In examining the design files for the Maker Shed pulse sensor we noted that they weren’t produced using Eagle. Instead, the files were generated using Design Spark’s free Schematic Layout Software. This is a free (activation required at no charge) PCB design alternative and is available from the Design Spark website. These are the sample people who sponsor the chipKIT Challenge.
As Design Spark describes it:
Free from practical constraints on board size, pin counts, layers and output types, DesignSpark PCB circuit design software can be used for schematic capture, PCB design, layout and generating manufacturing files. Multi-page schematic designs are supported and gerber (extended) file outputs allow the designer to choose who will manufacture the board.
DesignSpark PCB allows you to generate all the files required to take your project from circuit diagram to layout schematic to a circuit board built project. It’s also well-suited for commercial projects that demand secure, high-speed transactions—particularly relevant for fast withdrawal casinos — where meticulous board design and reliability are paramount. Gerbers (Extended RS-274-X), Excellons, BOMs, component lists and positions are possible along with DXF (import and export) and IDF for interfacing to mechanical CAD software tools.
(Note: while the Maker Shed refers to this as “open source” software in their design Readme file, we can find no link or reference to the availability of the source code.)
Not open source at all, and windows-only…
look nice, but as tinito says: windows-only and not opensource.
However maybe it’s a good replacement for eagle (I hate eagle, but i use it cos is for Linux).
DesignSpark is from the EasyPC guys http://www.numberone.com/
they say they’ve run it under wine for linux, but its not Open Source.
I started using it and it’s years beyond Eagle crappy GUI. Eagle is NOT open source, and Kicad and Geda are open source, but what I can do with DesingSpark in minutes I need hours to do it with other Open source alternatives, and since my life is not infinite, I prefer use a freeware even if it’s not open source and produce my PCBs quickly. I design circuits to makes things happen, not to spend hours fiddling and fighting with a completely illogic GUI (aqua Eagle) or with incomplete and buggy softwares with the excuse that they are open source.
Don’t understand the open source argument – lot of people complain about PCB tool not being open source but keep using Eagle…
I’m a PCB beginner, have done Eagle tutorial and a couple of simple boards. Never liked Eagle limitations – eg. if I want to design a logic probe to fit into a pen case, 3-4mm wide but 120mm long? Do I invest time to learn Eagle, then dump it and learn another package when I need 101mm PCB?
I look for alternatives and installed Designspark PCB a while ago but this last weekend I had time to try it. Within about 8 hours I have done a simple PCB (a dual opamp, woltage regulator, transistor and a handfull of resistors and caps), been able to create my own component and imported Eagle library. I had a few issues but it could be my lack of experience with Designspark.
In general it works for me and my abilities are the limits, not the PCB size.
The open source argument was actually in reply to “Maker Shed refers to this as open source software in their design Readme file”…
The main limitation of Designspark, to me, is being windows only.
I. Use design spark now after yrs of eagle. The UI is easier for me. 4 layer ability is nice.
The one thing I wish it had is copy and paste abilities where I could copy a design into another and have both schematic and pcb copy over– how many times do I have to layout and route that 5 volt LDO?
I did run into some issues with polygon overfilling when I went to have them done at dorkbot.
My feeling on non-OSS isn’t ideological but long term access to improved versions. With non-OSS you don’t know if you are investing in an ecosystem that will be there.
Today the majority of the Maker community is using Eagle, so if you want the maximum number of users to be able to use your files use Eagle.
If you want to not use Eagle, I feel that long term availability is important.
I don’t know about DesignSpark but Webpack is reasonable example of what to fear in non-OSS tools. Today they give it away but you have to have a license file, that means they can limit new users in the future, also if the company no longer exists, there can be no place to (legally) download from.
So to protect your user base using OSS is better in a long view, in my opinion.
Does anyone have any opinions about PCB123? (Pros/cons in regard to the software mentioned above for example.)
http://www.sunstone.com/PCB123-CAD-Software.aspx
Not 100% sure but it can be a software linked and only usable with their PCB production service. As they say: “Our free PCB design software is guaranteed to create buildable designs. Sunstone DRC rules are integrated into the software to deliver more effective feedback and fewer design spins….” I would doublecheck if you can change design rules to fit other PCB fabs and if it produces standard output files.
I’ve seen some free PCB software that only works with one company, you have to order at least one production run with them before they’ll give you standard Gerber files. In general you don’t want to be stuck with one company and if you want to share your design it’s useless.