Which EDA (schematic/pcb) package do you use? (poll / discuss) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 09:12:20 am
content: I'm a bit fed up with people saying Eagle dominates the hobbyist market (although it does), but much of this forum is a bit more sophisticated than sticking some shields on an Arduino and calling it 'design'. I'd be interested (and so would others, I imagine) to know what those who know what they're doing use. Personally, I am a great believer in KiCad; despite its shortcomings in official builds and information, it is quite nice to use (and it's FREE). What EDA program do you use? Discussion welcome

author: Seán
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 11:47:17 am
content: I use Altium ...it was a bit difficult to get used to it when I started, but it's grand now ...I do like it.Seán

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 11:59:17 am
content: Bartels Auto Engineer. I bet I'm the only one here who does!

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 12:00:57 pm
content: QuoteApparently it's nine grand now.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 12:02:40 pm
content: If Altium was free (or at least had more reasonable pricing) I would definitely use it over KiCad.

author: wiss
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 12:31:24 pm
content: LTSpice and PCB (http://pcb.geda-project.org/would this be gEDA then?), not really using any auto-routing or schematic capture for layouts.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 02:26:54 pm
content: How many polls do we need in a year? Here is the previous one:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/2014-pcb-cad-preferences/

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 03:10:54 pm
content: Proteus

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 03:19:16 pm
content: I did search for other ones but I didn't find any!

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 04:06:53 pm
content: Quote from: microbugwww.labcenter.com/index.cfm

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 04:09:13 pm
content: Sorry, other threads (not other tools). The pricing on Proteus does look quite tempting though...

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 06:39:42 pm
content: Too bad polls don't let you select multiple choices. I use Upverter, Eagle, and Allegro. Depends on what team I'm working with.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 07:20:22 pm
content: At work I have to use Mentor for production designs. However, I don't recommend it unless the PCB designer uses it every day for very complex designs and can afford the maintenance costs. Otherwise, it is too complicated and riddled with subtle gotchas that will trap the unwary.For casual RF design of prototype PCBs I've always stuck with Eagleware (Agilent) Genesys because I really like the simplicity of it and the ease of producing a very accurate artwork. I've been using it ever since the PCB layout capability was released as an option in the 1990s.Some of my colleagues prefer to use the low cost EasyPC from NumberOne Systems (UK) and this has been a regular favourite for many engineers over the years for doing simple boards and test jigs etc. I much prefer Genesys but I think I'm alone in this.

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 07:26:56 pm
content: I didn't know that Agilent had an EDA package!Is there such thing as 'casual' RF design?Good to see that KiCad is in the lead at the moment!

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 07:47:49 pm
content: I would really like to use one of those fancy schematics/PCB software package...but it is just way out of being affordable..even for a one-man company like me...That's why I chose DipTrace...Got many phone calls, especially from Altium resellers, trying to sell me their software with a little pressure saying that it would soon cost more (o;What I don't understand that those companies don't switch to a software model like Adobe did a while ago...I really like their software since Illustrator version 1.1 and version 88 (o;And suudenly it was affordable for me as well, as they switched to a monthly fee based model...which is around $70...and best of all, you get the whole spectrum and be able to run it on two computers...expect Framemaker, which I don't really understand...liked the software back then on SunOS/Solaris ;-)Adobe just saw the chance to also attract people who were using their software illegally, but not cause the wanted to, but because they couldn't afford it...So please all you PCB design software companies...get up and learn something from Adobe :-))BTW: Did you know Adobe produced also chips for Postscript cards? Think I still have one lying around (o;

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 08:05:29 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on July 29, 2014, 07:26:56 pmGenesys is an RF design package that has roots that go back to the 1980s. It started out as 'Circuit Busters' then the company name changed to Eagleware and they named the design suite 'Genesys' some time around the late 1990s IIRC.In the 1990s they also added a neat (but very basic) PCB design capability which allowed direct schematic to PCB capture.In 2005 the company was bought out by Agilent but the name of the simulator has remained as Genesys and the PCB design capability has remained.http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/editorial.jspx?cc=GB&lc=eng&ckey=1664088&nid=-34275.0.02&id=1664088Some history is given here:http://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/373-history-of-microwave-software#superstar

author: kc0ngu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 08:27:06 pm
content: I generally use Eagle (full version) but also use EasyPC, been using EasyPC since about 1989.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 03:36:54 am
content: We recently switched to Altium at work. Eagle was getting to be a real chore and would have been a big handicap for some of the projects we have on the horizon which require collaboration with other Altium users. The impending price increase was a big help on finally getting the trigger pulled, honestly, and we just made the deadline. I've used KiCad for some personal stuff and I sincerely hope it does well, but at least as of the last time I used it it has a ways to go before it's really robust enough to use on a day to day basis.

author: ampdoctor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 05:27:58 am
content: No love for NI multisim/ultiboard? Yeah, it's got a few quirks and wtf's in it but its pretty straightforward and damn easy to use.If you're looking for something basic that has reasonable functionality, google around for an archived copy of circuitmaker2k. Yeah, it's older than dirt and can feel a bit clumsy at times due to it's age, but even at that it's still miles ahead of kicad.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 05:55:29 am
content: When I made boards at work an old Altium version.At home with a limited budget Eagle Std. I have switched to mac at home so my alternatives are limited. There are several cross platform projects but Eagle is the only one I know of that has actually happened.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 06:18:03 am
content: At work, Mentor Graphics CAD.

author: Seán
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 07:34:48 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on July 29, 2014, 12:00:57 pmYes, the price is crazy from what I know ...I guess I should have said that I use it in work (and they pay the licence fees)Seán

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 09:56:00 am
content: @WarSim I work on a mac too! If you don't know, there are pre-compiled builds of KiCad for mac which work well (seehere.

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 11:15:59 am
content: Does anyone remember SmartWork?

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 12:40:43 pm
content: Quote from: Richard HeadYep. I still have it installed on an old DOS machine, even have the disks. I wrote a gerber, graphics and hole/punch viewer for it.For it's time it was AWESOME !

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 12:44:11 pm
content: How about Electronic Workbench?Or Tango?

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 02:53:19 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on July 30, 2014, 09:56:00 amI looked into KiCAD. When I did it was missing two things keeping me from using it. I can't remember what they where, now. I guess it is time to try again.

author: Ribster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 03:03:44 pm
content: I use Altium via a VMWare on an OS X machine.. Works quite well :p

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 03:33:56 pm
content: Quote from: Richard Head on July 30, 2014, 11:15:59 amWintek. They also made HiWire later on

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 11:21:04 pm
content: Quote from: ampdoctor on July 30, 2014, 05:27:58 amI had to use Ultiboard in school many decades ago; it used to be a Dutch company. Thinking about using that POC software still makes me want to vomit. BTW the first versions where written by an intern...

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 11:56:52 pm
content: I use Diptrace. I find it a good compromise between "hobbyist" programs like Eagle and ExpressPCB, and "professional" packages like Altium and Allegro. You get 90% of the featureset as something like Altium, but it can be had for a fraction of the price, or free if you're ok with 300 pins.I am learning Altium, however.

author: ampdoctor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 11:59:19 pm
content: Dont have any experience with ultiboard from "many decades ago". I've been using v10 for several years and it works just fine. The biggest annoyances I've got is that it doesn't import/export step files, it doesn't play nice with other companies file formats if at all, so if you want to import altium, cadence, or mentor files you're pretty much screwed, but at least you can import tango and calay netlists without any issues.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 12:03:47 am
content: I have a EWB/Multisim around. Wasn't it called something Circuit Sim or something like that.

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 12:59:21 am
content: I have access to Altium at work and love it.I have tried KiCAD and it's *almost* ready for me to make the jump. I can live with the different workflows, I can live without the more powerful tools that Altium offers.I just cannot live with KiCAD's demented copy system.Give me Ctrl-C Ctrl-V and I'll switch.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 02:08:34 am
content: Quote from: Phaedrus on July 30, 2014, 11:56:52 pm100% agree with this. It's a solid, well-rounded easy to learn program. It lacks some of the features of the advanced packages but those are being added over time. I use it ALL the time and love it.

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 02:37:41 am
content: Quote from: ludzinc on July 31, 2014, 12:59:21 amSo rebind the keys. You can configure kicad with whatever keybindings you like...

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 03:39:51 am
content: Quote from: microbug on July 30, 2014, 09:56:00 amWell I loaded up KiCAD and I has some real serious issues.For example elements are not unique keyed. If you have copy an element and put them on top of each other. When you select one through the clarify select anything you do effects both. Imperially it seems they are taking the short cut of using a hash instead of a key.Another example creating a multi part component process indicate you must select missing items.Another example when selected to English it is mostly English. Obviously earlier on coders started with non regionalized text and now they have to dig through the code to find all the simple text.The list goes on and on. Yes Eagle is annoying but I have never had to edit the saved files with a text editor to recover from a UI glitch.I will likely try it out again when is am not so annoyed with the stupid shortcuts the programers obviously made. Right now it is not looking good.Micro bug thank you for the suggestion, but I can't trust KiCAD with my projects right now. I posted this here because I did not want to start a new tread for this, and make it into a discussion or debate. . I'm done with this tangent.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 03:46:53 am
content: Quote from: WarSim on July 31, 2014, 03:39:51 amDipTrace has a WINE Version for Mac. They also said one big reason for the recent transition to a new version of Delphi for the software was so that they could release a native Mac version in the future. We will see, they have a lot on their plate still but at least they have a lot of stuff on their roadmaps.

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 04:00:36 am
content: Quote from: Rigby on July 31, 2014, 02:37:41 am

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 04:05:09 am
content: I stopped considering DipTrace when I found out it used WINE. I will certainly try DipTrace when it goes native. Until then I opt out of wine.

author: drtaylor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 04:59:24 am
content: I design on a Mac and I really like Osmond PCB. It's very versatile and highly affordable. I have over 150 designs produced successfully with Osmond from 2 layers to 16 layers. For schematic capture I use McCad Schematics+. I wrote a macro to generate Osmond compatible net lists.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 05:19:04 am
content: I read on the Osmond site it was Cocoa, I am upgraded to Mavericks and Cocoa is gone. Has it been updated to be Mavericks? Or will I need to dig out a Snow Leopard? I see now there is a free version for download to try. My mill CAM can import Dwg or gerber and excelon. Will be interesting if the free version is usable enough to test a small project from start to finish before licensing.I kinda skipped over McCAD because on the price list I found it was dear.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 05:29:01 am
content: Quote from: WarSim on July 31, 2014, 05:19:04 amSo they got rid of Carbon first and now Cocoa? What is it called now?

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 05:33:40 am
content: Well first I think I will find out if I am talking out of my butt. I was saying why I skipped the EDS. I am going to see if I am wrong.Its 1am here I just found out that McCAD isn't as dear as I though before either.

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 05:37:07 am
content: I started with SmartWork then graduated to Orcad then to Tango then to Protel and now trying to transition to Altium.Without pirate software I'd be nothing!

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 05:37:36 am
content: Yep I was wrong Cocoa is still here, it was Objective C that got changed to Swift.

author: Dolganoff
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 10:09:05 am
content: I am trying to switch 100% of my workflows to Kicad.However I don't like their recent decisions to not to release "stable" packages for windows anymore (or other platforms for that matter). Tried to build new distribution from sources, but so far only had troubles with new versions which have seen a lot of change last months, arguably.I am hoping it stabilizes enough one day to have at least yearly stable releases I could rely on. For now I am staying on 2013 stable ...

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 11:41:09 am
content: Hopefully with all the new programming talent (CERN) going into KiCAD it will stabilise pretty fast. CERN has already published some slick new features (new auto router). I sympathise with the copy thing, I didn't realise you could change key bindings!@drtaylor looking at the mccad website makes my skin crawl! '4 decades of experience'; the interface looks 3 decades old. Osmond PCB looks quite good though.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 11:43:08 am
content: One reason I use Altium is because it is the defacto standard in Australia. You have a better chance of employment in the Australian electronics scene if you know Altium.I use Altium/Protel at work over the last 20 years but used Orcad for about 2 years. Orcad beats Altium hands down for easy and simple component library management and ease of use. But having only one level of CTRL-Z undo killed Orcad in my opinion.Altium is powerful but it is a mess with updates, vaults, libraries, add-ons and other gobblygook. Why can you simply enter a part number on Altium's website and download its footprint and symbol and 3D model as a package, without all the otheryou have to go through? I don't want every bloody TI regulator component ever made, I just want a LM317DCY symbol, footprint and 3D model!The menus should be rewritten. For example where is the logic in having CHANGING the grids under "VIEW"? And the options, preferences and settings are all over the shop. You should be able to just right click on a document setting (eg: DRN, CHK, TITLE etc) and just change it rather than going the long way around to modify it. Libraries... what a mess. Ever wondered why few have good component libraries? The standard footprints from Altium are crap. Mind you, the wizards to create component footprints are very good and they can be edited for smarter top overlay design once they are produced.Anyone who has had to install licenses will also know it is convoluted. Altium are very helpful in helping you sort it out, but good design of such processes should be easy and self explanatory.Despite the negatives (and there are quite a few), Altium does a great job overall as a CAD tool for designing quality PCB's - providing you make your own footprints and schematic symbols. I do enjoy the feeling of a new board arriving and just working without problems. The result should be artwork that should even make a deep impression on the likes of Claude Monet.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 02:56:30 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on July 31, 2014, 11:41:09 amA place I worked at still uses Visula on SunOS 9. Now that is old school

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 03:05:06 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on July 31, 2014, 11:43:08 amYes very true Altium is the longstanding go to EDA for business. I would like to mention the topic author asked about Hobby use. The price tag for Altium is just way to high for most peoples hobby use.

author: Ribster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 03:05:52 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on July 31, 2014, 09:58:01 amHehehehehe

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 03:23:27 pm
content: QuoteProbably not. I have used Protel from their DOS days and still have a copy of Protel99 around. The last Protel I touched is DXP 2004.Looking around, I see Pulsonix, OrCAD, PowerPCB, Spectra mostly and no Altium. and I would think Mentor, Zuken and Cadence are there in terms of market shares, ahead of Altium.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 03:24:12 pm
content: As to Protel's popularity, I would attribute it to its (relatively) low prices.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 04:17:52 pm
content: Quote from: WarSim on July 31, 2014, 02:56:30 pmstill ... could have been Viewdraw under Sunos... or EMC ... although that was more to do layout of hybrids... Ran on the old Sun micro pizzaboxes. needed half an hour to load...

author: Prime73
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 04:22:55 pm
content: Quote from: WarSim on July 31, 2014, 05:37:36 amObjective C is still there and it wasn't changed to Swift.Swift is a new language Apple introduced this year.you can use both in your projects however we stick to C++/Objective C for nowBack on topic I use Eagle Pro and find if sufficient for my needs.Also Adobe has something new:http://www.123dapp.com/circuits

author: jaxbird
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2014, 04:38:33 pm
content: I use Eagle, and while it's UI design is totally non standard, it does get the job done and it's very stable, plus it supports advanced plugin programming.I've tried KiCad, but I'm not convinced it's yet worth the time needed to get familiar with all it's features.I feel that free vs. reasonably low cost (hobby) does not make much difference when taking into consideration the amount of time you need to invest in a product to use it fluently. And I really don't care whether it's open or closed source.

author: tycz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 03:50:19 am
content: I've been using PCB Elegance since it was released as free software in 2012. It's has the best user interface of all the EDA packages I've used. It's about on par with Eagle in terms of features. Prior to this I used mostly Protel and Altium.I noticed the old website has expired so I'm now hosting the files myself.http://etim.net.au/pcbelegance

author: microbug
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 09:01:23 am
content: 'Totally non standard' ?? read 'crap'. My time with eagle was short and painful.

author: drtaylor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 11:12:11 pm
content: Quote from: microbug on July 31, 2014, 11:41:09 amI totally agree. McCad's interface is way out of date. The PCB package is hopelessly low resolution and I would never use it. But I still use the schematics capture...easy to use and very easy to design new component symbols to look the way I want them to. I doubt any new dev has been done at McCad for years.Osmond PCB supports multiple grids and very fine resolution. It does not have an autorouter but I've never liked the results of those anyway, especially for precision analog design that I specialize in. I cannot praise it enough for bang for the buck.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 11:27:36 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 29, 2014, 02:26:54 pmMaybe we should run a poll to see how many polls we should run lol.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 11:31:48 pm
content: I agree with Osmund sofar it seems great value. And you suggestion did lead me to my choice of DesignWorks. Thanks.I have only found very few auto routers that I think was worth the time and effort to set up. Because the cheapest one was over $5000. I doubt I will be using one ever again.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 11:34:16 pm
content: Quote from: snipersquad100 on August 02, 2014, 11:27:36 pmYou don't need a poll, it's usually started by kicad peeps, on the previous one there where 16 but now 18 so I reckon they'll run another 16 polls

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 11:34:21 pm
content: Quote from: snipersquad100 on August 02, 2014, 11:27:36 pmDon't be hasty. We should have a poll on weather we should have a poll on your suggestion to have a poll on how many polls we should run.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 11:45:42 pm
content: Now that would be silly lol

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 12:12:28 am
content: Autorouters aren't very good because the algorithms behind them aren't perfect. Autorouting is full of little problems that are intractible. They can't be solved perfectly in a reasonable amount of time, or at all, in some cases, with a computer.This is why routing is accurately described as an art form, as there are no known algorithms that can do it better than an experienced human except in cases where the only directions that traces are allowed to travel are horizontal and vertical.Don't ever expect autorouters to get really good.

author: ovnr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 01:19:43 am
content: Another Ultiboard/Multisim user here. Yup, it's weird in some ways, but I'm used to it and it works fine for anything I do. I've tried Altium but didn't really get into it, plus I'd hate to recreate my 500+ part library in a different package.(Biggest hate for Ultiboard boils down to that their SSOP28 package was completely wrong and ruined a batch of boards for me - after that I stopped using the built-in libs for anything but pin headers and TH resistors... and even those are kinda iffy. On the flip side, I've gotten pretty damn good at making new library parts!)

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 07:00:20 am
content: Quote from: Rigby on August 03, 2014, 12:12:28 amAutorouting is not necessarily an all or nothing thing. I route manually the critical nets and let the eagle autorouter do the rest. Works great for me (I don't care about the aesthetics of the tracks, just functionality).Quote from: Rigby on August 03, 2014, 12:12:28 amOn the other hand it's cheaper to clone an auto router than an experienced human, for example for my home projects. ;-)BTW, AFAIK, the complexity of auto routing is independent on the direction constraints. Once you figure out the topology of the tracks, there are efficient algorithms to generate any-angle, octilinear or rectilinear tracks subject to design rules. below is an example, (a) is the topology represented as rubber bands and zero spacing, (b) is any-angle with spacing enforced and (c) is the rectilinear design. Conversion in the other direction to topology is trivial.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2014, 01:51:02 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on August 03, 2014, 07:00:20 amAutorouting selected sections is quite handy when you, for example, want to limit vias on a 2 layer board. As for the aesthetics of tracks, autorouters are generally crap. But I occasionally get hints from an autorouter, but I would always clean up autorouter mess up on the rare occasion I would use it. I am not saying it is wrong to have sloppy artwork at hobbyist level, but at my workplace sloppy track layout work is clearly unacceptable.

author: Zeyneb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 02:08:57 am
content: Hi all,I'm a happy user of Pulsonix. The way the library is constructed in categories: Symbols, Footprints and Parts; Is something I like.However I construct every footprint with a separate tool: PCB Library ExpertThis tool enables me to create decent IPC-7351 compliant footprints. I can import these in Pulsonix.

author: DrRich
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 04:36:30 pm
content: Proteus at work now, I really like it.Used Protel 99SE and Zuken Cadstar in the past. Tried Eagle, but the UI drives me insane.

author: IO390
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 08:48:38 pm
content: I use Proteus. Got it free from college. I tried KiCAD but I'm used to Proteus so it was a bit pointless. You can make a netlist on a PCB layout without making a schematic, which is nice as I often don't bother with schematics for simple stuff and familiar components.

author: MadScientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 08:56:01 pm
content: Professionally, and for my hobby use I use diptrace. I was surprised at how popular it was here. Up there with altium and eagle etc.

author: hammy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 31, 2014, 09:18:26 pm
content: Target 3001 v17