Shcematic to pcb Software

[Mattyboy]

Any recommendations for software that converts standard electrical schematics to a PCB layout?

[mth5044]

Welcome to the forum!

Check out the search function above - you will find this conversion has happened many times. I will suggest EAGLE, but others will not!

[duck_arse]

welcome. eagle.

[smallbearelec]

...software that converts standard electrical schematics to a PCB layout?

I suspect that you may be asking for a package that will take a schematic for a pedal and give you a board layout. As other people here have noted, the auto-routing functions of packages like EAGLE (which are the closest thing to what I think you want) don't work well in analog applications. Laying out a board for an effect requires taking into account the positions of numerous off-board components that dictate where the PCB terminations need to be. Software can't do this; human input is very much necessary. It's a learned art and craft, as described in this book:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/pcb-layout-for-musical-effects/

Regards
SD

[armdnrdy]

So far...the "Es" have it.

#1 Eagle

Not a very intuitive program. Definitely a learning curve but...great tool once you get the hang of it.

[Mattyboy]

thanks. ill check out Eagle. I am aware of human input being necessary. I'm a mechanic and have had several classes on electrical schematics. just looking for a time saver

[Transmogrifox]

Since nobody has suggested anything other than Eagle, I'll put in my plug for KiCad:
http://www.kicad-pcb.org

It's free and open source without any artificial limitations like board size, layers, etc.  It also has a bit of a learning curve (like any EDA software) but I found it to be very intuitive and easy to make custom footprints, while it also contains a good library of components us DIY'ers commonly use.  A lot of good help info on their site and online.

If you decide to use Eagle, read the WHOLE yada yada and don't click OK unless you really actually agree to the terms.  I think you're pretty clear if you're using it purely for DIY.  If you ever want to use it for ANY commercial purpose (other than passing money under the table with a friend) you're going to have to buy a license to stay in the clear legally.

Something like KiCad removes all doubt, and you're free to make stuff to sell if you get to a place where you're confident doing that kind of thing to make some spare bucks on the side.

Just my $0.02

[ubersam]

Here's a bid for Diptrace http://diptrace.com/download-diptrace/ - the freeware version has limits, though (2 layers, 300 pins), but it's enough for me. I haven't used Eagle so I don't know how the learning curves compare.

[Mattyboy]

that sounds more my speed considering I do, in fact, want to market my pedals when I get to that point

[karbomusic]

thanks. ill check out Eagle. I am aware of human input being necessary. I'm a mechanic and have had several classes on electrical schematics. just looking for a time saver

There are some pedal related PCB videos running around here somewhere which I highly recommend. Secondly, the auto router which can be very dumb, can save some time depending. I hand trace most of my stuff but from time to time I will run the auto tracer, then remove all the silly stuff and do the rest by hand aka time saver. My suggestion is to layout the parts very close to the schematic as a starting point which typically vastly reduces the routing complexity (parts who need each other are close to each other). That get's ruined some if using lots of reference points in the schematic but nevertheless, the learning curve for what most of us need to do in Eagle is pretty small and usually 10 videos and a day or two of determination from being a reality. Was for me anyway.

[ulysses]

i always liked circuitmaker 2000 and traxmaker
there was a free version (limited to parts) on the web a while ago

the domain circuitmaker.com is still live but they seem to be doing a new version for free although i have not tried it

cheers

[peterg]

I use Express PCB. Not sure how it compares to Eagle but it works for me.

[tca]

Welcome.

I used to play with http://pcb.geda-project.org/ A free software project that you can contribute to. Works in GNU/Linux, Windows and Mac.

Cheers.

P.S.

I forgot, and gschem from: http://www.geda-project.org/

[Fender3D]

+1 on KiCAD

check this http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=107956.msg982478#msg982478
an interactive autorouter is way better and useful than usual autorouters...

And it has many useful features not included in Eagle, (pads positioning, Larry?  )

[vigilante397]

I've used Altium, which is incredibly powerful (and expensive) and about the least intuitive thing in the world. I was a big fan of ExpressPCB as it's remarkably intuitive and powerful enough for any pedal, but it doesn't let you convert to gerber files. Still works if you're planning on toner transfer and etching, but not if you're milling boards or having them milled by a company.

Currently I use DipTrace (mentioned above), and it has all the intuitive-ness (real word?) of ExpressPCB but it's a lot more flexible. It's especially great if you have the DIY libraries available on the MadBean forum.

And welcome, by the way

[davent]

Robot Room has free software they say will convert ExpressPCB files to gerbers, haven't tried it. Never going to send out to have boards commercially produced so i get along fine with ExpressPCB, super easy to learn, free and many custom component libraries scattered around the net.

http://www.robotroom.com/CopperConnection/Converting-Express-PCB-Files.html
http://www.expresspcb.com/
dave

ed. spelling

[MrBinns]

kicad

[vigilante397]

Robot Room has free software they say will comvert ExpressPCB files to gerbers, haven't tried it. Never going to send out to have boards commercially produced so i get along fine with ExpressPCB, super easy to learn, free and many custom component libraries scattered around the net.

http://www.robotroom.com/CopperConnection/Converting-Express-PCB-Files.html
http://www.expresspcb.com/
dave

I tried it, but the "free software" is a bit of a trick if I remember right. The software is free but you have to pay to register an account to actually save your gerber files. If I remember right CopperCAM, the program I use to convert gerber files to G-code, can open ExpressPCB files though.

[Transmogrifox]

Welcome.

I used to play with http://pcb.geda-project.org/ A free software project that you can contribute to. Works in GNU/Linux, Windows and Mac.

Cheers.

P.S.

I forgot, and gschem from: http://www.geda-project.org/

Really excellent software package and I prefer the schematic capture over KiCad schematic capture. 

I found the learning curve going from schematic to footprints to PCB is a little steeper because you actually have to know what you're doing -- thus the learning curve.

It's intuitive once you learn the system and the work flow.  It just took me longer to make a "first project" with geda than it did with KiCAD.  Geda also includes a far more comprehensive design suite (ie simulation and analysis).  I'm still not proficient with geda because I keep falling back on KiCad as a crutch

[bloxstompboxes]

I gotta give another vote for diptrace. Seems easier than Eagle to use. You can do 3D images of the finished board, etch it, or export gerbers.