to KiCad was that KiCad is able to push other tracks when routing the next one while Protel not.
To upgrade to KiCad V6 (needs Win10) I have bought after leasing desktop computer for about $200.

[MarkF]

You always get that one 'nay sayer'.

I my ten years of making boards for home, I've only ran into the limitations one time.  And that was because I was using a 96 pin VME connector.  Easy enough to get around by just making holes instead of pads since I only needed half of them.

Four layer PCBs might not be much more expensive than two layer ones.  But the couple thousand dollars for a new computer, printer, flatbed scanner, etc. just to run Windows 11 and KiCAD 8 is a little over the top for me.

As far as learning, my first PCB design (a simple lm7812 power supply) took only one hour with ZERO training or Youtube videos.  DipTrace has been so quick and easy to learn (even creating my own footprints and 3D component models).  And I tried Eagle and KiCad back in the days.  Can't try the new ones because I'm unable to install them. 

The OP wants to try something new and the only recommendation given is KiCad.
I don't believe an hour or two is much time to invest in trying something new.

[themadhippy]

To upgrade to KiCad V6 (needs Win10) I have bought after leasing desktop computer for about $200.

But the couple thousand dollars for a new computer, printer, flatbed scanner, etc. just to run Windows 11 and KiCAD 8 is a little over the top for me.

Hows about running linux in a vm? wont cost a penny.

[wraper]

You always get that one 'nay sayer'.

I my ten years of making boards for home, I've only ran into the limitations one time.  And that was because I was using a 96 pin VME connector.  Easy enough to get around by just making holes instead of pads since I only needed half of them.

500 pins is only enough for simple stuff, a lot of DIY projects are quite a bit more complicated than that. Examples you have shown are very basic and built with outdated components. Also you need 4 layers for USB above Full speed, ethernet, other fast signals, if using some more advanced ICs, etc. And lately 4 layer PCBs can be ordered for peanuts too. These days I don't see any reason to use anything but KiCad unless you want to shovel at least a few thousand of $ or pirate.

But the couple thousand dollars for a new computer, printer, flatbed scanner, etc. just to run Windows 11 and KiCAD 8 is a little over the top for me.

LMAO, you can run it on <$300 computer if buying brand new (and it will perform way better than something that cannot run win 10) and <$150 of printer/scanner if you need to replace those (most likely you don't if they're not so old that need windows XP to run).

[fourfathom]

Four layer PCBs might not be much more expensive than two layer ones.  But the couple thousand dollars for a new computer, printer, flatbed scanner, etc. just to run Windows 11 and KiCAD 8 is a little over the top for me.

Why do you need a flatbed scanner for PCB design?  And as wraper said, you can get a perfectly adequate Win 10+ PC for a few hundred dollars.  But by all means, use what you like, and anyone interested in doing CAD/CAE should certainly explore the options.

That said, if I can get better performance and easier layout with a 4-layer PCB, that's what I'm going to do.  I've been using pro and hobby-level tools since the 1980s, and now that I'm retired KiCad is my choice.  I can understand why it's been the overwhelming recommendation.

[PGPG]

To upgrade to KiCad V6 (needs Win10) I have bought after leasing desktop computer for about $200.

...
Hows about running linux in a vm? wont cost a penny.

In my case the main reasons were:
- have never tried linux,
- have never tried to use vm,
- we (very small company) are using after leasing PCs so they when 'new' are about 3 years old,
- my previous PC we bought in 2017 together with me moving to KiCad,
- in 2022 (KiCad V6 released) my PC was about 8 years old - to not risk catastrophe it was time to change it to next 'new' = 3 years old so we just did it.

But the couple thousand dollars for a new computer, printer, flatbed scanner, etc. just to run Windows 11 and KiCAD 8 is a little over the top for me.

You assume buying new equipment. In December last year I have bought Dell Latitude 5500 laptop (15", touch screen, Win11 Proffesional, i7-8, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD NVME) for $375. Someone offered 160 such (after leasing) PCs giving 6 months guarantee.

[themadhippy]

in 2022 (KiCad V6 released) my PC was about 8 years old - to not risk catastrophe it was time to change it to next 'new' = 3 years old so we just did it.

This machine  happily runs kicad 9 and  was built around  2016,nothing fancy not even a graphics card

[ahsrabrifat]

You can switch to KiCad or LTspice.

[PGPG]

in 2022 (KiCad V6 released) my PC was about 8 years old - to not risk catastrophe it was time to change it to next 'new' = 3 years old so we just did it.

This machine  happily runs kicad 9 and  was built around  2016,nothing fancy not even a graphics card

Currently runs 8. In 3 months (I think) I will try if runs V9 , but not expect problems.
But generally I don't understand you. I have never thought of word 'fancy' having anything in common with PC.

[themadhippy]

But generally I don't understand you. I have never thought of word 'fancy' having anything in common with PC.

What i meant was a computer that is pretty average  specifications  for the time it was built,not some super fast gaming machine.

[Messtechniker]

Hello ME,

Splan8 is a basic yet powerful electronic CAD software.
You can also use it as a general purpose 2D vector drawing software.
Learning time : I would say 1 hour

See the schematics drawn with Splan by Cyrob (in the list on the left, click on 'Montages').

Video 'Cyrob : présentation sPlan8.0 d'Abacom'  (engligh subtitles available)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?   v=jrmqCNzE4Wk  (edit the URL by removing the space characters).

For PCB artwork drawing, the same editor sells Sprint layout for a reasonable price.
Learning time is also about one to two hours.
Both software are independant, do only need a vanilla PC and do not provide any netlist feature.

Demo versions without the save feature are available here for free.

Update
Gerber export compatible with numerous PCB manufacturers :
JLCPCB, PCBWay, Leiterplatten-Lippmann,  AISLER, Fischer Leiterplatten GmbH, ANTTRONIC, PCB-Pool / Beta-Layout, Loch Leiterplatten GmbH, Q-PCB, LeitOn (Leiterplatten-Online), PCB-Center by M&V Leiterpl.,  IBR Leiterplatten, Steimer Leiterplatten GmbH, Multi CB, Leiterplatten Nord GmbH, ätzwerk GmbH, MME-Leiterplatten, Platinenbelichter, GK-Leiterplattenservice, NCAB Group

I use Splan 8 all the time and Sprint Layout very occasionally. Some PCB vendors accept Sprint Layout files direct. Can save you some trouble related to Gerber files. Note that you cannot import Splan files into Sprint Layout. These are entirely separate progs.

[PGPG]

What i meant was a computer that is pretty average  specifications  for the time it was built,not some super fast gaming machine.

First time designing PCB using CAD program I was working at IBM-XT having 640kB RAM and two 360kB floppy drives (This PC had no HDD !). I was using Racal-Redac program distributed at 4 floppies. To work at my configuration I had to select only files needed during PCB design and I was very often asked to swap floppy. I have also to make 80k RAM-disc and copy there some files. So the total RAM left for working was 560kB. It had Hercules/CGA card and I was using CGA mode but without color monitor. I have mixed with resistors RGB outputs from CGA card to get different gray level for top and bottom copper. I was using the monitor I have made myself from 14" TV.

I don't know where from the idea of even considering "fast gaming machine' when we are speaking of PCB design only.