Exploring free CAD software
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neil.johnson
Feb 16, 2011, 5:25:16 AM2/16/11
to Cambridge Electronic Music Society
Hi all,
I'm exploring free CAD software suitable for designing synth modules.
So far my informal list includes:
-- Eagle Free (Schematic/PCB) :: I've used this for quite a while now,
but the limitations of the free version are starting to annoy me, and
the price/feature curve beyond free is not compelling. So I'm looking
at alternatives.
-- DesignSpark (Schematic/PCB) :: free variant of EasyPC sponsored by
RS. A bit clunky, but quite powerful. Probably as quirky as Eagle,
but first impression is that the libraries are very poor.
-- DoubleCAD XT (2D CAD) :: Just found this, and its looking
promising! Its from IMSI, creators of TurboCAD. Phil: is this what
you used to design your metal brackets?
-- Maxima (Algebra, maths) :: nice package for doing symbolic maths,
e.g. filter design, etc. Saves all the tedious writing out and
symplifying equations on paper!
-- Inkscape + UniConverter (Drawing) :: great for producing fancy
artwork and then converting to HPGL.
-- Front Panel Designer (Panel CAD) :: from Schaeffer for doing
panels. Imports HPGL (see above).
-- GC-Prevue :: Gerber viewer, handy for checking PCB files before
sending to fab house.
-- LTSpice :: great free Spice package from Linear Tech. Can import
and export WAV files, great for "hearing" what a filter design might
sound like!
Actually, this list is growing, so I'm going to put up a page on my
website. Any other recommendations welcome!
Cheers,
Neil
I'm exploring free CAD software suitable for designing synth modules.
So far my informal list includes:
-- Eagle Free (Schematic/PCB) :: I've used this for quite a while now,
but the limitations of the free version are starting to annoy me, and
the price/feature curve beyond free is not compelling. So I'm looking
at alternatives.
-- DesignSpark (Schematic/PCB) :: free variant of EasyPC sponsored by
RS. A bit clunky, but quite powerful. Probably as quirky as Eagle,
but first impression is that the libraries are very poor.
-- DoubleCAD XT (2D CAD) :: Just found this, and its looking
promising! Its from IMSI, creators of TurboCAD. Phil: is this what
you used to design your metal brackets?
-- Maxima (Algebra, maths) :: nice package for doing symbolic maths,
e.g. filter design, etc. Saves all the tedious writing out and
symplifying equations on paper!
-- Inkscape + UniConverter (Drawing) :: great for producing fancy
artwork and then converting to HPGL.
-- Front Panel Designer (Panel CAD) :: from Schaeffer for doing
panels. Imports HPGL (see above).
-- GC-Prevue :: Gerber viewer, handy for checking PCB files before
sending to fab house.
-- LTSpice :: great free Spice package from Linear Tech. Can import
and export WAV files, great for "hearing" what a filter design might
sound like!
Actually, this list is growing, so I'm going to put up a page on my
website. Any other recommendations welcome!
Cheers,
Neil
Phil
Feb 16, 2011, 6:06:24 AM2/16/11
to Cambridge Electronic Music Society
Hi Neal,
As a Mac user my choices are restricted when it comes to engineering
software, but VMware helps a little...
My comments on the software you listed are -
Eagle: I bought the non-commercial licence so that I can do boards of
100x160mm, which I have found useful. I don't think I could have lived
with the restrictions of the free version.
DesignSpark: I used EasyPC a few years ago, and found problems with
the gerber files it produced that always caused delays with the PCB
manufacturers. It had several annoying problems, but there were
usually ways around them.
TurboCAD: It's great! Very expensive if you don't use Ebay, but there
are always lots of sellers offering it at a reasonable price (I think
I paid around 20 Pounds for the Pro version). For simple mechanical
drawings it works well, and it will export dxf files. I haven't had
any problems getting things made from the drawings, having used a
number of local fabricators. I'm starting to try front panels with
TurboCAD, but I'm not sure it is the right tool.
Maxima: I haven't used this, but do like Octave, which I often use in
preference to a circuit simulator.
GC-Prevue: V. useful, and the best available.
SIMetrix is also a nice SPICE simulator, which I have used several
times. If I think of any more I'll post again, but for most circuit
simulation I use Spectre, but that is far from free!
Phil.
As a Mac user my choices are restricted when it comes to engineering
software, but VMware helps a little...
My comments on the software you listed are -
Eagle: I bought the non-commercial licence so that I can do boards of
100x160mm, which I have found useful. I don't think I could have lived
with the restrictions of the free version.
DesignSpark: I used EasyPC a few years ago, and found problems with
the gerber files it produced that always caused delays with the PCB
manufacturers. It had several annoying problems, but there were
usually ways around them.
TurboCAD: It's great! Very expensive if you don't use Ebay, but there
are always lots of sellers offering it at a reasonable price (I think
I paid around 20 Pounds for the Pro version). For simple mechanical
drawings it works well, and it will export dxf files. I haven't had
any problems getting things made from the drawings, having used a
number of local fabricators. I'm starting to try front panels with
TurboCAD, but I'm not sure it is the right tool.
Maxima: I haven't used this, but do like Octave, which I often use in
preference to a circuit simulator.
GC-Prevue: V. useful, and the best available.
SIMetrix is also a nice SPICE simulator, which I have used several
times. If I think of any more I'll post again, but for most circuit
simulation I use Spectre, but that is far from free!
Phil.
Neil Johnson
Feb 18, 2011, 6:45:20 PM2/18/11
to cem...@googlegroups.com
A little update:
http://www.milton.arachsys.com/nj71/index.php?menu=2&submenu=7
Cheers,
Neil
--
http://www.njohnson.co.uk
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