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Post by kiloamp on Feb 23, 2017 15:02:51 GMT -8
Hello, I'm hoping some one here can point me in the right direction to some software so I can either draw or import a schematic then convert it to circuit board traces that I can print with my laser printer. I have been looking around but can not get a description with enough info for home etching purposes. I already know and do the etching, but need better way to go from schematic to pcb traces other than a sharpie and a steady hand.
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Post by kiloamp on Feb 23, 2017 18:38:39 GMT -8
Well I was looking at Circuit maker and it looked good till I discovered it is cloud based so can't be used offline. No good for me as I only have internet four months a year. Still searching..........................
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Post by lamazoid on Feb 24, 2017 8:21:12 GMT -8
There is no software which can do this FULLY automatic. For hobby use, the best is "Sprint Layout" , but it's intended for manual draw. Or either you can start learning some of "industry standard" programs like Altium Designer or Proteus. They have powerful autorouting features and even 3-d visualization of circuit boards
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Post by kiloamp on Feb 24, 2017 15:05:02 GMT -8
Yes I know there is no fully automatic software and isn't Proteus, Altium and Circuit maker all the same company now and are cloud based, not good if I only have internet 4 months a year. I will have a look at the Sprint layout, haven't heard of this one till now thanks.
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Post by Gary Lecomte on Feb 25, 2017 8:21:01 GMT -8
Sprint is probably the best one for you. I also use it, But it is Not Free Software.
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Post by kiloamp on Feb 25, 2017 13:19:15 GMT -8
Gary you answered my next question, thanks. As long as you don't have to have an Internet connection to use it, reading the info on it and so far so good. I also came across one called Fritzing, anyone have experience with it ?
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Post by Gary Lecomte on Feb 26, 2017 6:12:45 GMT -8
No Internet Required for Sprint.
I Never Heard of Fritzing.
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Post by retiredat55 on Feb 26, 2017 6:19:38 GMT -8
@gary Fritzing can be used to draw circuits on a breadboard and make a PCB design after that. I never used it myself, but this information is from the description. Eagle Layout Editor is used a lot here. It has a free version and works on a stand alone PC. Download at : www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/overview
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Post by Gary Lecomte on Feb 26, 2017 6:52:27 GMT -8
Thanks Retiredat55, I use Sprint 6.0 and I am happy with it, So I will stick with it.
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Post by retiredat55 on Feb 26, 2017 7:03:46 GMT -8
Yes of course, but the last phrase was meant for kiloamp.
Take care
Dante
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Post by kiloamp on Feb 26, 2017 8:12:14 GMT -8
Thanks for the info retiredat55, I'm slowly reading about some of these programs and hope to pick one soon.
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Post by lamazoid on Feb 28, 2017 0:55:30 GMT -8
If you intend to use only FREE software, i suggest to look at KiCad - kicad-pcb.org/And also, i use Proteus, and never heard of its Internet dependency More of it, my firewall prevents network access to any apps except white list, and proteus is not in that list
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Post by kiloamp on Feb 28, 2017 6:36:31 GMT -8
Thanks Lamazoid , and you are right it was Protel not Proteus that was bought by Altium who is cloud dependent.
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Post by nsoajc on Apr 14, 2019 15:07:07 GMT -8
junk
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Post by oswj on Apr 21, 2019 9:06:22 GMT -8
junk
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