1 - What Open Source Schematic Capture program is widely used?
I ask because a large user base means the program may have some legs and possibly a good support forum.
2 - Once the schematic is captured will it convert it to a PC Board layout... or output a file that can be used by another PC Board layout program?
3 - Is there a widely used open source PC Board Layout program that will output a file that most PC Board manufactures can use? If not what?
3 - What file format will PC Board layout programs be looking form the Schematic Capture program?
Is there a standard, defacto standard, or other widely used such format?
4 - Once the PC Board layout is done what file format will PC Board manufacturers be looking for?
5 - I prefer not to use proprietary apps supplied by PC Board manufacturing companies as I would be concerned about being the design being locked into their program and their company's manufacturing... am I right about this?
I've more or less been out of the loop for an extended period of time so thanks in advance for helping me catch up.
I ask because a large user base means the program may have some legs and possibly a good support forum.
2 - Once the schematic is captured will it convert it to a PC Board layout... or output a file that can be used by another PC Board layout program?
3 - Is there a widely used open source PC Board Layout program that will output a file that most PC Board manufactures can use? If not what?
3 - What file format will PC Board layout programs be looking form the Schematic Capture program?
Is there a standard, defacto standard, or other widely used such format?
4 - Once the PC Board layout is done what file format will PC Board manufacturers be looking for?
5 - I prefer not to use proprietary apps supplied by PC Board manufacturing companies as I would be concerned about being the design being locked into their program and their company's manufacturing... am I right about this?
I've more or less been out of the loop for an extended period of time so thanks in advance for helping me catch up.