Re: Low cost PCB layout software

From: Lewin A.R.W. Edwards (larwe_at_larwe.com)
Date: 12/23/03 

Date: 23 Dec 2003 13:58:14 -0800

Hi,

> I am looking for low cost PCB layout software. My designs are not
> overly complex, and are on small boards, but I will be using very small
> parts and features ~0.4mm/0.016" pitch, .006"/.006" trace/space. I have

Did you evaluate EAGLE (www.cadsoftusa.com)? It is available for
Windows and Linux, it is very mature, and the current version has
(finally) added support for blind/buried vias, making it much better
suited for 6-layer boards and MBGA. You can't evaluate that in the
free version (limited to two layers) but trust me, it works :) Eagle
is always the package I recommend when people ask here for
cost-effective PCB layout tools. It even has an autorouter which is
adequate for most simple jobs.

Pitch is neither here nor there, Eagle can handle any trace
width/spacing you care to name.

The cheapest version is $50 but it won't do your layer requirement
(basically, it is just permission to use the free version for
commercial projects). But the pricing of the full package is very
reasonable compared to similarly featured products. And the Cadsoft
newsgroups are very active, so there is good peer support.

> are not very mature or run on xNIX (and not windows) or the PCB fab
> house supplied packages that tie you to getting your boards from them.

These packages are evil. Don't use them.

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