| Author |
Message |
XpanderXT
Joined: Oct 22, 2007
Posts: 137
Location: the flat universe
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:
PCB layout tools for Mac |
  |
|
| anyone know of a good cheap PCB layout tool for Macs? |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
 |
blue hell
Site Admin
Joined: Apr 03, 2004
Posts: 24451
Location: The Netherlands, Enschede
Audio files: 297
G2 patch files: 320
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Moved your message to a place that I think is more suitable for it.
_________________
Jan
also .. could someone please turn down the thermostat a bit.
 |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
DrJustice
Joined: Sep 13, 2004
Posts: 2112
Location: Morokulien
Audio files: 4
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Eagle is a multi platform schematic and PCB package. It's quite good. You can get a freeware version which has limited board size and layers, but is still usable for smaller boards. I've used the Windows freeware version for making a board for a friend. We used Olimex for manufacturing the boards - they will take the native Eagle project files and send finished PCBs back to you at a very good price.
There are other choices too, but I don't know any of those (not using Apples myself):
http://www.capilano.com/
PCBWarrior
gEDA (there's a Mac port available)
DJ
-- |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 6221
Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:30 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Thanks for asking and thanks for the reply, I've been thinking about this for some time, will give Eagle a try.
_________________
"Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 6221
Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:11 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Eagle looks excellent, but has no dsPIC symbols.
_________________
"Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
yusynth
Joined: Nov 24, 2005
Posts: 1314
Location: France
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
DrJustice
Joined: Sep 13, 2004
Posts: 2112
Location: Morokulien
Audio files: 4
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:14 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| Inventor wrote: | | Eagle looks excellent, but has no dsPIC symbols. |
Here's a bunch of Eagle libraries, including one or two with the dsPIC. There's even more Eagle libraries out there. In any case, Eagle has an excellent library editor, and creating new components is something one may have to do now and then, even with the most high end EDA tools, as new components are introduced all the time.
DJ
-- |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
DrJustice
Joined: Sep 13, 2004
Posts: 2112
Location: Morokulien
Audio files: 4
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:33 am Post subject:
|
|
|
This is now taken over and maintained in a commercial capacity by Capilano, according to the Osmond page. Capilano offer a limited freeware version called 'DesignWorks Lite' and 'Osmond PCB' which together cover schematics and PCB design - I assume those are more recent.
DJ
-- |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
bubblechamber
Joined: Nov 04, 2006
Posts: 280
Location: NYC
Audio files: 1
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:58 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| I've been using Osmond for about a year and I really love it. I have yet to hit the 750 hole limit of the demo and you can import PDFs as templates. That makes laying out a PCB for a front panel that I laid out in Illustrator extremely easy and accurate. I've built a library of common parts and I'd be happy to share... |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 6221
Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
| DrJustice wrote: | | Inventor wrote: | | Eagle looks excellent, but has no dsPIC symbols. |
Here's a bunch of Eagle libraries, including one or two with the dsPIC. There's even more Eagle libraries out there. In any case, Eagle has an excellent library editor, and creating new components is something one may have to do now and then, even with the most high end EDA tools, as new components are introduced all the time.
DJ
-- |
Thanks for the library link, DJ. BTW, anyone adding Eagle libraries, you must enable the library by clicking on it's dot in the library menu or it won't show up in schematics. This got me frustrated, so obviously I'm too short tempered for CAD at the moment, but I thought I would share. Hrumph on me for being impatient!
_________________
"Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
DrJustice
Joined: Sep 13, 2004
Posts: 2112
Location: Morokulien
Audio files: 4
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Like all CAD tools, Eagle has it's quirks, but I think it's worth the effort to persevere and become friends with it. It's one of the few (the only?) pro-level EDA package that runs on all of "the three big platforms" (great for community projects...). Give it some time Les, and I'm sure you'll be fine 
DJ
-- |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Inventor
Stream Operator
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 6221
Location: near Austin, Tx, USA
Audio files: 267
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
| DrJustice wrote: | Like all CAD tools, Eagle has it's quirks, but I think it's worth the effort to persevere and become friends with it. It's one of the few (the only?) pro-level EDA package that runs on all of "the three big platforms" (great for community projects...). Give it some time Les, and I'm sure you'll be fine
DJ
-- |
Yeah, I was even extra-grumpy for personal reasons, but I feel certain that you are right. PCB CAD, cross-platform, and pro-level quality is nothing to smirk at for sure. Why, it's an enabling technology that lets your dreams become realities, isn't it? Thanks for the patient words, DJ.
_________________
"Let's make noise for peace." - Kijjaz |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software » Developers' Corner
FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Chat Room
