Digi-Key, Mentor collaborate to target low cost PCB tools market

[Psi]

Just saw this...

http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-news/digi-key-mentor-collaborate-to-target-low-cost-tools-market/65685/


Designer Schematic and Designer Layout – based on Mentor's PADS software – come with free access to Mentor's PartQuest website, which converts Digi-Key part numbers into symbols and footprints

The tools – Designer Schematic and Designer Layout – can be downloaded immediately from Digi-Key's website.

For 90 days, both tools will be available at a 30% discount: Designer Schematic pricing starts at $199, whilst Designer Layout starts at $449. Both are available on a free 15 day trial.

[jeremy]

What is the difference between this and PADS? What features do you lose?

[ehughes]

I played with beta.  It is a fail.   

a.)   They have this notion that people will draw a schematic only and then send it away to a "board house" to do layout.    I have *never* seen anyway who will invest time in a schematic tool and then outsource the PCB.  That is just dumb.

b.)  Parts library system is very weird.   You can really only use parts on Digikey.   Need to set up a Dropbox account.   It never really worked right with my current dropbox.  I have to create a new one. And then it was still clunky.

c.)   No 3d,  no push-shove.    You are essentially getting EAGLE or Diptrace that is tied to Digikey.  Except that both of those have more capability.

This package is too expensive for what it does.    Anyone who looks at this compared to say DipTrace or Eagle would throw it away quickly. They need to get that there needs to be a completely free version for it to take off.    That and I thinking they are confusing small company with "Hobby/Maker".    If you are in business to make money, you invest in a real tool, not something like this. If you are a maker/hobbiest,  I understand.   $600 is too much for that group.  No one in that group would ever separate the SchPCB unless they are dumb.   If they think they are going to beat Diptrace or Eagle they are simply dumb and doesn't understand the marker.

This makers CircuitMaker look much better.   


I really tried to like the package.  It just is too clunky for $600.   If I was a "small company" looking for a "low cost" tool,   Eagle or Diptrace would be a much better option (until CircuitMaker is ready to evaluate).

[Zeta]

I tried the beta too,
a) I do know of small companies that do schematics for their custom circuits they have the expertise and need, But can't keep a layout guy in staff (mostly because of cost) so contract the layout outside to people whose expertise is layout. Makes perfect sense for economic reasons.

b) At first look digikey-partquest library seemed great but it really sucks. I couldn't find a way to add a custom part to the library and yes the drop box thing is maid of pure fail. You have to have accounts on mentor, digikey and dropbox to start using it.

I actually liked the the layout tool. It's a cutdown version of pads several menu items and tool from pads are not available but what is there works fine. I also like it because it can import files from eagle, altium, orcad and a few more out of the box.

[EEVblog]

For 90 days, both tools will be available at a 30% discount: Designer Schematic pricing starts at $199, whilst Designer Layout starts at $449. Both are available on a free 15 day trial.

Schematic should be free. It's of limited use to anyone without the layout part.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Seems to be some implication that the $600 for schematic +PCB isn't even a permanent license
"Purchase the Designer Schematic and Layout bundle and recieve a 3 month license extension."
WTF?

[Zeta]

Seems to be some implication that the $600 for schematic +PCB isn't even a permanent license
"Purchase the Designer Schematic and Layout bundle and recieve a 3 month license extension."
WTF?

it is a 1 year license +3months extention as promo

[mikeselectricstuff]

Seems to be some implication that the $600 for schematic +PCB isn't even a permanent license
"Purchase the Designer Schematic and Layout bundle and recieve a 3 month license extension."
WTF?

it is a 1 year license +3months extention as promo

I had a look around and couldn't find anywhere that actually said this - pretty misleading

[coppice]

For 90 days, both tools will be available at a 30% discount: Designer Schematic pricing starts at $199, whilst Designer Layout starts at $449. Both are available on a free 15 day trial.

Schematic should be free. It's of limited use to anyone without the layout part.

Lots of people only need a schematic tool. They send their schematic files to outsourced layout people. They might need a layout viewer to check the results, but most viewers are already free. Whether or not its a good idea to try to get revenue from those people, I'm not sure.