Free Schematic to PCB software

[nathan Dodd]

Does it exist or am i the only person who is this lazy? if so what's the best one? and anything else you feel i'd need to know about it?

Thanks in advance!

Nathan.

[Marcos - Munky]

Search for Eagle and ExpressPCB.

[melkaone]

IMO take Eagle PCB
http://www.cadsoft.de/

[cd]

Software is free, but far from practical or easy to use.  Do a search for autorouters and autorouting, the topic has been discussed many times - for FX circuits, it's best to do use the software and lay it out manually.  i.e. you can't plug a schem into the software and magically get a Tonepad or GGG style PCB.

[erix]

Eagle is awesome but the free version will only let you do a small (3.2" x 4" or so) board. I also agree that no autorouter software will produce the results of an experienced operator.

I second the ExpressPCB software - it's worth at least 50 times the price! It makes it easy to get the layout experience you need - here's how:

1. Go to www.expresspcb.com and download the software. You don't have to fill anything out - just grab it and go!

2. Install it - it will place two programs on your machine - a schematic editor and a PCB layout editor.

3. Draw a schematic using ExpressSCH. See my version of Tim Escovedo's Phuncgnosis --> http://www.hbci.com/~erix/FX/phuncgnosis.sch

4. Check the schematic for netlist errors - mostly this means making sure all the components have pin numbers.

5. Open ExpressPCB and link the PCB to the schematic you just created.

6. Insert all the parts into the drawing being sure to name them exactly like the schematic.

7. Press the "Highlight Net Connections" button (bottom button on the left) and then touch your cursor to one side of a part. All the parts that connect to that part will highlight blue.

8. Draw some lines between the blue pads. Now you can move the parts around and the connections rubberband.  See --> http://www.hbci.com/~erix/FX/phuncgnosis.pcb

9. Have Fun!

Now, ExpressPCB didn't create this software so you can make your own boards, they want you to use their service. That's why, when you print your circuitboard layout, there is a gray grid background behind the traces - making it impossible to etch your own board. But there is a workaround - print to a PDF instead, open the PDF in Illustrator and erase all that crap!

Print, etch, and stuff!
erix

[SirPoonga]

Either in illustrator or photoshop (or gimp for those who want free open source) just change the contrast levels too

Now, I'd think someone could makea computer program that at least would layout all the parts and rubberband connect them. You could move them around afterwards.  I found that to be the most time consuming part of ExpressSCH and PCB is putting the parts on the pcb and then connecting them because you never put them in the right spot in the first place.

I'd think someone could make some sort of software to at least do that.  We have chess programs that do some big thinking, I think layoung out a pcb would just require the right algorithms to get it close.

[SirPoonga]

8. Draw some lines between the blue pads. Now you can move the parts around and the connections rubberband.  See --> http://www.hbci.com/~erix/FX/phuncgnosis.pcb

BTW, there are two Outs labelled on the PCB, one needs to be changed to In.

[bioroids]

I use ExpressPCB also and found is a great little piece of code!

Strangely missing is a button to check if all the parts that should be connected are in fact connected.

If you want to get rid of the grid you can also use the print screen button and then paste it in Photoshop or other soft. Be sure tu turn off the grid and the component outlines. I usually retouch, fill solid areas etc and then I print it.

Luck

Miguel

[BILLYL]

This site will answer all your questions about the work arounds pcbexpress.

http://www.robotroom.com/PCB.html


BILL

[erix]

8. Draw some lines between the blue pads. Now you can move the parts around and the connections rubberband.  See --> http://www.hbci.com/~erix/FX/phuncgnosis.pcb

BTW, there are two Outs labelled on the PCB, one needs to be changed to In.

Hey thanks! This is a work in prgress, BTW - I'll keep updating it but don't anybody use it as-is and think it will work...

ok,
erix

[SirPoonga]

Strangely missing is a button to check if all the parts that should be connected are in fact connected.

Exactly.  Actually, go one step further and and have a list in expresspcb of the parts needed that you could drag and drop onto board, when you do so it ases for size and what have you.

[bwanasonic]

Strangely missing is a button to check if all the parts that should be connected are in fact connected.

Actually this button is not missing, but you have to press it a few times to cycle through all the *net* connections. Select the *net connection* icon, and a group of tape-player like controls appear at the top right of your window. Click thru all the nets, using the *highlight next net* button (looks like a *play* button), watching for warning/alerts in the status bar at the bottom of your screen.

Kerry M