13 Apr
2004
13 Apr
'04
2:12 a.m.
Cadsoft (www.cadsoft.de or www.cadsoftusa.com) has a
nice PCB CAD tool
(Eagle CAD). There's a freeware version, but it's limited in
schematic and PCB size. There's also a low cost non-profit version
that's still somewhat limited but a lot less, it might work for you.
I've been using an older version for some time now, it's quite a nice
product.
I use this (and like it) too. Also, I bought the unlimited version, so I
can lay out arbitrarily large PCBs (did a TC08 backplane layout recently).
I could probably be arm-twisted to lay out the combo board (especially if
the two smaller boards have already been done). I also have some (limited)
experience using Eagle to generate the files needed by a board fab.
There's also www.pcb123.com, which is a PCB shop
that offers a
freeware PCB tool to go with their service. I think the trick is that
it's tied to their PCB fab, but their prices don't seem to be fairly
reasonable. I haven't tried that yet. That one doesn't seem to have
any size limits.
I tried this, but didn't like it well enough to offset the tie to their fab.
In particular, I was worried that classic computer stuff would outlive the
company that does pcb123. With Eagle, at least I have the installation
media and a (perpetual) license, so I should be able to use any future fab I
need to.
Vince