PCB Layout Software Sucking

R

Richard Harris

Guest
Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.
 
I am a grade 12 student. I used Express PCB in my Computer Engineering
class too. I had to design PCBs with it and then had to export it to
photoshop to line it up and print out multiple copies. Except for that,
i think it was simple enough. What do you have in mind when you say
that the software makes the process complex and time consuming?
 
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
See my notes and links to some 60 ECAD programs at
http://www.terrypin.dial.pipex.com/ECADList.html

Terry Pinnell
Hobbyist, West Sussex, UK
 
"Omair" <omair.majid@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106634148.729388.62690@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
I am a grade 12 student. I used Express PCB in my Computer Engineering
class too. I had to design PCBs with it and then had to export it to
photoshop to line it up and print out multiple copies. Except for that,
i think it was simple enough. What do you have in mind when you say
that the software makes the process complex and time consuming?
Click to expand...
Most pacakges (Not Express PCB) require you to do about 4 mouse clicks just
to draw a single trace. And before that you have to setup trace sizes etc.

When you try to do double layer PCB's with Express PCB you can't print the
out withou lots of grid markers and grey background, If you want to do
double layer PCB's you have to make two designs and then try line them up.
 
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> schreef in bericht
news:ct50c5$sg0$1@hercules.btinternet.com...
"Omair" <omair.majid@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106634148.729388.62690@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
I am a grade 12 student. I used Express PCB in my Computer Engineering
class too. I had to design PCBs with it and then had to export it to
photoshop to line it up and print out multiple copies. Except for that,
i think it was simple enough. What do you have in mind when you say
that the software makes the process complex and time consuming?


Most pacakges (Not Express PCB) require you to do about 4 mouse clicks
just
to draw a single trace. And before that you have to setup trace sizes etc.

When you try to do double layer PCB's with Express PCB you can't print the
out withou lots of grid markers and grey background, If you want to do
double layer PCB's you have to make two designs and then try line them up.
Click to expand...
If you are easily frustated, don't ever try Orcad Layout. Though, after a
few years working with it you'll learn its quirks.

Jeroen
 
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ct4m77$p1d$1@titan.btinternet.com...
Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you
down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im
looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Say Rich,
Ya seem to be in a bit of a hurry?
The stuff you are dealing with is not quite as straightforward as first
glance. Without going into "Little Grasshopper" type jokes I would
recommend a little more "lurking" and theoretical study before making
sweeping statements. Don't always take the stuff you have been fed in study
as absolute !!
Best wishes in your efforts in an engrossing subject.

--
Regards ..... Rheilly Phoull
 
On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 05:41:59 +0000 (UTC), "Richard Harris"
<richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
PADS is pretty good. But PCB layout is inherently complex, at least if
you're doing semi-serious stuff like surface mount, multilayers, all
that. Schematic netlist input/check is mandatory, support for changes,
back annotation, ref desig resequencing, part library maintanance, pad
stack editing, poured shapes, design rules and connectivity
checking... you need all that stuff. PC layout is NOT just drawing;
try using Autocad and see.

John
 
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ct4m77$p1d$1@titan.btinternet.com...
Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you
down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im
looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Are you a 'C/C++ WIN32 API developer'?

DNA
 
"Terry Pinnell" <terrypinDELETE@THESEdial.pipex.com> wrote in message
news:tvsbv0dfqu3j30areeekt4v36f39hup9u2@4ax.com...
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you
down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im
looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.

See my notes and links to some 60 ECAD programs at
http://www.terrypin.dial.pipex.com/ECADList.html

Terry Pinnell
Hobbyist, West Sussex, UK
Click to expand...
Well, I'm a professional R&D design engineer, including PCB-routing
and yes, layout is more complex as it appears at first glance, many things
to be taken into account
I've been using PCad the early years (upto V6), it was a magnificent package
to even begin to understand layouts
(PCad now taken over by I believe Altium - Protel? They made it real rubbish
now)
Latest I've been using Orcad Layout Plus, Capture CIS and Orcad Smartroute
and even if not perfect it's far out one of the best and most intuitive
having most of the high-end features
Anything less than that is almost to be considered "junk usable for simple
drawings"

I've seen Express-PCB once, looks a bit like Ultiboard to me... good for a
hobbyist, but it all depends on your needs of course

And yes, starting a new layout-software project might be tempting, but
already there are too many free things around.... it only takes the time to
actually SEE how layout works

a bad masonrist ALWAYS accuses his tools for any faults you know....
 
Yes.

"Genome" <ilike_spam@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:6CvJd.925$d14.479@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ct4m77$p1d$1@titan.btinternet.com...
Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around
and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you
down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im
looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on
a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.



Are you a 'C/C++ WIN32 API developer'?

DNA
Click to expand...
 
There's a horrible rule with layout (and capture) software: The more
power you want, the harder it is to use :)

If you want support for 36+ layers, multi gigahertz routing, advanced
autorouting, spice integration and all the other bells and whistles of
high end solutions, then the simple fact of it being so configurable is
going to make it hard (initially) to use.

Even Allegro Expert can be simple - once it is set up. Get the board
up, position the cursor, Shift+F1 and start drawing a trace. I will
admit it takes days to set up a new board though, once everything is
done.

So the answer to your question is: If you have a simple board, yes it's
difficult; but vendors don't see much money in the low end. As noted
elsewhere in the thread, there are plenty of free- and share-ware
solutions if you just have a simple board to do.

PeteS
 
So much to learn. So much to understand.

I have a habit of hitting some thing new head on. Presistance.

"Rheilly Phoull" <Rheilly@bigpong.com> wrote in message
news:35mq4rF4non2eU1@individual.net...
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ct4m77$p1d$1@titan.btinternet.com...
Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around
and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you
down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im
looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working on
a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.



Say Rich,
Ya seem to be in a bit of a hurry?
The stuff you are dealing with is not quite as straightforward as first
glance. Without going into "Little Grasshopper" type jokes I would
recommend a little more "lurking" and theoretical study before making
sweeping statements. Don't always take the stuff you have been fed in
study
as absolute !!
Best wishes in your efforts in an engrossing subject.

--
Regards ..... Rheilly Phoull
Click to expand...
 
"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ct4m77$p1d$1@titan.btinternet.com...
Hi,
anyone here using a good board layout software, I have looked around
and
they all seem rubish, overly complicated interfaces that just slow you
down
and make the task far to time consuming and complex. The only one I
have
come accross that comes near to being usable is Express PCB. Also Im
looking
for any C/C++ WIN32 API developers that may be interested in working
on
a
joint project to create a simple layout editor.

Thanks.



"Genome" <ilike_spam@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:6CvJd.925$d14.479@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...


Are you a 'C/C++ WIN32 API developer'?

DNA



"Richard Harris" <richard_harris_2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
Click to expand...
news:ct6458$npa$1@titan.btinternet.com...
Yes.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand.

You have identified the problems and you have the skills.

Therefore?

DNA
 
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