2014 PCB CAD preference POLL

[scientist]

Vote for your preferred circuit CAD software. You may vote twice, if you have no second choice pick "MS Paint/Notepad."

If your favorite CAD software isn't on the list, comment and I'll add it.

[nctnico]

Orcad has (at least) two PCb layout packages: Orcad Layout and Allegro PCB Designer.

[scientist]

Added.

[pipe]

I couldn't find DaveCAD in the list. 

[AndyC_772]

No mention of PADS or Expedition?

"Orcad" is a schematic capture tool. "Orcad Layout" is the old, deprecated PCB software that used to go with it, but that's now been replaced by "Orcad PCB Designer" which is actually a license-nobbled version of Allegro.

[janoc]

Interesting, I never realized KiCAD was so popular on this board.

Well, there aren't that many alternatives for a cash-strapped hobbyist, even less so for one not using Windows.

[mikeselectricstuff]

No mention of PADS or Expedition?

or PCAD

[abaxas]

No pen, acetate sheet and artistic flair option?

[scientist]

No mention of PADS or Expedition?

or PCAD

But is PCAD your preferred EDA software?

[mikeselectricstuff]

No mention of PADS or Expedition?

or PCAD

But is PCAD your preferred EDA software?

Yes.

[kile]

Interesting, I never realized KiCAD was so popular on this board.

I'm a hobbyist and I've used Eagle for about 2 years. Actually, I've learned whatever little I know about schematic/pcb layout through Eagle. It was a very long and painful process and I bitched and moaned all the way through. Once I tried to use KiCad for about half an hour and hated it. Then, about two months ago, I had to design a pcb which had to be larger than the 10x8cm Eagle allowed. So I tried learning KiCad again. This time, I was really surprised how easy it was. Most of things I did in Eagle were simpler and more intuitive in KiCad. And then I learned that I can import my footprint library from Eagle into KiCad. And that was a nail in Eagle's coffin as far as I'm concerned. I'm not going back, except to make revisions of designs I already have in Eagle.

There's nothing I need to do with a schematic/pcb that's easier in Eagle than in KiCad. Who knows, maybe it's because I'm just not aware of Eagle's full potential.