Best and Worst PCB Design Software

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[PredictableDesigns]

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[charlesmayberry]

When this started I immediately went "Kicad does everything I need" it's a little unintuitive at times, but for 99% of projects it does the trick.

[moeswartz]

Easyeda is pretty cool too, however it doesn't export 3d models last time I've checked.

[hedgie]

Oh man, if Altium is "overkill for most projects" what can you say then about Cadence Allegro or Mentor Graphics Xpedition? Not all people are designing arduino-like stuff only 😅

[ffeeejj]

I've been using PCAD 2004 a little bit on my classes at the university. Absolutely horrible 😂. Now switched from Altium to Kicad)

[canadio]

ALTIUM!!! I have used Allego, Mentor, Eagle, KiCad, and PCAD. My humble opinion. I design PCBs every day.

[thedrillnetwork]

The way I see it is, if you're a hobbyist making ESP32 boards with bad routing techniques, use KiCad which is quite decent.

If you're a professional then use Altium Designer for complexil multilayer stackup impedance controlled high speed designs.

[micah]

I started with fusion 360 for PCB design like 3 years ago. I just downloaded Kicad like a week ago to try out. I am pretty used to fusion 360 software and it’s very nice to use when you know how to use it

[DMS]

Another option is Altium’s CircuitMaker, which I haven’t used but it looks promising. It’s supposedly build around the same engine as their paid software.

I’ve been using EasyEDA and I like its integration with their parts inventory for board fabrication. I just got a batch of boards from them and it was pretty seamless. As I specified parts in my design I could quickly verify inventory and cost. I had assembled ESP32 based boards in about 10 days.

[max_eley]

Lool, man i use kicad, really good, does the job, but we have eagle too, comes with fusion, i tried to use it and in a matter of minutes i was going insane 😂😂😂, such an annoying software to use, and im not even an angry person 💀

[hanvu]

How about Proteus? Everyone in my university uses it to do projects

[silvermica]

That last statement says a lot - (with DipTrace) you can really focus on the design and not how to use the software. I've never used DipTrace. I bought Altium in 2015 and have continued to pay the maintenance fee to this very day. Altium is really nice - but the issue I have with Altium is that the tool is VERY distracting (such as bugs & new confusing features) at times and I lose focus on the design itself. This occurs WAY more than it should.

[DeadCat-]

I've been struggling with eagle looking for an alternative, I was relieved to hear you say it's ui is difficult.

[elmergloo]

I’ve used Fusion 360 for years and it is awesome. Eagle was frustrating to use I’ll admit, but as soon as they incorporated it into Fusion a few years ago it’s been great. Being able to make PCBs and design enclosures with the same software is awesome. It’s also great when you have to make small adjustments and everything syncs and updates the changes from electrical to mechanical design. Plus Fusion is free for hobbyists and great for businesses when you’re ready for the paid features.

I did a trial on Altium. I don’t care how good it is, it is too expensive.

[rakshitpatel]

Experience says everything, , , , Thanks sir

[WrittenByMasooma]

The best part is KiCAD is available for Linux systems as well

[germanrocha]

How about Proteus, do you guys have any comment or experience with it?

[hopelessnerd]

A package that I really like is DEX. The graphics are superb, and for hobbyists that make their own PCB's, the plotter subsystem is by far the most user friendly and feature rich I've seen. It's pay software for $145, but it's frequently on sale for much less. It will import from Eagle, so you can find pre-made parts. Community support is almost nonexistent because of the smaller user base. The author is very responsive to user requests, and I have had him add features and fix bugs for me. No, I'm not paid to type this. Wish I was!

[pdpp]

Yes, its also my opinion. Kicad and Diptrace! I know Eagle and Altium. Eagle is not good, Altium is too expensive. Diptace could has nicer schematic diagrams

[yptechtips]

Altium also provides a free student license.