Quote: It seems like it would be really usefull to be able to say i have such and such microcontroller and it connects to these resistors and fets, now design me a board layout that minimizes area or something like that. Is there any such software available for PCB design? It sounds like you might be expecting a little bit more than the current state of the art PCB software will provide. It is not quite as automated and simple as you describe and you will have a learning curve with whatever software package you use. Even with the best of them you have to enter the schematics, then usually need to do a lot of itterative placement and routing.

• Wintek Solutions

Eagle seems to be the most professional of the packages available for free, but its interface is not really intuitive so will take some patience. The nice thing about Eagle is that there are many hobbiests using it which makes it easier when you need help or when you need components not in the existing libraries. I have used ORCAD for decades, tried Eagle but could not figure it out. The old TANGO was good, and some use PADDS. The problem with Express pcb and other like them, is that the board files are not Gerber files, which you can take to any pcb vendor.

Instructor QuickStart Guide. This brief manual provides instructions for setting up and customizing your SmartWork course, and will outline the functions of the grade.

Proprietary files mean you have to go to them for the boards. You can find orcad on the net, not to say for free, but, well. I think OrCad layout is going to be an unsupported product soon. But I could be mistaken. I know they are switching to something different at work. It seems like it would be really usefull to be able to say i have such and such microcontroller and it connects to these resistors and fets, now design me a board layout that minimizes area or something like that. Is there any such software available for PCB design?

I might already have it but might not know it. I have LabView and Matlab/Simulink.

Do these have add-ons or anything that would do this? John I agree, that could be very useful. But, no software or add-on is going to lay out the components on a PCB for you based on requirements you enter.

There are just so many thousands of variations on a layout, depending on your requirements, that a lot of times it would actually take much less effort to lay out the components manually. I highly recommend one of the free schematic/PCB packages that are available. I've used Eagle for over 3 dozen boards and like it. Of course, every single package ever made (and that ever will be created) has its own quirks, depending on what you call a quirk and what I call a neat feature.:-) Play with them all a bit and then really dive into one. You'll get up to speed very quickly. Personally, I don't like software that ties me to one company's services. What happens if that company goes under?

But, typically, it is easy to use software and the limited feature set isn't a problem for most hobbyist needs. About a year ago, I looked at a free open source program called Kicad. I really liked it and found the user interface to be rather intuitive and easy to learn. The only thing keeping me from using it was the lack of an undo/redo function in the PCB router. I just checked on the Yahoo user group for Kicad and tried new pre-release version that adds undo/redo. Release of new version is supposed to be soon and I will be taking a serious look at it for my next hobby project(I really don't like the Eagle user interface). PS I don't normally use autoroute so don't know how good that is in Kicad, but it also has hooks to interface to other external autorouters.

Hi, If you have never used Pcb design software before then it can be a steep learning curve whatever app you choose. I use the free version of Eagle, have gotten right into it and love it. The only things I find wrong with it compared to the expensive/professional apps out there are:-Library component design/modification sucks!, Not very intuitive at all. It lacks auto-placement. The autorouter works, but be prepared to have to feed it to get the best out of it. Here's one of my Pcb's (screenshot from Eagle): Here's another Pcb of mine which is rendered 3D using a plugin/separate app for Eagle.

Probably more trouble than it's worth but fun anyways. The first pcb design software I ever used was Wintek's SmartWork and then HiWireII back in the DOS days.anyone? It seems like it would be really usefull to be able to say i have such and such microcontroller and it connects to these resistors and fets, now design me a board layout that minimizes area or something like that. Is there any such software available for PCB design? I might already have it but might not know it. I have LabView and Matlab/Simulink.

Do these have add-ons or anything that would do this? John Hi,John I' ve been using the ULTIMATE design suite for 15 Years now ( V.5.72 last release ). It's now Called Multisim/Ultiboard 10 from NATIONAL. I tried it, but no joy ( for 15000 US$!!! ) and went back to my old tool.

Note I quickly left the auto-placement and routing feature aside, because HAND routing gives me much more dense single side PCBs FOR my HOBBYIST USE. Just helps a bit for double sided PCB's. BUT I exceptionnally use them.

Wintek Solutions

Do not dream. Will be you to give rough place to components on the board, even with the help of routing feature!!! Some work that MUST be done by you. I would go with Eagle as well, I found it to be quite intuitive to learn the basics on and was off and running in no time. There is a download for the user manual also which can be of great assistance for a first time user.

Also, there is an always busy user forum which you can go to for help when you get stuck! The download section will also be of great help for finding strange libs and apps to help with your particular custom job- all free but some features restricted of course. Still often good enough for small diy jobs and still a great entry level app for a diy'er!! Good luck and stick with it!

Btw, there are completely free alternatives available such as pcb, part of the geda project. Not so easy to learn on but also lots of support out there and many many fully customizable features you will never need!