Best CAD software I have ever used! If you are creative it is even better. It's very intuitive and easy to learn.
Pretty much "WYSIWYG" What You See Is What You Get. Not tons of library parts, but so easy to modify and create
exactly what you want. Not tons of fancy features to get in your way. Just enough to do almost any board- probably
not the tool to layout today's PC motherboard or cell phone.
Example- if you want a bigger through hole pad, just change a number. If you want a easier to hand solder SMB pad change two numbers and you got it.
I've done hundreds of layouts over the years and only one tiny issue with a over lapping ground plane. My bad I think.
I messed up a couple of layouts by copy and pasting a part that was hooked to the ground plane and forgot
in the new layout to unground it. I like ORCAD schematic capture because it looks more professional than Express
Schematic software. On the flip side it may have caught my mistake.
I only do 2 layer boards with silkscreen and solder mask. Boards are quality and look professional.
Have also had a great tour of the plant and these guys love what they do. Price may be a little higher than some,
but proudly American made, local, with fast turnaround. Great help menu, but if needed good customer support also- almost a thing of the past!
I would BUY this program for PCB design and schematic capture if only I could get the design information in a standard format and choose my own PCB supplier. ExpressPCB doesn't do that. You're stuck with them as a supplier. So, I use ExpressPCB to make small board layout and transfer them by hand to KICAD. Sadly KICAD still can't do "rubber banding of components and traces. Ugh.
Comments (5)
Pretty much "WYSIWYG" What You See Is What You Get. Not tons of library parts, but so easy to modify and create
exactly what you want. Not tons of fancy features to get in your way. Just enough to do almost any board- probably
not the tool to layout today's PC motherboard or cell phone.
Example- if you want a bigger through hole pad, just change a number. If you want a easier to hand solder SMB pad change two numbers and you got it.
I've done hundreds of layouts over the years and only one tiny issue with a over lapping ground plane. My bad I think.
I messed up a couple of layouts by copy and pasting a part that was hooked to the ground plane and forgot
in the new layout to unground it. I like ORCAD schematic capture because it looks more professional than Express
Schematic software. On the flip side it may have caught my mistake.
I only do 2 layer boards with silkscreen and solder mask. Boards are quality and look professional.
Have also had a great tour of the plant and these guys love what they do. Price may be a little higher than some,
but proudly American made, local, with fast turnaround. Great help menu, but if needed good customer support also- almost a thing of the past!
Download and enjoy!!!