Speaking from an admittedly biased viewpoint, I have been a PADS user
since I gave up tape & mylar. (Circa 1987)I have yet to find anything
that I was 'unable' to do with the application. For the price, it's
quite robust. I don't believe there are many in the "mid" price range
that have better features/capabilities.

Denis Lefebvre, CID+
Sr. PCB Designer
Finisar Corp
(408) 542-3832


-----Original Message-----
From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Heather Gregg
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 7:28 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [DC] EDA Software-- Any opinions?


Hello,
I'm relatively new to PCB design (at it for <6 mos. now) but I have
worked in electronic manufacturing and engineering positions for 12
years. The company I work for recently choose to use the Electronics
Workbench MultiSIM/UltiBoard/UltiRoute software and I am the main guinea
pig working with it. Several other engineers do schematic work, but I am
the sole PCB designer. As I am learning and growing into a (hopefully)
competent designer, I have found myself less and less impressed with the
EWB software. It is a good intuitive suite to start with, especially for
learning the ropes, but I feel it's lacking features essential to
professional design work. For instance, the parts database and reporting
is lame or non-existent. Project and documentation management is also
missing.

I have been looking at forums and websites to get a feel for what is out
there and I would like your opinions too. So far, I am leaning towards
choosing OrCAD or Altium Designer. Which would you choose? Any other you
would recommend instead?

Of course, the next battle is getting my manager to agree to spend $$$
on new software so soon after spending so much on EWB. ;)

Thanks for your time,
Heather Gregg
PCB Design Engineer

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