Sounds to me like we are taking something that is relatively simple and making it hard.
If you are making a simple board, 2 to 4 layers, (layers 2 and 3 are planes only), no controlled impedance lines, etc. Draw it up on ExpressPCB, send them the file in whatever format that they want to use, have them manufacture the boards and FedEx them back. Poof! Done! It is pretty much a what you see is what you get program.
You can special order a "solder mask" Gerber from them that you can edit to make your own stencil if you want to send the boards out to have them assembled. But for low quantity, low price, quick-turnaround, test or prototype boards it doesn't get much easier.
Sure, the free software is clucky and doesn't have a lot of features, but I don't think this what I would use to launch a space shuttle anyway. It is designed for the above average hobbyist who wants some quick and simple boards.
Hate to
-----Original Message-----
From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Chris
Ball
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 1:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DC] Freeware Layout Tools
That rings a bell. A group here used to send dxf or iges of simple switch
boards done in a mechanical cad pkg. The boardshops they dealt with really
didn't appreciate it at all. Hard to know what was to be filled and not,
what line width was assumed (if any thought was given to it at all, etc.
They eventually refused to accept anything other than gerber.
The moral being that while the software ACCEPTS DXF or IGES input, that is
not a gaurantee that they'll interpret it as you intended it to be.
Communicate and check, if you must work this way.
-Chris
"Ryan, Ronald" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: DesignerCouncil <[log in to unmask]>
02/07/2007 01:22 PM
Please respond to
"(Designers Council Forum)" <[log in to unmask]>; Please respond to
"Ryan, Ronald" <[log in to unmask]>
To
[log in to unmask]
cc
Subject
Re: [DC] Freeware Layout Tools
Another Choice.....
If the Engineer is familiar with AutoCad, he should be able to lay it
out following some guidelines. Most Cam software (like CAM350), has a
DXF-IN capability. The only thing I would suggest, is that he very
carefully checks the Gerber verification files prior to fabrication.
Ron
-----Original Message-----
From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Charles Gervasi
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 12:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DC] Freeware Layout Tools
I am interested in this question too. I briefly tried to use PCB123
until I got access to a machine with OrCAD PCB Designer (Allegro Lite).
PCB123 didn't seem bad, but I never finished a board with it.
My understanding, though, is that you cannot generate normal Gerber
artwork with free programs. It generates a proprietary format that only
the fab that makes the software accepts. They make their money at that
point. My impression was if you know you're not going to fab more than
a few boards, PCB123 is a good deal.
I like OrCAD PCB Designer, which include OrCAD Capture and "Allegro
Lite". I believe my company paid $6,000 for it. I really like Allegro.
I have heard good things about EagleCAD, which is much cheaper. I am
curious to hear if Allegro and PADS are really worth their high price
tags.
CJ
-----Original Message-----
From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jack
Olson
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 10:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [DC] Freeware Layout Tools
Greetings,
I have an engineer who wants to use something like ExpressPCB or PCB123
or FreePCB to design easy-cheesy test boards.
Does anyone have experience with any of these packages? best libraries?
hidden "gotchas"?
I hate to do a long evaluation process before he dives headfirst into
something, so I thought I'd ask ya...
Jack
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