I’ve yet to see DipTrace mentioned. Is it still available? That’s what I moved to after ExpressPCB. I found it he easiest to learn.

 

One more thing: Not being good with PCB software is far different from being stupid!! First, there really IS a serious learning curve, especially with the schematic capture part. And I can certainly appreciate the level of frustration. That is so far from stupid that they are not in the same book. I have to fight against stupid people elsewhere, and it is very much different than inexperienced and frustrated.

That is the end of my rant about that!!! Just wanted to clarify things.

 

This guy's tutorials are excellent, there is one collection out there where the guy just cannot teach.
https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/useful-links-for-learning-kicad.164953/
It is for an older version, but you get the gist.

 

I’ve yet to see DipTrace mentioned. Is it still available? That’s what I moved to after ExpressPCB. I found it he easiest to learn.

I agree with DipTrace, and brought it up in post #15, then Bobamosfet chimed in about it in post #16.

 

It stands to reason You cannot have one without the other

Sorry, but I believe that is dead wrong. Good design can give you both.

Bob

 

Agree with Bob, as above.
I've used ACAD since r.12 (DOS version) and have now reached the dizzy heights of 2007!
I tried most PCB software where there was a free (if cut down) version. I ended up with Diptrace and never looked back. Couldn't get on with the others. The nice people there upgraded my version free of charge (as it was for non-commercial use).
That is my recommendation for the TS. I'm sure we can help with any queries.

 

Seriously? What advantage do you see for a schematic for the design the TS is talking about?

Bob

I was responding your your 'general' statement- not the TP schematic in specific. Schematics, even for breadboard projects are useful and should be done particularly if someone is a) learning, and/or b) having trouble.

 

Just throwing my $0.02 out there- I don't think any of this applications people use necessarily have a 'long' learning curve- I think in many cases, it's a) how you approach the program, and b) how you get yourself oriented.

Fundamentally, it is necessary to learn just a few things to gain competency within 3 or 4 days:

1. How to select, orient, and label components
2. How to create your own components
3. How to link them
4. How to use the netlist features
5. How to output your BOM
6. How create a pcb with many similar steps above, and link the schematic to it

Fundamentally, create a _small_ project to learn the software while you are not under pressure, and work through it. It's easier in small steps, than looking at the product as a daunting whole.

IMHO

 

Some programs have rather complex processes for each of those steps listed, as well as a whole lot of other commands that are required for such simple tasks as "just linking" the components. And creating components, or using the library of components, is not always that simple. Just selecting the reference point and then placing it so that the connection pins fall on the grid can be quite complex.