panfilero wrote:> Whoa! I appreciate all the responses, I didn't think it was gonna be > this complicated to get my schematic over to PCB format (I'm new to all > this). This is something that I would like to get into, so I am > willing to invest some time and energy to learning some of the better > software than taking an easy way out of this. I have access to a copy > of OrCad 10.5, if I learn how to use this and draw my schematic on it, > would this give me a file that I could send somewhere to have it made? > I mean if I'm willing to invest some time and energy into learning > software for circuit designing, what is a good, generally universely > accepted type of program to go with? > > much thanks > Joshua >I have used Eagle and Kicad and _both_ are excellent, but as with _all_ real CAD programs they have a sharp learning curve for those who have never laid out a board before. [I've also used the very expensive and hard to use stuff from others ;) ] Kicad has a schematic capture module although I actually *like* some features of OrCad (ok, so I'm a masochist) and you can use that and the integrated flow to go from design to gerber - same with Eagle AFAIK. I think you can import a netlist into Kicad, so it would be a matter of generating the right netlist out of Orcad if you use that. If you want to do any serious designs, then you'll need to learn layout and layout tools sooner or later anyway - you might as well do it with something you *already know works*. Cheers PeteS
need help in designing circuit
Started by ●January 4, 2007
Reply by ●January 4, 20072007-01-04
Reply by ●January 4, 20072007-01-04
On 4 Jan 2007 11:50:25 -0800, "panfilero" <panfilero@gmail.com> wrote:>Whoa! I appreciate all the responses, I didn't think it was gonna be >this complicated to get my schematic over to PCB format (I'm new to all >this). This is something that I would like to get into, so I am >willing to invest some time and energy to learning some of the better >software than taking an easy way out of this. I have access to a copy >of OrCad 10.5, if I learn how to use this and draw my schematic on it, >would this give me a file that I could send somewhere to have it made? >I mean if I'm willing to invest some time and energy into learning >software for circuit designing, what is a good, generally universely >accepted type of program to go with?With any electronic CAD program, you have to both draw your schematic, and lay out the PC board based on that schematic. The PC layout program will normally produce "Gerber" files that can be sent off to almost any board shop to get the boards made. There may be some contract board layout shops who will produce a board layout from your schematic and specs, but I expect that they will be much too expensive for hobby use.
Reply by ●October 25, 20122012-10-25
responding to http://www.electrondepot.com/electronics/need-help-in-designing-circuit-50956-.htm , Maulkin1989 wrote:> panfilero wrote: > > > > Hello, I just finished creating a circuit, it\'s a drum machine, but > I\'ve done the whole thing on a solderless breadboard. I was wondering > if anybody could give me any tips on how I could go about transferring > my design onto a PCB. If anyone could reccomend any software or such > that is good for this? I have a copy of PSPICE, but I\'m not sure if > that\'s mainly for simulations. I\'ve seen the "do it > yourself" kits > with the photo-resist chemicals and everything, but that seems > potentially messy and complicated. I was wondering if anyone was > familiar with the places that you send the schematic to and then they > mail you your PCB? > > Thanks > Joshua > >Not all CAD software work consecutively with CAM, however your best bet is PADS which is a process I was taught at AAI Learning Center in Glendale Arizona. This Low tech solution will apply to the circuit board manufacturing. You will take a Mylar and apply Rubber strips in the pattern you have the capacitors, Resistors and Relays on the board. The process will be applied to copper coated fiberglass. Then acetate will be applied with a photo-scoped process etching the copper in a solution keeping only the copper applied to the board. Feed-thru holes are a little bit harder. You may layer the underside or sandwich the copper boards into a layered board in between the fiberglass polyester board. The back side of the board having the same process as done to the other side, this process repeated to the different layers. The board may be reduced to save space and material, and preferred by the manufactured. I know AutoCAD has this feature in its program as well as other workstation programs. The following are a list of process software and you should do your homework. These CAD programs may not have a CAM process which stands for computer automated machinery.Active-Cad Active-VHDL Alias ANVIL EXPRESS Ashlar Vellum AutoCAD Avanti Bentley CADAM CADDS Cadence Cadence Allegro Cadkey Cadmax CADnetix Cadstar CALMA CATIA CoCreate Computervision Designcad 2000 HP Solid D I-DEAS Ironcad Macdraft Mentor Graphics Microstation Orcad PADS P-CAD PDMS PDS PRO/E PTC Rhino SDRC Smartsketch Solid Designer Solid Edge Solidworks Step Synopsys Tango Turbocad Veribest Verelog VesaCAD VHDL VHDL Warp View Logic Hard copy is also a process which might be difficult so contact the software dealer to find out which features might apply to you. I most like Bentley and AutoCAD. These are the leaders in IBM Compatible computers. The main CAM software may not apply to the board manufacturer .So contact a reliable machine shop to assist you. You can work together to create the jigs you will need in the manufacturing process. At the rubber plant I worked for used a manufacturer in Ohio which worked with CAM. I also worked with Whites Steel a part of Virgin Aerospace. The Fiberglass company I worked for worked with Chinese Manufactures, and the best work for these type of plans are in the Philippines. I wish you luck and hope you can make some money for the boards or at least get a good inventor. By the way are you a tinkerer or just an avid fan of electricity. I look forward to any future contact. I may be reached through any computer using Bitznpeezs@msn.com. Please feel free to contact me. If you are unable to get a reply please be aware I receive 200 emails a day and can not sift through all the junk mail. I am only on the computer 2 hours a day and answer about 2 % of replies for information. I read about 20 to 30% of my email and go to the next task in my day. I look forward to any futer contacts, questions or comments. Best Regards, Richard B. Torres 8595 Philbin Avenue, Arlanza , Arlington, Riverside County, California, 92503-2278. Majesty Village, Riverside.
