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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Recommend a PCB Layout Tool for a newbie?

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jdh2550
Regular Member

Joined: 16/07/2012
Location: United States
Posts: 62

Posted: 04:06am 25 Oct 2012

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Just saw the DesignSpark thread... I'm interested in knowing what folks think is a good tool for a hobbyist such as me to learn for doing PCB layout?

I've been playing in the microcontroller space for a number of years now (you can blame Arduino for that!) I want to go to the "next level" and design my own peripherals/shields/add-ons whatever. So, what's a good tool for me to use? I'm not looking to become an expert - just a proficient amateur.

I was about to download Eagle, but now I see this option and I know there are others.

So, what do you all think? Some questions about each option:

1) Is it easy to use? (i.e. do tutorials exist, is it well supported by the community)
2) Is it useful? (i.e. can I output all the files needed for a 2 or 4 layer board that would satisfy a PCB service like BatchPCB)
3) What does it cost? (i.e. free is good - but if it ain't going to do what I need is "free" a false economy?)
4) What questions should I be asking?

Thanks!

p.s. I'm sure this question has been posed before but please don't scold me for starting over - it's a perennial question!

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