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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Layout software???

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5/5/1999 6:08 AM
Ben	Layout software??? What is your favorite layout software and why??

5/5/1999 8:29 AM
R.G.	Read the Guitar Effects FAQ. Easytrax. Available as a free download from Protel, no limits with respect to hobby effects layouts. Fairly simple to use once you get used to it. Outputs to printer, plotter, postscript, gerber, and NCdrill tape. Works under Win95/98 in the dos box. I laid out every one of the PCB layouts at GEO with it.

5/5/1999 8:35 AM
Paul Perry	I'm not a computer type of guy, so a prog has to have a FLAT learning curve for me. My vote is for PIA, PCB Interactive Assistant from Germany. I think it was $50 or so to register. The only PCB prog simple enough for me. Tom Henry at Midwest Analog Products recommends it, I think.

5/5/1999 9:38 AM

I use Pads Perform. It's a $5000+ package. Too expensive for the individual but it's what we have at work and I use it all the time there. Since I now only live .5 miles from work, it's not a problem to run in and do it all here. I can draw up a schematic, export it to the PCB software, layout the design, expose and etch the boards, and finally assemble them (TS-808 clone as an example) all in less than 2 hours.

Pads has a pretty high learning curve but I have been using it for the past 7 years.

--johng

5/5/1999 10:31 AM

Hello folks. I use OrCAD Layout Plus here at work, it's an approx. $10K package with two autorouters and more features than you can shake a stick at. If they ever get the latest release right, I would recommend it. However, if you are looking for a home package, $10K is probably a little steep.

For free, the best I have seen is the old Microsim demo CD. It has a restricted version of their PCB package; everything works, even the autorouter. Our engineers here use it for their personal designs. Unfortunately, you cannot get the CD anymore as Microsim was bought by OrCAD. You may be able to find someone with a spare CD. Good luck!

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