Software for pcb design

Thread Starter

urb-nurd

Joined Jul 9, 2014
269
For a school project i am trying to use ORCAD capture lite 16.6 but i am failing to get the parts that i need through the online parts databse.

Are there any alternatives to this software?

I have seen proteus, however this is not free.

Thanks
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,619
I have gone over to using free Kicad, they have a very good parts selection and other schematic components and footprints are easy to design, either from scratch or modify the existing.
There is also FreePCB that looks quite good.
Kicad has quite a few tutorials also.
Max.
 

Thread Starter

urb-nurd

Joined Jul 9, 2014
269
Thanks for the info Max.

I only need this to compose the schematic of an embedded system for a piece of university coursework.

So i basically need to be able to compose a schematic with component footprints in a rapid a fashion as possible.

I assume Kicad is ok for this?
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,619
Yes, it is is divided into three, Schematic capture, Assign Netlist, and PCB layout.
So you would just need to use the first.
Max.
 
Last edited:

ErnieM

Joined Apr 24, 2011
8,377
From someone who has worked with both ORCAD and Kicad I would have to say it is essentially a very similar process in steps and time to "compose a schematic with component footprints in a rapid a fashion as possible."

Orcad does have an extra tool to create pad shapes that Kicad integrates into the footprint portion, but the same steps are needed in either.

So if you are already somewhat familiar with Orcad then just read the manual to learn how to create symbols and footprints. If you jump to Kicad you are tossing whatever you have already learned about Orcad.
 

DerStrom8

Joined Feb 20, 2011
2,390
I never cared much for Kicad, but that was just a personal preference. I've tried a wide variety of schematic/PCB capture programs (both free and not). My favorite free one is Eagle, which I used for all of my projects until I got Altium. Altium is FAR more powerful, yet it also costs quite a bit.

You should try a bunch yourself and see which you prefer. Here's a list of a few of them:

ExpressPCB/ExpressSCH
FreePCB
KiCAD
Eagle
DIPTrace
PCB123
DesignSpark
 
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