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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------