PCB capture and spice

[Colin Wonfor]

PCB layout now days is made much simpler, when I first started it was tape and scalpel work and often long long hours.
I use 3 professional schematic capture program depending on what I need to do and how many layer of track I require and simulation work.
There is lots of Spice type program and the most easiest to use I found is from Linear Technology or LTC.
LTspice IV
Can be found here.
http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/#LTspice

Many other freebee can be found here.

http://download.cnet.com/s/pcb-layout-programs/

I prefer Proteus, with Orcad and whilst at Hughes Micro Electronic and Naim Audio I used Mentor Graphic.
Mentor Graphic is not for the faint hearted and is bloody hard to use.

https://www.mentor.com/uk/

http://www.orcad.com/

http://www.labcenter.com/products/pcb/pcb_overview.cfm

Some of these company will allow you to download a Demo or student version free but beware lots of limitations.

Now go have fun chaps.

[337alant]

Thanks Colin some good information there.
Being able to make my own circuit boards for DIY projects is something Ive been wanting to get my head round for ages so I think I will have a go at LT spice when I get some time off work.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge

Alan

[lurcher]

Eagle is another good tool that does have a free option, though its limited in size.

RS offer a pcb design tool that free and unlimited, so have a look at the RS website www.rswww.co.uk.

Once you have designed your PCB, its real easy now to get them made up, the one I use for prototypes is this one. The boards are made in China, and shipped back to the UK, only thing to watch is they often accrue customs charges on the way in, without that they are insainly cheap.

http://www.pcbway.com

[Starterman]

I moved from Eagle to KiCAD.

I really like the ease of changing package assignments with KiCAD and there is no restriction on pcb size.