Some CAD packages like CadStar (and Pads?), in their demo mode allow one to
do simple designs.
The limitations are either pin-limited - size-limited or something like this.
But - if you are doing small-ish designs, you would be able to use a larger
CAD package.
This would actually help - as one could learn a different CAD package - which
would look good on a resume.
Regards,
James Jackson
Oztronics
Disclaimer: I have not personally used a CAD package in this mode - but am
aware of its' existence.
Quoting Jack Olson <[log in to unmask]>:
> Unless things have changed, it seems to me that doing a
> board in AutoCAD would be nothing more than a glorified
> drawing.
> Nothing WRONG with that, but to me, the ability to package
> footprints from schematic symbols and have netlists would
> be a huge advantage over "drawing" a circuit board, regardless
> of what output format could be generated.
>
> Just for the record, my company (Caterpillar) pays six figures
> a year for our Mentor Graphics tools, and I have access to
> some very sophisticated stuff in the normal course of my day,
> so I'm not a hobbyist looking for old Bishop decals (funny guy.)
>
> Saying "nothing is free" is meaningless.
>
> We have partnered with an assembly company who has test
> engineers using ExpressPCB to crank out boards for far less
> than we could. Our fast-turn prototype house has a $1200
> minimum order, and ExpressPCB is offering deals for $51 ???
>
> My interest is in finding out if there is a better alternative than
> ExpressPCB (free). Thanks for the tip about Pad2Pad. All three
> of these look about the same (with PCB123) Is there anything
> to differentiate between them?
>
> freePCB http://www.freepcb.com/ looks better, because it is an
> open source project that has no restrictions (makes real Gerbers,
> higher layer count, etc) but I don't know anyone that has ever
> tried it.
> Jack
>
>
> On 2/7/07, John Parsons <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > Using Autocad to do PCB layout can work just fine (assuming the fab shop
> > can
> > accept this input) if some basic rules are followed. If these rules are
> > not
> > followed it can be a royal PITA. A good source for this info (rules) is
> > here
> > http://www.artwork.com/acad/pcb_app/pcb.htm
> >
> > While of course you will not have the power of a good layout package it
> > can
> > be a quick convenient way to go if you need just a few, simple boards
> and
> > you already know Autocad. I have made the suggestion a number of times
> to
> > some of my customers. Of course the other option is to enlist the
> > services
> > of a subcontract designer.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > John Parsons
> >
> >
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
> DesignerCouncil Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV
> 1.8d
> To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
> the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF DesignerCouncil.
> To temporarily stop/(restart) delivery of DesignerCouncil send: SET
> DesignerCouncil NOMAIL/(MAIL)
> Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases >
> E-mail Archives
> Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16
> for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
> 847-615-7100 ext.2815
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
>
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DesignerCouncil Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF DesignerCouncil.
To temporarily stop/(restart) delivery of DesignerCouncil send: SET DesignerCouncil NOMAIL/(MAIL)
Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
