ExpressPCB

[no one ever]

I spent > 10 hours on making a layout: and once I get it etched, I find the component pads are too small to drill. The pads just lift with the drill bit. Now I have to finish this board PTP.







[/vent]

[bancika]

Yeah, it can be pain in the ass. I usually enlarge solder pads in some graphic program as much as posslible before I print on PnP. I'm using 1mm bit so it can make problem with usual small pads.

[chunks717]

you have to change the pad size.........you can do that, and should.
I use it alot, and once you make custom components and pads its really
user friendly.......not to mention free..................................

[no one ever]

you have to change the pad size.........you can do that, and should.
I use it alot, and once you make custom components and pads its really
user friendly.......not to mention free..................................

I tried that, didn't work. and I don't want to have to create a whole nother library just because of the pads.

[bioroids]

Well, I'm using Protel and I had to make my own library anyway with component footprints, etc. I don't think you can get away with CAD without that.

On the other hand it gives you total control...

Luck

Miguel

[markm]

I've been using MS Paint and or Photoshop for layouts.
Works real nice.
   MM

[LyleCaldwell]

ExpressPCB is great - it makes exactly what you tell it to do.  If you don't like the results, give it better instructions.

[MartyB]

After I make a layout in Express PCB I transfer the image to MS paint as a bitmap.  Then I can enhance it various ways, including making the pads as big as I like. 

[trevize]

try eagle cad. it's free and i think it's even better for layout. there's an auto trace feature, and pads and vias are higly configurable.
did i mention that it's free?

www.cadsoft.de

[bwanasonic]

The result you got has nothing to do with Express PCB. Changing programs because you can't figure out how to change pad size would be one way to deal with it I guess  You don't need to create a new library- create a pad the size you want, then select all the parts you want to take on that size. Now shift right-click on the pad you created, and select change pad size. The size of the pad you created should be hilited. OK this, and all your pads will now be the size you want. I'm not near a copy of ExpressPCB right now, so I hope I got it right, but I assure you, it is an easy process.

ExpessPCB is a fantastic piece of software at a fantastic price . Just spend a little time and figure out how to use it.

Kerry M

[Peter Snowberg]

Try surface mount. 

ExpressPCB has worked great for me for the last 5 years.

[no one ever]

Try surface mount. 

ExpressPCB has worked great for me for the last 5 years.

I guess I'll give it one more go, it IS a pretty easy to use program. And I can't seem to learn how to use EAGLE.


God Bless Paint.

[George Giblet]

See my new thread,

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=44544.0

Hope this puts people on the right track.

[jrc4558]

ExpressPCB is great - it makes exactly what you tell it to do.  If you don't like the results, give it better instructions.

I agree wholeheartedly. Machines work, men think.

[formerMember1]

i never did that (too small padholes) but i had some trouble using express pcb at first,... (longer than 10hours  BTW)
but now i use it without trouble and love it,... thanks to those who pointed me and encouraged me to use it on the forum months ago 

keep messing with it and it will click one day and you will have fun instead of aggervation...

[puretube]

Back to sucking by virtue of the forum`s time-warp...

[Brian Marshall]

keep in mind two things.

1 express pcb was never intended to be used the way you are using it.

2 express pcb assumes that the holes will be trhough plated, and milled by a machine.

check this site out http://www.freepcb.com/

I have been using free PCB for about a year now.  It is not perfect.  you still need to make your own parts in the library.  the library editor is probably the easiest i have ever used.  I wouldnt call the application perfect.  it has some quirks, but the library editor is the best i have tried so far.  It will also generate gerber files.

and hey, its free too.

[nightingale]

hi,
i make a layout using express pcb.
then i copy and paste the screen-shot into photoshop.
and use the express pcb traces as a guide to make really nice pads, and traces.. and even text.

my two cents,
ry

[no one ever]

 






something looks different.