How to get from FreePCB to AutoCad or just print; or suggest

[laylow]

Is there a way to get the PCB trace from FreePCB to AutoCad? I was
hoping that I would get lucky and just be able to copy and paste but
that hasn't worked at all.

I just gave CDNEX a shot too but without any luck. CDNEX is supposed
to be able to take the gerber files and translate them into .dxf. I
don't know anything about gerber files and when I try to run CDNEX I
get an error 20 after giving the layer number.

I could also possibly settle for being able to print from FreePCB but
although I see the option to print, it is always grayed out and won't
allow me.

I've been struggling my way through various free programs trying to
accomplish a goal and pretty much going with whatever programs I've
been able to figure out. Right now I am using:

LTSpice - for circuit simulation and netlist export.
FreePCB - for netlist import and component placing.
fpcroute - to export .dsn files.
freerouting.net - to do autorouting and export .ses files.
FreePCB - again to import the .ses files and do some final editing.

I would prefer to be able to get the graphics on to AutoCad so that I
can have full control of the PCBs appearance. I also like the way the
vector graphics print. I need to print so that I can produce the
occassional Gootee board.

Any suggestions on a suite of programs to accomplish all of this?
These are all free of course so I would prefer suggestions for free
programs but I might be willing to spend a total of about $200 to be
able to accomplish all of the above tasks. Also, I'm running
windows. I would love to run Linux but it is not an option for me
right now. Also, the last time I tried to use Cygwin I found it to be
a lesson in futility. In other words, the gEDA package sounds great
but I probably won't touch it unless it comes in a windows friendly
package.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
ll

 

[JeffM]

laylow wrote:

I've been struggling my way through various free programs
trying to accomplish a goal and pretty much
going with whatever programs I've been able to figure out.
Right now I am using:
LTSpice - for circuit simulation and netlist export.
FreePCB - for netlist import and component placing.
fpcroute - to export .dsn files.
freerouting.net - to do autorouting and export .ses files.
FreePCB - again to import the .ses files and do some final editing.

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.cad/browse_frm/thread/bc1bbe74982d60d4/e00cfa9db3d98af0?q=*-*-*-provided-schematic-entry-*-*+%20LTSpice.import+gschem.schematic.capture+zz-zz+qq+the.gEDA.Suite+uu+LTSpice-*-*-runs-any-syntactically-correct-SPICE-netlist

I would prefer to be able to get the graphics on to AutoCad

To a guy with a hammer, everything looks like a nail??

so that I can have full control of the PCBs appearance.

An "ECAD" seems so much more apt.

I need to print
so that I can produce the occassional Gootee board.
Any suggestions on a suite of programs to accomplish all of this?
These are all free of course
so I would prefer suggestions for free programs
but I might be willing to spend a total of about $200[...].
Also, I'm running windows.
I would love to run Linux but it is not an option for me right now.

Please *do* specify why not.

For $200 you could easily buy another HDD to use as a Linux partition.
Hell, you could probably use someone's cast-off HDD for free.

Also, the last time I tried to use Cygwin
I found it to be a lesson in futility.

....or was it a *libraries* problem?

I can see you now, screaming and tearing your hair out. 8-(
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:WTdypZlJUk4J:www.geda.seul.org/download.html+There.is.no.supported+Stuart.Brorson+depending.upon.your+Windows+only.works+Last.update+gEDA-is-free-*-*-*+your.*.*.expertise+theoretically.possible+*.*.yourself+version+ahvezda+distribution.and+2007+missing.dependencies+*-*-despair+Linux

In other words, the gEDA package sounds great

There's nothing more "free" than gratis AND libre.

but I probably won't touch it
unless it comes in a windows friendly package.

Considering the hoops you're already jumping thru

and your apparent unwillingness to add a Linux partition,
*this* would be no more cumbersome a solution
to getting gEDA working on a Windoze box:
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.cad/browse_frm/thread/3b6f24029a8b34cf/5ef0c2c6f82294d6?q=*-Knoppix-like-CD-with-gEDA-*-*+Quantian+dual-boot-*-*+Win-2000-or-XP+zzz+*-brand-spanking-new-*-*+zillions+*-distro-*-*-providing-open-source-scientific-and-engineering-apps
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.cad/browse_frm/thread/3b6f24029a8b34cf/ab1f73b31991144e?q=If.you.are.bandwidth-challenged+without.installing.a.single.thing+for-$2
..
..
In addition, if you are a Windoze user
and are such a fan of free software,
it's hard to believe you haven't stumbled across KiCAD.

 

[laylow]

On Jul 31, 11:53 am, JeffM <jef...@email.com> wrote:

laylow wrote:
[big snip]
I've been struggling my way through various free programs
trying to accomplish a goal and pretty much
going with whatever programs I've been able to figure out.
Right now I am using:
LTSpice - for circuit simulation and netlist export.
FreePCB - for netlist import and component placing.
fpcroute - to export .dsn files.
freerouting.net - to do autorouting and export .ses files.
FreePCB - again to import the .ses files and do some final editing.

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.cad/browse_frm/thread/...

I would prefer to be able to get the graphics on to AutoCad

To a guy with a hammer, everything looks like a nail??

You've got me all wrong, I'm a guy with a nail and everything looks
like a hammer!

so that I can have full control of the PCBs appearance.

An "ECAD" seems so much more apt.

[...]I need to print
so that I can produce the occassional Gootee board.
Any suggestions on a suite of programs to accomplish all of this?
These are all free of course
so I would prefer suggestions for free programs
but I might be willing to spend a total of about $200[...].
Also, I'm running windows.
I would love to run Linux but it is not an option for me right now.

Please *do* specify why not.
For $200 you could easily buy another HDD to use as a Linux partition.
Hell, you could probably use someone's cast-off HDD for free.

Okay, I'm happy to indulge anyone that has tried to help me. I can't
install Linux on my work pc, my pc at home is down and I haven't
touched it in months, and the HDD on my laptop is full. I used to
think of myself as a computer guy but lately I'm fed up with fixing
computers so I probably won't work on my pc until I have to. Other
than that, I don't have a good excuse for never installing Linux.
I've had Debian/Libranet on disc for years and have never got around
to installing it. Right now I am frustrated that I have spent more of
the past two weeks fooling around with computer programs instead of
actually building the PCB.

Also, the last time I tried to use Cygwin
I found it to be a lesson in futility.

...or was it a *libraries* problem?
I can see you now, screaming and tearing your hair out. 8-(http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:WTdypZlJUk4J:www.geda.seul.org/d...

The first time I ever heard of Cygwin was when I needed to do some CFD
Flow Modeling. Documentation was scarce and it seemed that everyone
assumed the end user was familiar with the process. I don't know if
it was more of a problem with Cygwin or with the CFD program. I would
fix my computer and install Linux before I ever try to use Cygwin
again.

In other words, the gEDA package sounds great

There's nothing more "free" than gratis AND libre.

but I probably won't touch it
unless it comes in a windows friendly package.

Considering the hoops you're already jumping thru
and your apparent unwillingness to add a Linux partition,
*this* would be no more cumbersome a solution
to getting gEDA working on a Windoze box:http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.cad/browse_frm/thread/...http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.cad/browse_frm/thread/...
.
.

I'm guessing here but it sounds like "a Knoppix like gEDA disc" is a
bootable CD that runs a Linux OS and allows gEDA to be run? That
would be cool.

In addition, if you are a Windoze user
and are such a fan of free software,
it's hard to believe you haven't stumbled across KiCAD.

Yes, hard to believe I guess. It looks very impressive, I think I'll
try it.

After this project is done, I probably will install Linux and go with
the gEDA. I just can't stand putting this project off anymore.

Thanks,
ll

 

[laylow]

On Jul 31, 10:11 am, laylow <lay...@antisocial.com> wrote:

Is there a way to get the PCB trace from FreePCB to AutoCad? I was
hoping that I would get lucky and just be able to copy and paste but
that hasn't worked at all.

I just gave CDNEX a shot too but without any luck. CDNEX is supposed
to be able to take the gerber files and translate them into .dxf. I
don't know anything about gerber files and when I try to run CDNEX I
get an error 20 after giving the layer number.

I could also possibly settle for being able to print from FreePCB but
although I see the option to print, it is always grayed out and won't
allow me.

--snip--

Further reading in the FreePCB documentation revealed that the
printing options haven't been implemented yet. It also suggested the
use of ViewMate 9.6 which I am able to print from just fine.

I'm still open to other suggestions to go from simulation>autorouting/
manual routing>printed PCB pattern.

Thanks all,
ll