Q: free software for stripboard design (for Linux)

Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:36 pm   

Dear all,
I am searching for a free (or open source) program for stripboard
design which runs under Linux. I searched for a while on the Internet
(I looked in several discussion groups, googled for a while, searched
in sourceforge and at www.faq.org), but I was only able to find
references to an old "stripboard magic" program and a few demo versions
of commercial programs, mostly of which requirings Windows. I found
also a few PCB design programs (commercial and free), but noone seems
specifically tailored to stripboards.

It seems so impossible to me that noone in the open source community
ever had the necessity to design a stripboard....

Thanks for your help

Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:09 pm   

"mockturtle" <framefritti_at_yahoo.com> writes:


It is probably because stripboard has poor electrical properties (and
other limitations). Any design complicated enough to need a *program*
to help do it, is better served by using a proper PCB in the first
place!

This is more true now than ever, since it is possible to have boards
made professionally at a fraction of the price they were 10 years ago.

--

John Devereux

Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:50 am   

mockturtle wrote:

Im also wondering why you need to design stripboard. To a large extent
the design can occur during population. But if youre doing quantity and
want to optimise the layout, stripboard is generally not the way to go.
No doubt you've got a good reason though.

Or do you mean microwave work? I dont think microwave office is
freeware, and dont know of a free one.


NT

Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:38 am   

Actually, my circuit is not very complex and I could allocate the
components on the board in "real time", but I would like some tool
which could help me avoiding errors. Just to make it clear, I am not
searching for tools such autorouting, but something that, for example,
keeps track of thedifferent nets and show them with different coulurs,
check that every component has been connected, automatically place
"breaks" when needed and update the plan when I move a component.

Tue Mar 21, 2006 1:48 pm   

mockturtle wrote:

Right, all too easy to make those mistakes. I would think though that
entering it into a puter would take longer than checking it over by
eye. I dont use stripboard much these days, but when I do I always
check each net after its done.

Maybe there is such software. Lets ask sed too.


NT

Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:44 pm   

There used to be something called Stripboard Magic (for Windoze), but
the company folded after a few months.

Leon

Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:48 pm   

"mockturtle" <framefritti_at_yahoo.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
1142872610.818318.274270_at_i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

Hello,

This is not under Linux, but may run under Wine.
Did you have a look at http://veecad.com ?
There is a free version still available

--
Christian - Grenoble

Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:06 pm   

Before your next reply, you should read this:
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.design/browse_frm/thread/1e72eb22780bfcee/6939ac83d77b8ded?q=don't-click-the-reply-link-that-is-in-plain-sight+To-get-context-the-easy-way+on-Google+zzz+show-options*-*-*-snip-*-*-*-*-the-automated-blockquote-*-*-*+click-THAT-Reply-link
..
..
As Devereux said, you might want to rethink your approach
--especially if you are building more than 1 copy:
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.basics/browse_frm/thread/7c61bcd3d5a049da/b5eb7dbf94547629?q=small-batch+under-$100+zzz+50-Euro-*-*+USD-5-sq-in+3-boards-for-$51-total+5-pcbs-$13-each+browse_frm
..
..
If we can't convice you of that:
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:Ij1QKQUdh0kJ:www.winehq.com/+on-top-of-X-and-Unix+allowing-many-*-Windows-programs-to-run-*-*-*-*

Roger Lascelles' freebie:
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.design/browse_frm/thread/9eb3a7a51f85964f?q=Import+Freeware+Layout-program-for-Perf-Board+zz+qq+ww+pp+yy+xx+from-Protel-and-SwitcherCAD-*

Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:50 am   

In message <1142872610.818318.274270_at_i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
mockturtle <framefritti_at_yahoo.com> writes

Vutrax includes an interactive tutorial & practice system and
is free up to 256 pins (surely enough for Stripboard),
with many options thereafter.
It available for both Windows and Linux.

For Stripboard (Veroboard) there is a supplementary Software
Advice Note (SAN 206) obtainable from the support section of
the web sites, that outlines methods available for handling
these prototyping boards with or without schematic entry.

You can download the whole thing from

http://www.vutrax.co.uk (Main UK site)
http://www.bnellis.com/vutrax (Central Europe Mirror)
--
Roy Battell
Remove the digits present to misdirect SPAM
Mail: news_at_vutrax666.co.uk
WWW: http://www.vutrax.co.uk