I just tried DipTrace for the first time, and I like it a lot!

[alexanderbrevig]

I've been using Altium for work, and KiCad for hobby for a couple of years now.
While I like KiCad and have made it mine in some ways - I'm a bit tired by it and its quirks.

Because of this I've been on the lookout for a new and not free package. Something stable I can live with for a few, preferably many, years.
I've tried a lot of them now (circuit studio, eagle, design spark, orcad, easyeda and a few other web based waste-of-times) and I think I've found my favorite!
So close to the Altium feeling with a fraction of the cost. 

[MarkF]

When using the 3-D View to double check your layout, I found 3D ContentCentral a good source for those missing models in both step and wrl formats.  Sometimes the step format display better but the wrl format loads faster.  I often edit the part colors in the wrl files (like changing the lead color to gold instead of silver).  You will need to create an account to download the models but there is no cost associated with it.

For home use, don't forget to request the free non-profit license allowing for 500 pins and 2 layers.
Enjoy.

[alexanderbrevig]

The good support for step is actually important to me yep.
Nice to see things lining up in the enclosure.

Grabcad is nice too btw. Fusion360 saves the day for the even weirder stuff

Must say the library they ship is HUGE! So far I also like how they organize libraries.

Place by list is awesome! And I like the way they handle repeated hierarchical schematics for copying layout.
So much nice, I will buy it I think. (Need at least 4 layers, may just go all inn and spring for the full version )

[DerekG]

I've been using Altium for work

Me too, since the Protel days way back in 1990.

I've been on the lookout for a new and not free package. Something stable I can live with for a few, preferably many, years.
I've tried a lot of them now (circuit studio, eagle, design spark, orcad, easyeda and a few other web based waste-of-times) and I think

I also went on this pilgrimage, but mine lasted from 1996 (when I became dissatisfied with Protel/Altium) until 2014 when I found DipTrace V2.4. It had some real quirks then, but lucky for both of us many of these were fixed in V2.9 & V3.

I've found my favorite!

Welcome to the club!

So close to the Altium feeling with a fraction of the cost. 

For me it is soooooo much better than the Altium feeling.

Don't forget to checkout the "hotkeys". You can set many of the repetitive functions to a single keyboard key. I've made many of mine to be identical to Altium's keyboard shortcuts.

One thing I really like is that you can change between imperial & metric whilst you are editing within a pop up window. Even Altium can't manage that!

Also, make sure you join the DipTrace Forum. The design engineers read the customer posts carefully & many of the suggestions are implemented in the next update version. This is something that Altium could learn from "Listen to your customers".

[Ash]

Hi,

I've also started using DipTrace. My project was commercial and we sprang for the 4 layer license I think (it counts Signal layers) and I did 6 layer designs in it (you have unlimited power layers, but you can manually route in these if you need). I assume the signal / power restrictions are related to the auto-router which I don't use.

Pretty happy with it. I did find a bug with the handling of slots and had a good support response from them and I believe it is fixed in the newest release (haven't had a chance to verify yet).

My only disappointment is being unable to bind in additional elements in a foot print (Pattern). I have lots of QFNs and want to have standard thermal vias integrated into my custom foot prints. At the moment, I have to add then manually every time I place the part. I'd also love to be able to define placement / size of designators the foot print, but again this is not how they do things. I understand why this is the case (how they implement stuff) but It still would be nice to be able to at least have predefined vias, then at least I can simply modify the via style to suite the board rather than have to add them and group them with the pattern manually each time I use it.

All in all though, it is really good. very stable (never had it crash) and quite usable. They do have an extensive component / pattern library, but I don't use it and rather prefer building my own. The component and pattern editors are good as well. I have my libraries checked in to a Git repository.

Ash.

[JPortici]

One thing I really like is that you can change between imperial & metric whilst you are editing within a pop up window. Even Altium can't manage that!

then try and name a net something like "THIS_HAS_A_U_IN_IT". to write it fast i don't use caps lock, i use shift. Shift+U is default change unit shortcut.. so be careful when you make your owns, this one is giving me a big headache.
I'm not really a fan of some of the default library, like how some symbols are too big (like the inductor), some are retarded (like new pic16), some are still not aligned to the standard grid after many versions (like one of the mosfets )

The obvious solution is to make your own, which i do, but i wish these were updated at some point. Actually i wish they separated software updates with library updates

[DerekG]

I use shift. Shift+U is default change unit shortcut.. so be careful when you make your owns, this one is giving me a big headache.

You can cycle between imperial & metric units in Altium using just the "*" key ........... so I just set the same asterisk key to do the same in DipTrace. Very easy

[HwAoRrDk]

then try and name a net something like "THIS_HAS_A_U_IN_IT". to write it fast i don't use caps lock, i use shift. Shift+U is default change unit shortcut.. so be careful when you make your owns, this one is giving me a big headache.

Where are you entering the net name that this problem occurs?

I just tried it in Schematic editor both by right-clicking a net, and from the menu either clicking on the first "Net #" entry and typing in the Net Name window, or by clicking Properties and typing in the Name field of the Net Properties window. There was no changing of units for me at all. (And yes, I checked and I do have the shortcut key setting as Shift+U.)

[JPortici]

Funny that you ask, because i tried it right now with my windows 10 machine at home (hobby licence) and it doesn't happen

But it does happen with my windows 7 machine at the workplace (Standard licence)

http://www.diptrace.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11696

[HwAoRrDk]

Windows 7 here also, but no bug. Couldn't reproduce the problem using the steps in the linked DipTrace forum post either.

[JPortici]

Hi, still happening at the office pc.
I noticed it starts happening after a couple of hours.. When it happens i close DIP and open it again. The bug shows up again in a couple of hours

[kalel]

Is their website diptrace.com? If so, does it work well for you?

[alanb]

Their website is Diptrace.com however currently I cannot access it, I get the following error message

'Calculated absolute path to typo3conf directory does not exist'

[kalel]

I also got the issue, that's why I wanted to check.

[alanb]

Hopefully the issue with the website will be resolved soon. I can highly recommend Diptrace , it works very well for me although so far all of my projects have been fairly simple and I have managed with the free version. I'm getting close to the pin limit so I expect that I will need to get the paid for version soon.

[little_grey]

looks much neater than Design-Spark i am using at the moment.
When i get to building some of my own projects i'll give it a go i think.

other than the website not working, anyone got any comment on its strengths/weaknesses?
bits you like or dont?

[MarkF]

Hopefully the issue with the website will be resolved soon. I can highly recommend Diptrace , it works very well for me although so far all of my projects have been fairly simple and I have managed with the free version. I'm getting close to the pin limit so I expect that I will need to get the paid for version soon.

Are you using the 500 pin Non-profit license (free)?

[DerekG]

(DipTrace) looks much neater than Design-Spark i am using at the moment.

Just wait until you have to built your own parts that are not in the Design-Spark library. It can be a nightmare compared with DipTrace.

other than the website not working

The website is back!

Anyone got any comment on its strengths/weaknesses?

I love it. A more productive CAD tool than Altium (which I also use for work) in many ways.

Read (& join) the DipTrace Forum to get answers from other dedicated users. Well worth doing. Also check out the DipTrace videos on their website (& on Youtube). My suggestion would be to watch say six DipTrace videos so you have a pretty good idea about how it all comes together.

[alanb]

Hopefully the issue with the website will be resolved soon. I can highly recommend Diptrace , it works very well for me although so far all of my projects have been fairly simple and I have managed with the free version. I'm getting close to the pin limit so I expect that I will need to get the paid for version soon.

Are you using the 500 pin Non-profit license (free)?

The free version that I am using has a 300 pin limit. I wonder if I reinstall the DIp Trace Lite version if the pin limit will go up to 500?

[kalel]

Another question, does the 3D preview work with free version? I don't see why it shouldn't, but it would be interesting to know - I like those previews.

[alexanderbrevig]

Still a newb but for me I really like:

• The workflow and component/footprint management
• Nice integration with standards such as DXF and STEP plus an easy way to export to those
• The UI and UX is not at all bad, a huge plus in the CAD/EDA space

[li]Net Class, rules and ERC/DRC both work as I want them to
[/li][/list]

Not so much / don't know how to do:

• The thermal vias that's already mentioned
• I miss the ability to draw a sone to turn off DRC/ERC such as over an antenna
• No visible net names in PCB layout
• Panelising tool is sub par but adequate for vscore panels
• The grid is not always my friend, not sure what exactly it is - but I struggle to work with it some some times

The 3d is great and STEP import/export just simply works and is very easy. Even with the free version which was the first version I tried.

[MarkF]

Hopefully the issue with the website will be resolved soon. I can highly recommend Diptrace , it works very well for me although so far all of my projects have been fairly simple and I have managed with the free version. I'm getting close to the pin limit so I expect that I will need to get the paid for version soon.

Are you using the 500 pin Non-profit license (free)?

The free version that I am using has a 300 pin limit. I wonder if I reinstall the DIp Trace Lite version if the pin limit will go up to 500?

NO. The DipTrace Lite version is the Free version with the Non-profit license.
If you want the free 500 pin Non-profit version, you must write them a few lines describing what your intended use is and they will send you a license key to enter into the free version. Go to the DipTrace Lite page and use the link on the left side (half down).

Another question, does the 3D preview work with free version? I don't see why it shouldn't, but it would be interesting to know - I like those previews.

Yes. The 3D-preview works.  It's FREE. Just try it!

[cdev]

Do you have "referrers" turned off or anything set which is nonstandard for cookies? Because that sometimes causes errors like that.

Try a number of different browsers.

Their website is Diptrace.com however currently I cannot access it, I get the following error message

'Calculated absolute path to typo3conf directory does not exist'

[kalel]

The website seems to work now, I guess it was a temporary error.

[alanb]

The website seems to work now, I guess it was a temporary error.

Yes it was back on the 8 Sept