Circuit Studio or OrCAD PCB Designer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kelbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 07:57:22 pm
content: I'm a seasoned Altium Designer user (I use it all the time at work). I am potentially starting up a little side project and I would like to pick an EDA package.I was originally just going to use KiCAD, but I see that both Cadence and Altium are playing price chicken with the low-end packages this month: OrCAD PCB Designer is on for $430 (although if you want the version that isn't node locked it's another $100) and Circuit Studio is $500. Both are permanent seats, but maintenance on OrCAD is $430/yr and Circuit Studio is $130/yr.Since I'm habitually an Altium user I expect that I would have an easier time getting started with Circuit Studio. That said, is there a compelling reason to consider OrCAD instead of Circuit Studio? I'm not adverse to learning a new package, and I hear the Circuit Studio interface is pretty crippled compared to what I can do in Altium, and I think that might frustrate me.Any thoughts?

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 09:32:18 pm
content: It's a hard decision, Orcad has the perfect schematics software, and Altium the perfect PCB.You can try Orcad for free with some size and specs limitations, But if you want more for the money is clear on orcad side with that promotion for 437 USD.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 11:46:54 pm
content: Quote from: Kelbit on November 02, 2017, 07:57:22 pmWhy not have a chat to the boss at work. Altium allow you to install their software on a second computer provided it is not being used at the same time as the first. Presumably your computer at work is not in use when you are at home?

author: Kelbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 11:48:59 pm
content: Quote from: DerekG on November 02, 2017, 11:46:54 pmThis is true, and I already use my work license for personal projects on weekends (and I'm not the only one). However, this side-project would be a commercial enterprise, so I can't sponge off my employer's license.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 11:51:06 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on November 02, 2017, 09:32:18 pmHuh, we're totally opposite.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 12:05:52 am
content: Quote from: Kelbit on November 02, 2017, 11:48:59 pmPerhaps take a look at DipTrace then. It is much faster to learn than OrCAD & you can set up the shortcut keys to replicate those in Altium.A group of us have been working hard with the DipTrace Design Team to implement the better features of Altium into DipTrace ........... so much so, that we can now import both Altium schematics & pcbs.I used to only fire up Altium on my legacy designs that needed updating. Now I don't bother, I just import the Altium files directly into DipTrace.I'm not sure how big your projects are - it may be that you can save a few dollars on the amounts listed above, or it may be that you need to spend a bit more but you will save much time with a quick / easy / powerful interface.Altium's best software coders are located in the Ukraine. DipTrace is also located in the Ukraine.You can take it for a drive for freeJust my thoughts for you.

author: M4trix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 12:16:44 am
content: Altium has an unbeatable realistic 3D view of PCBs. If someone is offering a better 3D feature, please tell me.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 12:25:04 am
content: Quote from: M4trix on November 03, 2017, 12:16:44 amMany PCB packages can produce a great 3D experience. It all depends on how much detail & the resolution that is contained within the STEP file in the first place.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 12:28:42 am
content: Quote from: M4trix on November 03, 2017, 12:16:44 amReal life.

author: M4trix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 12:33:09 am
content: Real life sometimes sucks.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 12:33:50 am
content: +1 for Diptrace.Diptrace also has a good 3D preview. Here's a couple examples.

author: M4trix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 12:41:45 am
content: Hm, the PCB on the right looks quite decent.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 01:47:07 am
content: Quote from: M4trix on November 03, 2017, 12:41:45 amBetter STEP files would produce an even better 3D picture - plus a better monitor/video card (I think the above picture is a screen capture).The DipTrace 3D library itself is almost 1.4GBhttp://diptrace.com/libraries-and-3d-models/

author: ahbushnell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 01:49:23 am
content: I used Altium at my previous work and no I"m on my own. I use CS and I like it. It should be an easy fit from your previous experience. You can get a trial and see how you like it before placing $$ on the table.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 01:58:51 am
content: Quote from: M4trix on November 03, 2017, 12:41:45 amkicads 3D view is at least as good as that

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 02:14:53 am
content: Quote from: DerekG on November 03, 2017, 01:47:07 amYes it is a screen capture. In real life you can zoom and rotate at will. Much better in real life.Edit. Maybe a closeup

author: Kelbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 07:14:11 pm
content: Quote from: langwadt on November 03, 2017, 01:58:51 amUnfortunately KiCAD's 3D models are a real pain to use because it only accepts VRML, so when I use KiCAD I pretty much never bother with adding 3D models to my footprints. KiCAD is in dire need of a STEP importer.

author: rfbroadband
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 03, 2017, 11:15:38 pm
content: I can't comment on Altium.OrCAD: Easy to learn, has a few quirks but it is a good tool.OrCAD CIS (upgrade, more expensive) contains the database integration and automated BOM and BOM Variance generation linked to a variety of your database choices. (I use it, works very nice but requires constant maintenance of whatever database solution you choose). Of course database maintenance is independent on OrCAD and is another topic in itself, but you need to be aware that OrCAD CIS exists.Allegro (Called PCB Editor), is probably one of the best and most complex PCB layout tools available with a pretty steep learning curve. The version in OrCAD PCB Designer is the min. configuration of Allegro with many features disabled to get you hooked hoping you will want all these features in the future and pay for the upgrade.I could imagine that one would come up to speed on other layout tools (Altium, Circuit Studio etc) faster and as the learning curve of these other tools is not as steep. I have never used Altium, Circuit Studio..I am just guessing here.Note, that OrCAD - Allegro offer you the (probably most advanced?) concept of a "hierarchical design re-use flow" (layout and schematic) that exists for PCB tools which you may appreciate in the future, but not initially. I would guess that not many people care that much, but again you should be aware about the existence ...Finally, OrCAD offers a PSpice integration (again not sure if you care..), thus in the future you could add PSpice to your setup, do MoneCarlo and other simulations using the same OrCAD entry front end. Of course you could just use LTSpice which is free or any other spice simulator.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2017, 03:02:48 am
content: Quote from: Kelbit on November 03, 2017, 07:14:11 pmI've been getting 3D models from3D ContentCentral. You will need to create an account but there is no fee to download the models. Their conversion to VRML sometimes looses all the colors and the model ends up all silver. Diptrace can use both STEP and VRML models.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2017, 10:13:18 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 04, 2017, 03:57:37 amYes, I guess you can't get cheaper than free!

author: Kelbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 06:42:43 am
content: Thanks for all the opinions, everyone.After trying out the CircuitStudio trial, I think I'll be going with it, especially since the price is now down to $500. While I'm fairly confident that both DipTrace and Orcad PCB provide a better bang for the buck, CircuitStudio is basically stripped-down Altium with a ribbon and a blue colour scheme. Since I'm an experienced Altium Designer user, I've been very productive with Circuit Studio right out of the gate.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 07:43:55 am
content: It's a good option, since you already knew Altium, All 3 are perfect usable, it's a question of personal taste

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 11:07:14 am
content: Quote from: Kelbit on November 10, 2017, 06:42:43 amFully understandable.QuoteAs an experienced Altium/Protel user from 1988 onwards, I've never looked backed after finding DipTrace. The absolute ease of moving from a schematic to a PCB & the great component auto-placement & auto-routing make it a very productive standout tool that's hard to beat.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 01:41:37 pm
content: Quote from: DerekG on November 10, 2017, 11:07:14 amHow well are the push&shove and other advanced manual routing options implemented in DipTrace? Routing with CS was a pleasure.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2017, 03:40:49 am
content: Quote from: plazma on November 10, 2017, 01:41:37 pm