Best Simple PCB CAD Software for Beginners to Design Small CNC Power Supply Boards

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#1 21660397 20 Dec 2011 12:18

MARK ELLIOT MARK ELLIOT

Anonymous

Post #1
21660397 20 Dec 2011 12:18

Hello
All I am a newibe and I woud like to make two small PCBs for my cnc power suppy. And would like to know of a simple PCB cad I can use?

thank you,
Mark E

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#2 21660398 20 Dec 2011 12:30

Cody Miller Cody Miller

Anonymous

Post #2
21660398 20 Dec 2011 12:30

Here are a few PCB software tools:

"Eagle":http://www.cadsoftusa.com/shop/pricing/?language=en - $69 for two layer support
"PCB123":http://www.sunstone.com/PCB123-CAD-Software.aspx - Free but must order boards through Sunstone
#3 21660399 20 Dec 2011 12:31

Steve Lawson Steve Lawson

Anonymous

Post #3
21660399 20 Dec 2011 12:31

Try Eagle CAD [http://www.cadsoftusa.com/downloads/freeware/]. It's free with the following imitations:

The following limitations apply to the EAGLE Light Edition in general:

* The useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches).
* Only two signal layers can be used (Top and Bottom).
* The schematic editor can only create one sheet.

Then use the excellent SparkFun tutorial [http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/108] to learn how to use it.
#4 21660400 20 Dec 2011 12:49

Steve Lawson Steve Lawson

Anonymous

Post #4
21660400 20 Dec 2011 12:49

Then, to get the PCB made, if you're on a budget and can be patient, try:

http://batchpcb.com/index.php/Home

Your PCB design gets included with others as a batch to get the cost down for single PCB for hobbyist or prototype needs.

Also, PCBExpress supposedly has good prices for low quantity runs: http://www.pcbexpress.com/products/prices.php

Other possibilities:

* Advanced Circuits [http://www.4pcb.com/instant_quote/] (they have an excellent feature where you can upload your PCB files and they will test them and give you a quote via email) -- this is the one I use.
* PCB-Pool [http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppus/index.html] never used them, but supposedly you can watch your PCB being made!
* AP Circuits [http://www.apcircuits.com/] they specialize in Prototype quantities and have an online price estimator [http://www.apcircuits.com/ap/calculator].
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#5 21660401 21 Dec 2011 09:21

Per Zackrisson Per Zackrisson

Anonymous

Post #5
21660401 21 Dec 2011 09:21

There are also Kicad an unrestricted opensource free pcb system.
It is very powerful and quite easy to use.
http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/Main_Page
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#6 21660402 22 Dec 2011 16:25

Ben Ben

Anonymous

Post #6
21660402 22 Dec 2011 16:25

I'd highly recommend DipTrace. They have a free non-commercial version with less limitations restrictive than Eagle and it's more user friendly. Just like most other decent software in this realm there's also really good tutorials as well along with a decent library of parts.

http://www.diptrace.com/nonprofit.php
#7 21660403 22 Dec 2011 16:52

MARK ELLIOT MARK ELLIOT

Anonymous

Post #7
21660403 22 Dec 2011 16:52

THANK YOU I WILL TRY IT
#8 21660404 29 Dec 2011 08:24

Dharmik Brahmbhatt Dharmik Brahmbhatt

Anonymous

Post #8
21660404 29 Dec 2011 08:24

hi you can use ORCAD for just design purpose if you wanna simulate a ckt use PROTEUS 7.8 its better than others with lots more ics and all parts and see your circuit running before you made it.... CADSTAR is also popular pcb designing and layout software .... all these are available free on the internet ,,,, just do goooooogling........
#9 21660405 30 Dec 2011 03:28

MARK ELLIOT MARK ELLIOT

Anonymous

Post #9
21660405 30 Dec 2011 03:28

cool thank you to all you have given me a lot of help

thank you again mark e
#10 21660406 03 Jan 2012 17:21

Sasan Karimiyeh Sasan Karimiyeh

Anonymous

Post #10
21660406 03 Jan 2012 17:21

I Think you can use PROTEL 99SE or Altium or EAGLE.
#11 21660407 07 Jan 2012 13:16

Mike Wilson Mike Wilson

Anonymous

Post #11
21660407 07 Jan 2012 13:16

DesignSpark is free and you do not have to buy any services. www.designspark.com
#12 21660408 11 Jan 2012 20:39

MARK ELLIOT MARK ELLIOT

Anonymous

Post #12
21660408 11 Jan 2012 20:39

HELLO TO ALL

I AM STIL WORKING ON MAKEING MY P C B I AM USING DIP TRACE FROM A NEW CAD USER
ITS A NICE SOFTWARE BUT TRYING TOO MAKE A KEY BOARD TO JOG AROUND STEPPER MOTORS.
I HAVE NOT FORGOT THE HELP THAT I GOT HERE.
YOU LIKE TO ADD INPUT TO ME PLEASE DO
#13 21660409 30 Aug 2012 07:43

Bech Bej Bech Bej

Anonymous

Post #13
21660409 30 Aug 2012 07:43

Eagle is user freindly and simple for beginner

here is a channel that helps you put your hand on eagle

http://www.youtube.com/user/margoumix?feature=mhee

you can also follow me on

https://www.facebook.com/electronicsforal

thank you
#14 21660410 02 Sep 2012 15:02

Vicentiu Mincior Vicentiu Mincior

Anonymous

Post #14
21660410 02 Sep 2012 15:02

A very beginner Sprint Layout 5.0 you can see at http://electroni-city.com
#15 21660411 02 Sep 2012 15:08

Steve Lawson Steve Lawson

Anonymous

Post #15
21660411 02 Sep 2012 15:08

I've been using Dip Trace for several months now. It's very easy to learn and use and there's a free version with generous boundaries (i.e. it's fully functional with 300 pin limit for non-profit use).

I find Dip Trace far easier to use than Eagle (though, Eagle may have more features, but I haven't missed any of them).

You can download it here:

http://www.diptrace.com/download.php
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#16 21660412 02 Sep 2012 15:15

Steve Lawson Steve Lawson

Anonymous

Post #16
21660412 02 Sep 2012 15:15

The down side of using in-house [proprietary] software like PCB123, is if you ever want to switch to an industry wide package like DipTrace or Eagle, you'll have to do everything over again, because there's typically no "Export" or translation to a different software format. Some of them (and perhaps all of them) will export Gerber files, but that doesn't contain the information needed to port a schematic or PCB layout to anther product. [Personal experience :p ]
#17 21660413 05 Sep 2012 02:11

Dennis Bauer Dennis Bauer

Anonymous

Post #17
21660413 05 Sep 2012 02:11

i am using PCB-Artist and it is easy to use

http://www.4pcb.com/free-pcb-layout-software/
#18 21660414 05 Sep 2012 17:41

Shane Stafford Shane Stafford

Anonymous

Post #18
21660414 05 Sep 2012 17:41

I touch on this issue in the webinar found here: http://www.lpkfusa.com/RapidPCB/webinars/In-h...tm_medium=web&utm_campaign=in-house+vs+out+rf
#19 21660415 20 Sep 2012 12:16

Shane Stafford Shane Stafford

Anonymous

Post #19
21660415 20 Sep 2012 12:16

What do you think, Steve? http://thepcbcorner.wordpress.com/
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Topic summary

Beginners seeking simple PCB CAD software for designing small CNC power supply boards have several recommended options. Eagle CAD is popular, offering a free Light Edition with limitations on board size (100 x 80 mm), two signal layers, and single-sheet schematics; it is supported by tutorials such as those from SparkFun. DipTrace is highly recommended for its user-friendly interface, fewer restrictions in its free non-commercial version, and a comprehensive parts library. KiCad is an open-source, unrestricted, and powerful alternative suitable for beginners. PCB123 is free but requires ordering boards through Sunstone, with limited export capabilities. Other software mentioned includes ORCAD (design only), PROTEUS 7.8 (circuit simulation and design), CADSTAR, PROTEL 99SE, Altium, DesignSpark (free with no service purchase required), PCB-Artist, and Sprint Layout 5.0 for very basic needs. For PCB fabrication, budget-friendly services like BatchPCB, PCBExpress, Advanced Circuits, PCB-Pool, and AP Circuits offer prototype and low-quantity runs with online quoting and batch processing to reduce costs. Users note that proprietary software like PCB123 may lack interoperability with industry-standard tools, requiring redesign if switching software. Overall, Eagle, DipTrace, and KiCad stand out as accessible and effective tools for beginners designing small CNC power supply PCBs.
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Best Simple PCB CAD Software for Beginners to Design Small CNC Power Supply Boards

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