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JeffM
Guest
Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:17 pm
Joel Koltner wrote:
Quote:
the free-as-in-beer software that's tied to a specific PCB manufacturer
(e.g., ExpressPCB, PCB Artist, etc.) where [] the tools
specifically generate proprietary files
specifically so that you do have to use that manufacturer.
[...]
some of the PCB manufacturers
will *give* you the actual Gerber files
after you've placed an order for boards with them,
A list of such vendors would be useful.
As far as I have seen, it is a null set.
Quote:
other manufacturers will *sell* the Gerbers back to you,
That is the *only* meme I have seen in this phylum.
Quote:
some might not have any option for obtaining the Gerbers.)
Obviously, a vendor genera to be avoided
if you plan to make multiple runs and seek out competitive bids.
JosephKK
Guest
Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:20 am
On Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:27:03 -0400, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa__at_charter.net> wrote:
Quote:
JosephKK wrote:
On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:23:36 -0400, Jamie
jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa__at_charter.net> wrote:
JosephKK wrote:
On Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:34:48 -0700, Adam Smith <adamsmith_at_nospam.com
wrote:
What is a good reliable PCB layout software, open source or freeware, if
not the best, that is available?
last posting on this was in early 2008, things might have changed - just
wanted to be up to date.
There are some from "board houses" that require that you use that
board house. OK but not impressive. Then there is the tools in Kicad
and gEDA.
How good is the windows version of KiCad ? do you use it, is it really
usable ?
I have only the linux version. AIUI the two versions track, so look
to be needing to enter a lot of library stuff.
I installed it last night, 110megs later and then the need for the
wing3d to see the 3D view.. It seems to work and it does 16 layers
which is far more than I ever think of doing..
Now the question is, does board houses accept the format?
There are a few things in the program I would've done differently but
what the hell, you can't have everything.
Never took it far enough to worry about that. I just presumed it
would produce Gerbers and 2X pdfs and a couple others.
Rich Webb
Guest
Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:03 pm
On Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:20:46 -0700, "JosephKK"<quiettechblue_at_yahoo.com>
wrote:
Quote:
On Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:27:03 -0400, Jamie
jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa__at_charter.net> wrote:
JosephKK wrote:
On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:23:36 -0400, Jamie
jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa__at_charter.net> wrote:
JosephKK wrote:
On Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:34:48 -0700, Adam Smith <adamsmith_at_nospam.com
wrote:
What is a good reliable PCB layout software, open source or freeware, if
not the best, that is available?
last posting on this was in early 2008, things might have changed - just
wanted to be up to date.
There are some from "board houses" that require that you use that
board house. OK but not impressive. Then there is the tools in Kicad
and gEDA.
How good is the windows version of KiCad ? do you use it, is it really
usable ?
I have only the linux version. AIUI the two versions track, so look
to be needing to enter a lot of library stuff.
I installed it last night, 110megs later and then the need for the
wing3d to see the 3D view.. It seems to work and it does 16 layers
which is far more than I ever think of doing..
Now the question is, does board houses accept the format?
There are a few things in the program I would've done differently but
what the hell, you can't have everything.
Never took it far enough to worry about that. I just presumed it
would produce Gerbers and 2X pdfs and a couple others.
Note that Wings 3D is only required to create *new* 3D models, not to
view a 3D layout that uses existing models.
Once upon a time, the Kicad distribution included a version of Wings.
Not sure why they stopped, whether it was concern over keeping the
versions in sync or if the Wings folks complained. Both are FOSS so I'd
guess it was to ensure that anyone wanting to create 3D models picked up
the latest version directly.
FWIW, Wings is a decent modeler for this. I recently did up one of the
EA DOG
http://www.lcd-module.com/produkte/dog.html displays, including
the LED backlight slab. Went together pretty quickly.
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
Jamie
Guest
Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:11 am
JosephKK wrote:
Quote:
On Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:27:03 -0400, Jamie
jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa__at_charter.net> wrote:
JosephKK wrote:
On Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:23:36 -0400, Jamie
jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa__at_charter.net> wrote:
JosephKK wrote:
On Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:34:48 -0700, Adam Smith <adamsmith_at_nospam.com
wrote:
What is a good reliable PCB layout software, open source or freeware, if
not the best, that is available?
last posting on this was in early 2008, things might have changed - just
wanted to be up to date.
There are some from "board houses" that require that you use that
board house. OK but not impressive. Then there is the tools in Kicad
and gEDA.
How good is the windows version of KiCad ? do you use it, is it really
usable ?
I have only the linux version. AIUI the two versions track, so look
to be needing to enter a lot of library stuff.
I installed it last night, 110megs later and then the need for the
wing3d to see the 3D view.. It seems to work and it does 16 layers
which is far more than I ever think of doing..
Now the question is, does board houses accept the format?
There are a few things in the program I would've done differently but
what the hell, you can't have everything.
Never took it far enough to worry about that. I just presumed it
would produce Gerbers and 2X pdfs and a couple others.
well it does seem to produce Gerbers from what I gather. In the drill
file it allows to select Gerber as a option..
Ross Herbert
Guest
Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:04 pm
On Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:01:00 -0700, Adam Smith <adamsmith_at_nospam.com> wrote:
:What is a good reliable PCB layout software, open source or freeware,if
:not the best, that is available?
:
:last posting on this was in early 2008, things might have changed - just
:wanted to be up to date.
You could even start at the beginning with perhaps still one of the best FREE
pcb layout programs, ie. Protel DOS
http://airborn.com.au/layout/easytrax.html
Once you learn the ropes this works surprisingly well, even on WinXP.
who where
Guest
Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:46 am
On Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:04:39 +0800, Ross Herbert
<rherber1_at_bigpond.net.au> wrote:
Quote:
On Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:01:00 -0700, Adam Smith <adamsmith_at_nospam.com> wrote:
:What is a good reliable PCB layout software, open source or freeware,if
:not the best, that is available?
:
:last posting on this was in early 2008, things might have changed - just
:wanted to be up to date.
You could even start at the beginning with perhaps still one of the best FREE
pcb layout programs, ie. Protel DOS
http://airborn.com.au/layout/easytrax.html
Once you learn the ropes this works surprisingly well, even on WinXP.
Better off going straight to Protel's (also freeware) AutoTrax, which
AFAIR is still downloadable from Altium's website.
If you can *find* the companion (DOS) Protel Schematic, the AutoTrax
autorouting - when you disable most of it - is a most desirable layout
aid. Showing remaining unrouted connections as you progressively
route a board is a big step ahead of working manually from a
schematic.
Steve's website (http://www.airborn.com.au/) holds a lot of value for
AutoTraxers.
Ross Herbert
Guest
Sun Sep 26, 2010 2:30 am
On Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:46:06 +0800, who where <noone_at_home.net> wrote:
:On Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:04:39 +0800, Ross Herbert
:<rherber1_at_bigpond.net.au> wrote:
:
:>On Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:01:00 -0700, Adam Smith <adamsmith_at_nospam.com> wrote:
:>
:>:What is a good reliable PCB layout software, open source or freeware,if
:>:not the best, that is available?
:>:
:>:last posting on this was in early 2008, things might have changed - just
:>:wanted to be up to date.
:>
:>
:>You could even start at the beginning with perhaps still one of the best FREE
:>pcb layout programs, ie. Protel DOS
http://airborn.com.au/layout/easytrax.html
:>
:>Once you learn the ropes this works surprisingly well, even on WinXP.
:
:Better off going straight to Protel's (also freeware) AutoTrax, which
:AFAIR is still downloadable from Altium's website.
:
:If you can *find* the companion (DOS) Protel Schematic, the AutoTrax
:autorouting - when you disable most of it - is a most desirable layout
:aid. Showing remaining unrouted connections as you progressively
:route a board is a big step ahead of working manually from a
:schematic.
:
:Steve's website (http://www.airborn.com.au/) holds a lot of value for
:AutoTraxers.
Actually, I meant to refer to the Autotrax prog but instead I typed Easytrax.
Indeed, the Airborn page header says Autotrax/Easytrax. Autotrax is definitely
the way to go and this prog is available on the website.
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