Free PCB Design Software introduction

There are many PCB Design Softwares available. Some softwares are proprietary and paid while some are available for free with some restrictions. The article gives a list of few commonly used PCB layout design softwares. The softwares mentioned here are not listed or categorized in any specific order. Depending on the requirement of the user and the project, one must select the software.To download these softwares click on their names.

Proprietary or Paid Software introduction from electronicshub(if you need pcb boards,i suggest pcbway,as low as 8dollars for 10pieces)：

Altium Designer

Altium Designer is a premium EDA software for PCB, FPGA and embedded system design.

It is one of the popular PCB design package. Altium Designer tool suite includes all aspects of product development like schematic capture, PCB design or layout, embedded software development, FPGA design etc. in a single design environment.

It is available for Windows platform.

OrCAD PCB Designer

OrCAD PCB Designer is another popular PCB design software from Cadence. It is a part of OrCAD Circuit Design Suite, which also includes OrCAD Capture, OrCAD PSpice Designer etc.

OrCAD PCB Designer includes various automation features for PCB design, board-level analysis and design rule checks (DRC).

The routing in the PCB design can be done either manually or using the Auto-Router provided.

It is available for Windows and Linux platforms.

DipTrace

• DipTrace offers everything to create simple or complex multi-layer printed circuit boards.
• The DipTrace software has four modules: Schematic capture, PCB Layout editor, component & pattern editor and 3D modelling of PCB. It supports Windows, Mac and Linux.
• There are different versions like starter, standard and full with DipTrace full version being the ultimate edition will no restrictions.
• There is also a 30-day trial version available for free.

Eagle

• EAGLE stands for Easy Applicable Graphical Layout Editor.
• It is a powerful schematic capture and PCB design software package developed by CadSoft.
• Eagle is a fully integrated tool providing necessary features to create the simplest to complex designs.
• It offers user friendly yet powerful solutions for PCB design with the help of three modules: Schematic Capture, Board Layout, and Auto-router.
• It is available for all the major platforms like Windows, Mac and Linux.
• There are both paid and free versions of Eagle available. The free version has many limitations and is suitable for hobbyists to design small circuits.

Mentor Graphics Xpedition

• Xpedition is a PCB design software from Mentor Graphics.
• It is generally used in FPGA designs. The software comprises of six PCB design tasks: Design creation, Simulation, PCB Layout, Design Collaboration, Library Management and Design for manufacturing.

Auto TRAX DEX

Auto TRAX Design Express (DEX) is a powerful PCB design software for electronic engineers developed by DEX2020.

It is an integrated EDA tool that has tools like schematic capture, PCB design physical layout, built in SPICE simulator, 3D board visualization etc.

TINA

• TINA Design Suite is an integrated circuit simulator for analog, digital and mixed signals and PCB design.
• TINA is available for Windows, Linux and Mac and there is a cloud based online version which can be accessed using any web browser.
• The integrated PCB design software has all the features needed for advanced PCB design like multilayer PCB’s, auto-placement, auto-routing, 3D view of the PCB design, Gerber file output and many more.

Proteus

Features

• Schematic Capture module
• PCB Layout module
• Hardware Accelerated Display Technology
• Global Shape Based Autorouting
• External Autorouter Interface
• 3D Board Visualisation