The most practICal and powerful PCB design software recommendation

PCB design software generally includes two modules: schematIC design and PCB design. Now the mainstream PCB design software is respectively PROTEL, ORCAD, VIEWLOGIC, PowerPCB, CADENCE PSD, Expedition PCB of MENTORGRAPHICS, Zuken CADSTART, WINboard/WINDRAFT/IVEX-SPICE, PCB Studio, TANGO

PCB design software generally includes two modules: schematic design and PCB design.

The current mainstream PCB design software are the Expedition PCB of PROTEL, ORCAD, VIEWLOGIC, POWERPCB, CADENCE PSD, MENTORGRAPHICS, Zuken CADSTART, WINBOARD/WINDRAFT/IVEX-SPICE, PCB Studio, TANGO, PCBWIZARD (PCB production software package matched with LIVEWIRE), ultiBOARD7 (PCB production software package matched with multiSIM2001), and so on. PROTEL software is most widely used in China, but the number of users using pads is also increasing.

Nothing is better than free, even PCB software. It cannot be said that more expensive software is better than free software. In this article, we will take a look at some popular PCB design platforms in the past, which are updated from time to time. First of all, define a standard. The software we select below is the software that has been updated at least once in the past two years.

1、ZENTIPCB

ZENTIPCB is a ZENTIPCB platform from MIRKO BRUNO SORTINI, which provides a series of free software to help users design their own PCBs. ZENTICAPTURE allows users to quickly and easily design schematics using a simple toolset, which allows users to place parts (component symbols) through orthogonal locking and pin snapping. Once the schematics (in the form of diagrams) are complete, they can be migrated to ZENTIPCB.

ZENTIPCB is a CAD based program that allows users to import netlist files and visualize their diagrams. The layout editor provides the function of importing components directly from the library using cursors, and supports single-sided and double-sided boards according to different requirements.

2、TINYCAD

TINYCAD from SOURCEFORGE users BEISCHER, DON_ LUCAS and MATTPYNE. Don't underestimate this software because of its name. This software provides all functions of PCB design and wiring design. The software contains 42 libraries, 755 symbols in total, including digital logic gate circuits, electromechanical components and even microcontrollers. In addition, each component can be edited, and users can even add their own component symbols. TINYCAD supports multiple netlist formats (Eagle SCR, PADS-PCB, XML, etc.), and can also generate SPICE netlists.

3、COMETCAD

COMETCAD is another excellent case of free software platform, which provides an electronic circuit schematic editor and a PCB wiring editor. This software only supports the Windows platform. COMETCAD electronic circuit schematic editor supports multi page schematic diagram, symbol rotation, parts list and net list schematic diagram output. PCB wiring editor provides almost all the functions mentioned above (component library, double-sided PCB, etc.), and also has the function of outputting CAM files. At the same time, it can be used to design rectangular multi PCB boards.

4、BSch3V

Those who do not want unnecessary functions but only need the most basic functions can try SUIGYODO's BSch3V schematic capture package (where BSCH represents the basic schematic). The PCB editor allows users to design single-layer, double-layer, or even four layer PCB boards with a design area of 30 square millimeters. It also has a component library, a component list generator and a net list generator. Users can also use two other software to enhance the functions of BSch3V, including SMDICPAD (used to obtain QFP, PLCC, SOP data) and POLYGON (the area where copper is placed).

5、Designer

The Designer of PCWEB is one of the most functional editors on the network, and it can also be used for free. The software has an impressive portfolio of tools, including Schematic Capture (placing components, wiring/networks, notes, etc.), PCB (placing components, wiring, design rule checking, etc.) and Part Editor (creating/defining components, adding symbols, etc.). In addition, it also includes BOM functions. The BOM manager integrates DIGI-KEY, allowing users to assign a number to each individual component on their PCB, This number will be displayed in the BOM to facilitate purchase. This software is conducive to efficient production.

6、FRITZING

The FRITZING platform is not only a simple PCB editor, but also designed for makers and hackers to actually create their own designs. The purpose of its design is to enable users to realize their design based on Arduino microcontroller and create PCB wiring that can be used in production. Once the user has designed an actual circuit on the breadboard, it can then be transferred to the editor, which contains three different project perspectives. The breadboard perspective allows users to drag and place virtual electronIC components on the virtual breadboard. Schematic view is the formal expression of schematic diagram, which is the corresponding circuit on the virtual breadboard, but users can also edit it as needed. Finally, the PCB perspective allows the user to place components on a virtual printed circuit board, which can then be used for production.

7、KICAD

The most popular PCB free editor on the Internet can be said to be KICAD, which is an EDA tool similar to FRITZING above. This software provides the function of virtual environment at each stage of the design process. The components included are EESCHEMA (schematic editor), PCBNEW (printed circuit board editor), GERBVIEW (GERBER file viewer) and CVPCB (for component association path selector). In addition, there is a built-in BOM manager, which allows users to MARK bills of materials and easily calculate costs.

8、DESIGNSPARK

The PCB platform of DESIGNSPARK is another widely used PCB editing tool for EDA applications. Similar to the two tools mentioned above, DESIGNSPARK PCB provides the function of schematic diagram editing, PCB WIZARD is used to improve the schematic diagram, and AUTOROUTER can complete the automatic wiring between components. But the software does have some things to pay attention to. For example, the software is very resource hungry. If the project does not exist on the same computer, problems may occur. In addition, some functions must be unlocked after the user has registered. The worst thing is that the software also displays advertisements.

9、GEDA

Although in fact most PCB software runs on Windows based computers, some are designed for Linux users, including the GEDA project of Ales HVEZDA, which provides a collaborative open source EDA tool. The part of collaboration refers to the continuous efforts of the collaborative developers to develop and update GEDA toolkits, including GEDA schematic capture and circuit design of netlist platform, PCB layout design and optimization, and ICARUS VERILOG (a hardware description language for analog electronic systems). It also includes NGSPICE/NGUCAP SPICE/Analog Emulator, GERBV Gerber Viewer and GTKWAVE Digital Waveform Viewer.

10、OSMAND PCB

A PCB editor for Mac comes from OSMAND PCB, which allows users to design PCB of almost any size and shape, and make as many layers as they want. The software can design cabling with spatial resolution as low as 10 nm and cabling at any angle, and supports imperial and metric units. OSMAND also allows users to move and reposition components, connect/route/modify paths, and use the libraries it contains to design PCB labels. This software also supports LUA language script support, which can generate Gerber (RS-274X) files and EXCELLON demonstration files. This is a luxury configuration for a free software.