When PCB is not discovered, all components are connected with wire externally, same as we connect all components on a breadboard. But this increases complexity and size. To solve this issue, PCBs are invented. Now for how to design a PCB, there are many tool and software available online, but out of them, which software suits your application, is discussed here in this article. We have already learned about Basics of PCB in our previous article. In this article, we will discuss and compare some good PCB designing software for their price, usability and other features. Here we are discussing some most commonly used EDA software like EAGLE, Multisim, EasyEDA, Altium design, OrCAD, and KiCAD. These softwares are widely used for PCB designing as well as for simulation of the circuit.
Eagle:
How to Design Schematic Diagrams and PCB Layout using Eagle from Cadsoft. This is a quick overview on how to design Schematic Diagrams and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design Using Eagle. Lightweight – EAGLE is about as svelte as PCB design software gets. It requires anywhere from 50-200MB of disk space (compared to the 10+GB more advanced tools might require). It requires anywhere from 50-200MB of disk space (compared to the 10+GB more advanced tools might require). The Eagle PCB design software can run on a wide range of operating systems including mac and windows. 2.2 Download, Install and Run Cadsoft is the developer of this software, and you can, therefore, download it from their site.
Most useful and common CAD software for PCB designing is EAGLE. EAGLE stands for Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor. This software was developed by CADSoft Computer but in 2016 EAGLE is taken by AUTODESK now.
EAGLE has a very simple, effective and easy interface and provide a library which contains a large number of electrical and electronics components. That is the main reason for being most popular PCB designing software among educationist, hobbyist, and professionals. EAGLE can be installed support on Windows, Linux and MAC platform and also the free version of this software is available for on website of AUTODESK.
Eagle has two editors; Schematic editor and PCB layout editor. The schematic editor is used to add all components and connect according to the circuit requirement. This schematic file has unique features like modular design block, multi-sheet schematic, electronic rule checking and real-time design synchronization. After this, schematic is directly converted into PCB layout editor, in which we can set components according to less complexity. This PCB layout editor also has some good features like alignment tools, obstacle avoidance, routing engine. These features are available in free version.
For professional use, EAGLE provides paid version which is available at 1000$/year. In this paid version, AUTODESK provides technical support that includes call, mail and online chat support and provides access to latest release software. But for educational and self-use free version of this software has enough features.
When you install the free version of EAGLE and open it, the first page is control panel as shown in below figure.
As shown in above figure, folder name and description of that folder or file are given. First is Documentation which contains some tutorial documents. Second is Libraries (.lbr), which contain a large list of electrical components. More components are easily available from the internet and, search them and paste into library folder at the installed directory. Next is design block (.dbl), where you can find some inbuilt design of most common circuits which you can directly add to your project. Design rules (.dru) contain rules for track, drill and final copper with important notes and some information. Next is User Language Programs (.ulp) which is used to access data structure and to create an output file. The user can build their own ULP file. Next is Scripts (.scr), which contains text files with eagle commands and it is very useful for automating a task like drawing a pattern, change of width of all traces. CAM jobs (computer aided manufacturing) (.cam) contains some standard CAM files and the last one is Projects which contains a list of the project with schematic and PCB layout file made by the user.
You can also make a Gerber file with the help of eagle. Gerber file is a universal language for PCB designing and this is the last step of PCB designing.
Multisim:
Multisim is widely used by students and researchers because it contains a powerful research, teaching and circuit design software. Multisim is advanced, powerful, industry standard, best in class SPICE simulation environment which is most popular world-wide because of their unique features and easy to implement circuit design. If you compare Multisim with eagle, the main advantage of Multisim is that it has a simulation environment which is not available in eagle but if you compare for only PCB designing purpose, eagle has good platform compared to Multisim.
Multisim was developed by electronics workbench and interactive image technology. At that time, this software is just used to teach electronic programs in colleges, this software was not much used for industrial applications but after some features add by National Instrument and it has widely accepted by professionals and educators. Multisim is available in two additions; one is made for students and educators and second is made for professionals and industrial purposes.
Multisim enhances powerful simulation technology with the ability to analyze analog, digital and power electronics across education, research, and design. This software has functionality like all-new parameter analysis, integration with new embedded targets and simplified design with user-definable templates. Multisim Standard Service Program (SSP) customers also have access to self-paced online training.
You can download the Multisim trial version from here.
EasyEDA:
EasyEDA is a web-based Electronic design automation (EDA) tool. It is a web-based tool, so no need to download or install any software. To use EasyEDA, you have to open easyeda.com only, from any HTML5 capable web browser and it doesn’t matter that which OS you are using, it can be used in windows, Linux, MAC. Only you require is web browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer and Opera but it is recommended to use this in chrome or firefox for better performance. This is the biggest advantage of EasyEDA.
EasyEDA provides features like; simple, user-friendly and it is a very good platform if you don’t have much knowledge about PCB designing and it can use at anywhere, anytime and from any device. One advantage of this site is, it has large numbers of open source projects, which is easily available from the internet and also very good tutorials are available in EasyEDA official website. Even we have developed many PCB Projects using EasyEDA here in CircuitDigest. It has more than 500000 libraries with symbol and footprint of components and also has a feature to create your own component if it is not available in the library with symbol and footprint. One more advantage is, it can support other software libraries and schematic which includes Altium, EAGLE, LTspice, and DXF.
When you open https://easyeda.com/editor this link, it will look like below screenshot. In this editor you find navigation panel, toolbar, workspace, drawing tools, writing tools any many more functions. Let’s start with navigation panel which contains EELib, design, Parts, Shared, LCSC.
EELib means EasyEDA libraries which provide lots of components.
Design that is design manager which is used to check each component on the net easily.
Parts which contains schematic symbols and PCB footprints.
Shared if someone sends their project to you than this will appear in the shared tab.
LCSC: If you want to buy components to finish your PCB project, you should try another website LCSC.com
Drawing toolbar: Sheet setting, line, image, Bezier, arc, text, freehand draw, arrowhead, rectangle, polygon, ellipse, pie, drag and canvas origin.
Wiring toolbar: wire, bus, bus entry, netlabel, net flag VCC, net flag +5V, net port, net flag ground, voltage probe, pin, group/ungroup symbol.
Altium:
Altium is a costliest PCB designing software. If you want to buy a license version of this software its cost you 7,245 USD. So, this is a software for that company which has good budgets and best software for corporate engineers. If you are a freelancer than maybe this is not a good choice.
Altium designer have features like PCB designing, schematic capture, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) development. This software also has some common features like, auto cross probing, interconnected multi-channel design, fast and high-quality routing, component placement system, signal integrity, hole tolerance definitions, visual layer stack management, collision detection, offline design system. At the end, it also can view entire PCB in 3D and also have a unique feature that you can navigate entire PCB. Most important part of Altium is that Altium provides a very good tip for PCB designing and it supports team. Also have unique graphic processing power which made Altium different from other cheap PCB designing software. This software is generally used to design a complicated and very complex circuit with very fast with realistic results. In 3D view, it shows physical looks of the components which give batter idea about circuit and it makes easy to understand.
If you want to get more idea about 3D visualization go through this 3D visualization video.
For personal view of mine, Altium is not a good choice because of cost only if you are not considering cost problem it is a very good software.
You can download the free trial of Altium Designer software for here.
KiCAD
KiCAD is a free software for electrical design automation and this software does not require any licence. Documentation of this software is distributed under two choices; GNU General Pubic Licence and Creative Common Atributes. KiCAD is freely available software, but for new development they accept money as a donation, if anyone want to donate, otherwise its free for all users. Setup of this software and libraries are easily available from its website. You can download the KiCAD and its libraries from its official website.
KiCAD is developed by jean-pierre charras. This software is used to create a BoM (Bill of Materials), Gerber file and also it provides 3D layout of the PCB. KiCAD also have their own library, which contains most of all electrical components. This software is also available in 19 different languages and it can run in windows, Linux and MAC.
KiCAD is divided into five parts;
KiCAD that is project manager; Eeschema that is the schematic capture editor; pcbnew that shows layout of PCB in both 2D and 3D; gerbfile is used to generate Gerber file; bitmap2component can convert images to footprint.
Out of this parts Eeschema and pcbnew is mostly used. Eeschema has features like custom symbol creation, electrical rule checking and hierarchical schematic sheets. In PcbNew, it provides very easy way to routing the components and also it makes easy to troubleshooting of PCB. if you want to change any vias, hole, trace or any other components of PCB, it is easy in KiCAD compared to other software. When you made a PCB, you can check your design in interactive 3D view. Eeschema and pcbnew also supports EAGLE files. If you are new with KiCAD, tutorials are also given in PDF format in many languages and also video tutorials are also available in website.
Overall software is good for beginners and biggest advantage is that, this software is free available. So, one does not require to purchase any licence or not require to find cracked version of it.
You can download the KiCAD from here.
OrCAD
Name of this software was coming from name of the company Oregon. OrCAD = Oregon + CAD. This software is not freely available. Price of this licence version is starting 2300 USD. OrCAD is developed by John Durbetaki, Ken and Keith Seymour.
OrCAD is divided in two parts; OrCAD Capture and PSpice. OrCAD Capture is used to design circuits and this part is known as PCB suite. OrCAD provides three types of PCB suites; OrCAD Standard, OrCAD Professional and Allegro PCB. OrCAD standard is a concept to production design environment and price of this is starting from 1300 USD. OrCAD Professional has professional grade PCB design capabilities. This version is costly compare to standard version and it worth 2300 USD. Allegro PCB is used for expertise level PCB design.
OrCAD PSpice is used for simulation and verification for circuit. PSpice is stands for Personal Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis. Capture and PSpice make complete simulator and PCB designing tool. PSpice is also available in two versions; PSpice Designer and PCB Designer plus. PSpice Designer is for industry standard simulation technology and contains 33000 parts in library. This version is starting from 1980 USD. PSpice designer plus is analyse for reliability, cost and yield. This version has all features of PCB designer and other unique features like cost analysis, yield analysis, design optimisation, system C/C++ modelling and simulation, reliability analysis and HW/SW co-simulation.
OrCAD PSpice can simulate circuit which is design in capture and it also can simulate design from MATLAB/Simulink. This feature makes OrCAD unique from all other softwares.
You can download the trial version of OrCAD from here.
Conclusion:
Out of these software, Eagle provides best results for PCB designing. If you are professional PCB designer and your application is very large and complex and you don’t have money consideration than go for Altium designer. If you are beginner and you don’t have much more idea about PCB designing than go for EAGLE or EasyEDA, because you find very good resources and tutorial from internet which is very helpful if you are beginner. If you need it in a Company and don’t want to purchase any licence then use KiCAD.
But I personally choose EAGLE, which supports in all types of applications.
When it’s time to get serious about PCB design, it’s time to look at Altium Designer.
TOPICS IN THIS SOLUTION
ALTIUM DESIGNER
The most powerful, modern and easy-to-use PCB design tool for professional use.
Eagle Circuit Software
Maybe you’ve always had a free copy on your computer, or maybe it has been in your company for a long time, or maybe it’s a left-over from your college days. Whatever the reason is, you’re still designing printed circuit boards using a PCB design tool that is underpowered and behind the times. You have frustrations because of the lack of advanced functionality, the old-school style behavior, and the inability to grow and advanced as you need to. It’s time to look elsewhere for PCB design tools that can get the job done for you with the latest features and capabilities. It’s time to move up to Altium Designer.
Altium Designer is the PCB Design Software for Your PCB Design Needs
For a long time now you, and any designer, have needed PCB design software that will not only get the job done, but allow your company to grow in your design technology. To do this you need the most robust design tools possible, and Altium Designer is the answer that you’ve been looking for. Starting with one of the most advanced schematic and schematic capture tools available, Altium Designer will help you to create your circuitry whether it is a simple one-sheet schematic or a large hierarchical multi-sheet design. Your PCB layout needs to have the capabilities to handle your design needs efficiently and keep your circuit boards organized.
From there, Altium Designer efficiently moves you into PCB layout with state of the art place and route tools including user-guided autoroute technology that will give you manual-like precision in your trace routing at auto-router speeds. There’s more though, after importing your design mechanical data you will be able to use Altium Designer’s native 3D engine to verify the form and fit to all mechanical constraints alongside your board requirements. You’ve needed this functionality for a long time now, and Altium Designer is ready to deliver it.
Advanced PCB Design Tools for Your Growing Design Technologies
Equipped with an intuitive PCB editor, you’ll feel confident in exceeding expectations on your designs utilizing anything from smart design rules to pins and pin placement. You don’t need to design just what’s in front of you today, you need Altium Designer in order to be ready for what’s coming at you and your boards in the years to come.
- Whether small or large, single sheet or multi-sheet, simple or complex, Altium Designer’s advanced hierarchical schematic editor is ready to help you create tomorrow’s designs today.
Learn More about hierarchical schematic editing in Altium Designer. - If you are tired of fighting with complicated batch auto-routers that don’t give you the results you want, but you need to speed up your routing times, wait until you see Active Route in Altium Designer.
Learn More about user-guided auto-routing of traces in Altium Designer. - To shorten the time to market with emerging technologies, you need to be able to work with your mechanical design data while still in layout – and Altium Designer is ready to help.
Learn More about how Altium Designer integrates you with mechanical design in 3D.
Altium Designer is ready to help you with its native 3D engine
Altium Designer is the Clear Winner in Eagle vs Altium
Eagle Schematic Design
There are clearly many factors which go into how to determine which software is better. Which industries your designs are involved in and therefore which features are most necessary for you, or how much you have to learn in the software to be proficient with it, for instance. But a software shouldn’t be considered based on how much a designer needs to learn to use it - a CAD software should be chosen because it doesn’t require a heavy learning curve. For a thorough comparison, look at some of Altium Designer’s incomparable features:
- Superior Schematic Capture and Layout Tools: Built with the PCB designer in-mind, Altium Designer’s schematic capture and layout tools are top-of-the-line. These are the bread-and-butter for any PCB design software, but Altium Designer’s versions are intended to have every quick-access menu and shortcut options to let you customize your interface and commands as efficiently as you need to.
- Unified Design Environment: What sets Altium Designer apart from the rest of the competition is its unified design environment. Within the unified design environment, a user can jump between circuit board layout to 3D model viewer to BOM management and component information with both ease and without having to exit or halt progress in any interface. Furthermore, this means that the data you’ve built into your parts in the beginning will be used throughout the design without the need to transfer and translate. Your schematic and layout will synchronize effortlessly with each other without complicated processes and scripts to force them to talk to each other
- Simulation and Analysis Tools: Not only does Altium Designer tote one of the most thorough and strong design rule checking systems available, but behind these tools are powerful PDN and signal integrity analysis tools which can continue to demonstrate how secure your designs will translate into manufacturing.
- Advanced Auto and Auto-Interactive Routing Tools: Especially with HDI and microvia boards, strong routing tools are necessary features for any PCB design software. Altium Designer also maintains an intuitive auto-interactive router which will guide you and make it so that you can customize and complete your board’s routing necessities with ease and ahead-of-schedule.
- 64-Bit Multi-Threading System Architecture: The cherry on top of the cake is that Altium Designer is built on 64-bit multi-threading system architecture to ensure that you will always have as much design power as you need.
Altium Designer is designed to remove the hindrances to PCB design and instead provide you with an intuitive and seamless design workflow. Altium’s software engineers have been creating the best PCB software tools now for over 30 years. They know what your needs are, and they are constantly improving and enhancing Altium Designer to give you what you need. There’s no question; Altium Designer is the clear choice over any other design tool.
The Power of Altium Designer that Puts it Ahead of the Competition
You are going to be amazed at the power Altium Designer has under-the-hood to expertly handle all of your design needs.
- Altium Designer has been created from the ground up to leverage the power and advanced capabilities of a 64-bit multi-threading system architecture.
Learn More about the Altium Designer’s powerful platform full of PCB design tools. - There’s no question, the secret sauce in Altium Designer is its unified design environment allowing you to easily and intuitively work within its tools.
Learn More about the core methodology of a unified design environment in Altium Designer. - See how Altium’s engineers are always upgrading and improving Altium Designer to stay current alongside you as your design needs grow.
Learn More about how Altium is constantly improving and upgrading Altium Designer.
The key to PCB design success; Altium Designer’s unified design environment
Eagle Software For Pcb Design Ideas
The Ease of Making the Switch to Altium Designer
Eagle Software For Pcb Designing Pdf
You probably don’t need a lot of convincing when it comes to switching up to Altium Designer from Eagle. The lack of features, dealing with archaic programming scripts and an outdated workflow, and even having to pay for that monthly subscription license instead of paying just for the tools you use may all be part of your frustrations with Eagle. Do you realize though just how easy it will be for you to switch? Altium Designer comes with the capability to easily translate your Eagle design files. With very little effort you can translate your Eagle BRD, SCH, and LBR files straight into the Altium Designer environment.
After setting some options to govern how the data will be processed you will be ready to translate PCB files and once finished you will then be able to put the full power of Altium Designer to work on these translated design files. With Altium Designer’s CAD software you will be able to import multiple PCB designs into one session, leverage Altium’s cloud connection with your part vendors for real-time part data and information, and utilize Altium Designer’s simulators and analyzers like the Power Distribution Network Analyzer to verify the distribution of power in your PCB design. There’s so much more that you will be able to do in your PCB design once you switch over to Altium Designer.
A Whole New World of Design Capabilities Await You Once You Switch
You are going to be amazed at the whole new world of PCB design tool functionality available to you once you easily convert your old Eagle designs into Altium Designer and start building your printed circuit boards in an excellent PCB editor.
How To Use Eagle Software For Pcb Designing
- With Altium Designer you can pull in multiple designs into your current session to check their 3D fit and connectivity.
Learn More about working with multiple PCB designs in one session in Altium Designer. - With Altium Designer Active BOM, not only will you have yet another portal into your design for working with and exporting part data and Gerber files, but you will also have real-time connections with your part vendors for immediate component data and information for your hardware.
Learn More about real-time cloud connections to part vendors using Active BOM. - Altium Designer provides you with simulation tools such as the PDN Analyzer to visually verify the power distribution on your PCB design while you are still in layout.
Learn More about how to analyze your PCB power distribution network in Altium Designer.
There’s no reason to be held back in your PCB designs with outdated tools. Take a look at how easily Altium Designer can bring your design efforts to a new level.