John Tartar wrote in
. 70:

Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard
format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my
applications and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use
other vendors when the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.


Try gEDA -- free. Full suite of design software. Contain gschem to do
the schematic, then export to pcb [also in the package]. You can print
the layout 1:1 on a transparancy and make your own boards if you want.

Dr. G.

"Dr. Grok" wrote in newsx6_i.1105$OJ.401@trndny06:

John Tartar wrote in
. 70:

Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard
format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my
applications and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use
other vendors when the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.


Try gEDA -- free. Full suite of design software. Contain gschem to do
the schematic, then export to pcb [also in the package]. You can print
the layout 1:1 on a transparancy and make your own boards if you want.

Dr. G.


Thanks for all the suggestions. However, I should have mentioned that I'm
using Windows 98.

1) gEDA appears to be only for Linux & Mac.

2) I installed PCB artist, but thee's no component libraries, and the
prices for the small runs are about $100 higher than Express PCB

3) I'm not doing this for porfit, Ham radio is my hobby not my job, so
anything boards I make I will either give away, or sell at cost.

4) I'm off to try Eagle that Tim receomnded, 80x100mm 2 payer boards are
fine, all my designs are in PCB Expresses miniboard format.

John Tartar wrote:
"Dr. Grok" wrote in newsx6_i.1105$OJ.401@trndny06:


John Tartar wrote in
. 3.70:


Does anyone know of a simple, but free PCB layout software.

Or a way to convert .pcb files from EXPRESSPCB to industry standard
format.

I currently use ExpressPCBs layout s/w which is fine for my
applications and great for prototypes. But I want the option to use
other vendors when the volume gets high, i.e. selling kits.


Try gEDA -- free. Full suite of design software. Contain gschem to do
the schematic, then export to pcb [also in the package]. You can print
the layout 1:1 on a transparancy and make your own boards if you want.

Dr. G.



Thanks for all the suggestions. However, I should have mentioned that I'm
using Windows 98.

1) gEDA appears to be only for Linux & Mac.

2) I installed PCB artist, but thee's no component libraries, and the
prices for the small runs are about $100 higher than Express PCB

3) I'm not doing this for porfit, Ham radio is my hobby not my job, so
anything boards I make I will either give away, or sell at cost.

4) I'm off to try Eagle that Tim receomnded, 80x100mm 2 payer boards are
fine, all my designs are in PCB Expresses miniboard format.

I have used Protel Autotrax downloaded from
http://www.altium.com/Community/Support/Downloads/
It is DOS program but works perfectly with Windows 98
It can generate gerber files (industry standard) and has no board size
limitation

"John Tartar" wrote in message
. 70...


Thanks for all the suggestions. However, I should have mentioned that I'm
using Windows 98.

1) gEDA appears to be only for Linux & Mac.

??? I'm running it on XP (and Linux, too) -- there are standalone compiles
as well as Cygwin.

2) I installed PCB artist, but thee's no component libraries, and the
prices for the small runs are about $100 higher than Express PCB

Again, where are you getting this stuff?? The main problem seems to be that
there are so many libraries that it is difficult to locate the part you want
amidst all the noise

...

On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:26:51 -0000 in rec.radio.amateur.homebrew, John
Tartar wrote,
4) I'm off to try Eagle that Tim receomnded, 80x100mm 2 payer boards are
fine, all my designs are in PCB Expresses miniboard format.

I am also happy with the free version of Eagle, and I have run it under
Windows 98 in the past.

"John Tartar" wrote in message
. 70...
1) gEDA appears to be only for Linux & Mac.

People occasionally threaten to do Windows ports and some even begin, but
yeah, it doesn't exact seem to be "well supported" under Windows.

2) I installed PCB artist, but thee's no component libraries, and the
prices for the small runs are about $100 higher than Express PCB

Advanced Circuits will sell you 3 PCBs up to 60 sq. inches on a 2-layer board
for $99 (http://www.4pcb.com/index.php?load=content&page_id=130) ... if you
can de-panelize them yourself, it might be cheaper that way.

3) I'm not doing this for porfit, Ham radio is my hobby not my job, so
anything boards I make I will either give away, or sell at cost.

If you're going to sell them anyway, I can't imagine anyone will protest if
you tack on something extra to begin upgrading your software or hardware. :-)

4) I'm off to try Eagle that Tim receomnded, 80x100mm 2 payer boards are
fine, all my designs are in PCB Expresses miniboard format.

Eagle is good...

---Joel