424
edits
Guides/PCB Fabrication: Difference between revisions
From London Hackspace Wiki
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
These packages often have quite a steep learning curve, so you may need to invest some time into learning them for the first time. | These packages often have quite a steep learning curve, so you may need to invest some time into learning them for the first time. | ||
Below is not intended as a comprehensive list, just a guide to the packages you are most likely to encounter. | |||
=== CadSoft EAGLE === | |||
Probably the most widely used, [[File:Eagle screenshot.jpg|thumb|right|300px]][http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/product-overview/?language=en CadSoft EAGLE], allows you to do schematic capture and PCB design. In the free version, the useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches), only two signal layers can be used and the schematic editor can only create one sheet. The [http://uk.farnell.com/cadsoft/lsr-1ss/eagle-pcb-tool-lsr-hobbyist-1user/dp/2067881?Ntt=eagle+hobbyist Hobbyist license] costs £120. The layout area is restricted to a maximum of 160mm x 100mm (6.3inch x 3.9inch), a schematic can consist of a maximum of 99 sheets and a maximum number of 6 signal layers are allowed. Many thousands of components in Farnell's catalog are associated with EAGLE libraries. | |||
SparkFun have a lot of [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/tags/eagle excellent EAGLE tutorials] which can help you get started. | There are a number of tutorials available on the [http://www.cadsoftusa.com/training/tutorials/ Cadsoft website] and also [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG0O9LKH-_E&feature=share&list=PLB4C63828A483E756 youtube]. SparkFun have a lot of [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/tags/eagle excellent EAGLE tutorials] which can help you get started. | ||
Runs on Windows, Linux or Mac. | |||
[[Project:PCB_Design_with_Eagle_CAD]] | [[Project:PCB_Design_with_Eagle_CAD]] | ||
| Line 26: | Line 28: | ||
There is a full [http://www.kicad-pcb.org/display/KICAD/Tutorials Getting Started guide] on the KiCad website, as well as various tutorials on [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kicad+tutorials youtube] to help you get started. | There is a full [http://www.kicad-pcb.org/display/KICAD/Tutorials Getting Started guide] on the KiCad website, as well as various tutorials on [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kicad+tutorials youtube] to help you get started. | ||
Runs on Windows, Linux or Mac. | |||
=== DesignSpark PCB === | === DesignSpark PCB === | ||
[http://www.rs-online.com/designspark/electronics/eng/page/designspark-pcb-home-page DesignSpark PCB] is free, has unlimited schematic sheets per project, up to 1m squared of board size and no limits on layers. It can be used for schematic capture, PCB board design & layout, generating 3D views, and generating manufacturing files. | [http://www.rs-online.com/designspark/electronics/eng/page/designspark-pcb-home-page DesignSpark PCB] is free, has unlimited schematic sheets per project, up to 1m squared of board size and no limits on layers. It can be used for schematic capture, PCB board design & layout, generating 3D views, and generating manufacturing files. Generating a BOM gives RS Components order numbers as RS Components are behind it, promoting it as an alternative to Eagle CAD now that Farnell Components own Cadsoft. | ||
Runs on Windows, not natively on Linux nor Mac. | |||
=== DipTrace === | |||
[http://www.diptrace.com/ DipTrace] is very intuitive, offers schematic capture, PCB layout, component library creation and 3D modeling. There is a free version, ''DipTrace Lite'' which allows 500 pins and, 2 signal layers for non-commercial use. It does not have a board size limitation. It can read Eagle files and import Eagle libraries and parts. | |||
Runs on Windows, Linux or Mac. | |||
=== Fritzing === | === Fritzing === | ||
[http://fritzing.org/home/ Fritzing] is open source, free software, devoted to making creative use of electronics accessible to everyone. It can be seen as an electronic design automation (EDA) tool for non-engineers. It uses a breadboard prototyping as | [http://fritzing.org/home/ Fritzing] is open source, free software, devoted to making creative use of electronics accessible to everyone. It can be seen as an electronic design automation (EDA) tool for non-engineers. It uses a breadboard prototyping as a design input metaphor. | ||
Runs on Windows, Linux or Mac. | |||
== Fabrication == | == Fabrication == | ||
