new open-source layout software

[thereverend]

might be useful to someone
http://fritzing.org/

it does schematics, breadboards and pcb layouts.

[andrew_k]

Wow, early days yet but that project has fantastic potential. Thanks for the heads-up!

[kupervaser]

I agree!

[Naz Nomad]

Finally ... bye bye DIYLC.

[thereverend]

Finally ... bye bye DIYLC.

i wouldnt say that since this thing doesnt do perf or vero layouts.

[Naz Nomad]

... yet. 

Anywayz, I use Lochmaster for that.

[guitarman89]

Thanks for the link! On my notebook (sorry for Vista ) i can't install my version of Orcad. So this is very useful and simple!

[Kearns892]

I'm having trouble getting it to download right now, but I am looking forward to trying this out.

[Kearns892]

Seems very limited as of now, ( I understand its still in development of course) and maybe I'm just stupid, but the only way I could 9 volts goign to the bread board was by using a bunch of AAs. Have you guys had any success with this?

[edvard]

Since I'm a Linux user, I'll definitely be trying this out, but I fear it'll suffer the same drawbacks that a lot of open-source projects do.
<Edit>
I was about to post a rant on open-source projects in general and how EDA software specifically needs a few kicks in the pants, but I think I'll stick to hoping this one turns out ok.
I'll post back after testing.

[octfrank]

Since I'm a Linux user, I'll definitely be trying this out, but I fear it'll suffer the same drawbacks that a lot of open-source projects do.
<Edit>
I was about to post a rant on open-source projects in general and how EDA software specifically needs a few kicks in the pants, but I think I'll stick to hoping this one turns out ok.
I'll post back after testing.

Since you're a linux user, have you tried the gEDA set http://www.gpleda.org/index.html? A bit frustrating to start but very powerful. If you've used high end design s/w in the past, you'll like the control that it allows in gschem and PCB.

[edvard]

That was part of what my rant was going to be about. 

Suffice to say that I found gEDA to be a mess out of the box, and a bear to use.
Although it made a decent pcb at the end of it all, which is more than I can say about Kicad.
Kicad was WAY easier to use, but the pcb output was , let's say 'disappointing'.
Square trace ends breaking path at the corners, no holes in the pads, round pads come out as some weird freeform teardrop shape, etc.
Somebody at the dev team needs an edumacation before they muck around with postscript output.
I use Eagle because it's free, they have a native Linux version and the pcb output is great, but I could go on all day about the 'features' that drive me bug-nuts.

I REALLY hope this Fritzing project does well.

[slacker]

Since you're a linux user, have you tried the gEDA set http://www.gpleda.org/index.html?

That's what i use, once you get used to it gschem's great for drawing schematics. I've never used the rest of the suite though.

[Rawkgod]

thanks

[octfrank]

Since you're a linux user, have you tried the gEDA set http://www.gpleda.org/index.html?

That's what i use, once you get used to it gschem's great for drawing schematics. I've never used the rest of the suite though.

I've done a number of boards with the suite and once you get used to the flow, it is a powerful set of s/w. PCB has always given me good boards, a few things it does bugs me but nothing I can't live with. Nice postscript output for printing to press and peel.

[edvard]

When I upgraded from Xubuntu 8.10 to 9.04, I didn't re-install gEDA because all I remember is it took me hours just to get started and two days to get a pcb output.
Very nice pcb, but it really needs to be simpler.

Maybe I'll try it again, and post more about my experiences in a gEDA thread.
For now, I'm going to try out Fritzing and see what happens...

[The Tone God]

I'm a FreeBSD user. I stopped using gEDA awhile back. You guys should check out kicad. Better integration amongst the different parts. Better interface. Updated more often.

Andrew

[edvard]

How was your experience with making pc boards?
The one I did with Kicad was horrible.
I liked the interface, but there's no excuse for such a sloppy board.

[The Tone God]

I have had no problems doing boards routed manually. The netlist file links nicely with the DRC.

Are you talking about the auto router ?

Andrew

[edvard]

No, I'm talking about the postscript output of the PCB part.
The autorouter worked a peach, but the actual printout was pretty disappointing.
Maybe I'll try it again so I can give an example.