Check this out... seems worth it for Windows Users

[aron]

http://kov.com/Purchase/FullVersionSpecialOffer.aspx

[R.G.]

I believe that Altium (used to be Protel) has made the old Autotrax package free for downloading. I don't know if this package may be an extra-value built on top of that or not. Autotrax was a DOS/Windows program; perhaps they have updated it for XP, etc.

[R O Tiree]

Get 'em while they're hot! 

[J0K3RX]

Just purchased it, downloaded and installed!  

Aron - Thanks for the heads up!!

[moosapotamus]

@JOK3RX - How's it working out for you? It's got to be easier than Eagle, right?

I'd love to find an intuitive schematic/PCB application that generates Gerbers. Need to ween myself off of expresspcb, so thinking about dropping some coin on this.

Thanks
~ Charlie

[boogietone]

... And how does it compare to Diptrace?

[moosapotamus]

Well, I downloaded and installed AutoTRAX and have 7 days left on the trial. So far my impression is that AutoTRAX might be a pretty nice software package for schematic and PCB design (and more).

But the documentation is really lame. It tells you all about what the software can do, but never actually tells you how to do it. There are not really any step-wise instructions for how to do basic tasks (i.e.: how to create and edit a schematic, and PCB, how to create Gerber files for manufacturing, etc...).

AutoTRAX does come with a few example project files. But without any sort of instructions or tutorials showing how those example files were created, I don't think they are very useful.

So, I haven't yet figured out how to do a complete project, schematic thru PCB. But I have figured out some stuff on my own.

To me, AutoTRAX appears to be a lot more intuitive than either Eagle or DipTrace, but at least those packages come with tutorials that actually tell you how to perform basic functions (as tedious and convoluted as they may be). I can't imagine anyone ever figuring out how to use Eagle or DipTrace without some comprehensive tutorials. But I've actually made some progress with AutoTRAX, so far. Maybe that's a good sign?

If I can complete a PCB design and generate Gerbers before my trial period expires, I might buy it... maybe.

~ Charlie

[J0K3RX]

Charlie,

Really? Did you see the 60+ video tutorials  
http://kov.com/Tutorials/Default.aspx

I ask that having not really messed with it much yet... Time is scarce!

[moosapotamus]

Yes, I saw them, Jim. Lots of videos. Very little useful information. Like I said, they seem to showoff what the software can do, but they don't really show you how to do it. Check out the titles of those videos, when you have a chance. They are pretty random, if you ask me. You won't find any straightforward basics, like "How to Create A Schematic" or "How to Design a PCB". Basic, nuts & bolts info seems to be scattered and buried, if it's there at all.

Just one example - I would like to know how to detach one end of a PCB trace (or just delete a section of a trace) and reroute it. Simple to do in something like ExpressPCB. But in AutoTRAX, when I try to do that, it deletes all of the traces in the entire node. If you are trying to edit the traces in a node that connects 4 or more components, that can be a real PITA. I've been browsing through all of their "tutorial" videos and have not been able to find any information about how to do that. Their videos and online manual do not appear (to me, anyway) to contain that kind of necessary level of detail.

If there are any existing AutoTRAX users out there, please chime in. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
~ Charlie

[greaser_au]

I believe that Altium (used to be Protel) has made the old Autotrax package free for downloading. I don't know if this package may be an extra-value built on top of that or not. Autotrax was a DOS/Windows program; perhaps they have updated it for XP, etc.

This is AutoTRAX DEX,  apparently unrelated to the old Protel/Altium Autotrax (which I used at college).   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autotrax

I spent a few hours trying to get the old protel 'abandonware' autotrax/easytrax to work on my W64 machine without success, despite a pile of sites that have instructions for making it happen on various other versions of 'doze. DEX is native Vista/7.

I really prefer to use my unix machine on the desktop, so I have been messing around with the  gEDA suite lately - the pain of making this happen is not for everybody, though.  In typical linux/gnu freeware style,  the parts libraries require some non-intuitive guesswork - e.g. polarised component ends are not standardised. 

It would be nice if  Aron is seeing some consideration from kov for the forum plug!

david

[Ronan]

Just my 2c here - Sprint Layout is easy to learn, does gerbers etc, but doesn't do a schematic, which makes it even faster for simple PCB's. It costs around $45. The free version has full capability but will not save a file, good for a test drive. I use it and love it. I've used protel and eagle, sprint layout is an easy learning curve, and ideal for pedal pcb's. I don't use the library, you can draw up elements as required, or use a previous layout as a "library".

[moosapotamus]

Thanks for mentioning Sprint Layout, Ian. Looks nice. I'm gonna try out the demo.

Thanks
~ Charlie