Great substitute for Eagle (Now that it has been AutoDesk'ed)

[scopeman]

Hello,

An observation/suggestion:

Is simple to use with an almost zero learning curve important to you?

For the hobbyist or semi-pro use have you considered SprintLayout6.0 from Abacom? It is a very powerful and easy to use layout program. While not free it is 49.9 Euro (for users outside the EU there is a 19% non VAT discount).

I have produced many great PCB's with it (probably well over a 100).

I moved to this product from Accel Tango Series II+ DOS (I was a beta tester on the Tango product though it's last version 2.30a)  when I could no longer make it run on Windows. Sprint has a few extremely useful features:(not by any means an exhaustive list)

1. 274-X Gerber input with auto drill placement. Really handy for converting Gerbers generated by Eagle and others quickly into editable PCB
2. Float a bitmap scan in the background for top and bottom copper. Great for duplicating artwork from a magazine scan.
3. Support for PCB Milling (DIY with Mach3 or LinuxCNC. Can output HPGL. Third party tool (SL2M3) takes Sprint output and generated G Code for PCB Milling. Cool!
4. Runs in Wine on Linux
5. Very pleasing high resolution graphics. Has Photoview mode.
6. Very small program. Install on many PC's as you like. Just use like a book. No keys or codes. Welcome screen embedded with your name as the owner.
7. Wonderful support.
8. The easiest to use PCB software I have ever used and I have used/tried virtually every one out there. Started with Wintek SmartWork (remember that one?)
9. Easy auto footprint generator. Manual component creation is simple!
10. Copper pours are a breeze.
11. Updates are free within major version level.
12. Has DRC
13. Quick switch from mm to inches (simple button click). Very high resolution grid.
14. Runs on anything from Windows 2000 on.

Many other features to discover!

Some may think that the following are disadvantages (what do you want for 49.9 euro, $43.24USD with 19% VAT discount, ?):

1. Yep no autorouter. I do RF (DC-Microwave) and analog boards for the most part. Autorouters are useless. It does have a point to point router. It is so easy to use I don't miss the autorouter (what do you have to do when you are watching TV anyway?).
2. No Netlist in/out. I would like to have this but have learned to live without it as the program is so easy to use. Has point to point test mode.
3. 4 copper layers and one documentation layer on screen. Does generate solder masks and paste masks. (any yes I have asked for more doc layers)

There is a free demo version (does everything but save) and also a free viewer.

The usual disclaimer: I have no personal financial interest in the company or the product, just a very happy user.

Sam
W3OHM
"Scopeman"

Link:

http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/sprint-layout.html

P.S. They have some other cool programs, FrontDesigner3.0 is one. They have a schematic capture program Splan7.0 which is not as polished as SprintLayout6.0 but I hear that Splan8.0 is coming soon.

The third party SL2M3 program for milling:

This was written by Bernd Pahl. It is an outstanding program. Very well executed. I have used it with a CNC 3040 chinese mill with good success. If you try it and like it PayPal Bernd a gratuity.

Works with LinuxCNC (formerly known as EMC2)

http://www.b-pahl.de/bastel/isofr/sl2m3en.html

[tycz]

I don't think it's fair to directly compare PCB software with netlist support to any PCB software without. They are generally used for different purposes...