PCB123 for Windows

User Reviews

• Best free PCB desing software on the market.

  islanderscafeAugust 19, 2009

  Pros

  Live BOM and instant online pricing for both assembly, parts and fab as I design

  Cons

  Great functionality- much more capabilities than other free software.

  Summary

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• Hangs on Vista

  2crazy4uApril 21, 2009

  Pros

  Lots of IC libraries from various manufacturers would really be helpful.

  Cons

  1. Hangs when launched using windows Vista 2. Very steep learnnig curve

  Summary

  Try it. See if you can get it to run on windows Vista. I couldn't.

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• Works well (better than i thought)

  SFX GroupMarch 18, 2009

  Pros

  Able to design a board (both sides) and silkscreen parts, will do connections as well and able to move them. Also has a design are so you can import that to the 3D design layout.

  Cons

  The only thing is, its design to ORDER from them only, so really isnt any good for anything else, you can take pics though and print so might be ok for Microsoft writers to save the file.

  Summary

  Works well, however you cant export your designs for your own use, that said it does work well to learn how to design boards and circuits...

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• Its a great tool. ver 3.2.4 will be much better .

  GeorgeFederMarch 6, 2009

  Pros

  The ease of making footprints and schematic symbols.

  Cons

  some commands are not consistant between schematic development and board Layout.

  Summary

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• Easy to use but wont generate gerber files

  apcharFebruary 19, 2008

  Pros

  It's easy to use. Much easier than Pads. Customer service is very good.

  Cons

  The biggest drawback is that it will not produce Gerber files. The file format is proprietary so you can only submit your designs to PCB123 (that's the catch.)<p>It's not immediately obvious where to put your own footprint library so you have to be careful not to wipe it out when you uninstall.<p>You don't have enough independent control over each pad. For instance, you can not selectively set the spacing around each pad and you can't pick and choose which pads will use thermal reliefs.<p>I wouldn't put it on par with freePCB but the integration with the company does make it easy to get your board done.

  Summary

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• Good program, not bad

  gep59December 23, 2007

  Pros

  Well put together, a few bugs.

  Cons

  Takes a while to learn.

  Summary

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• appropriet as per my requirement

  monoranjan khatoniarNovember 22, 2007

  Pros

  vary easy, user friendly

  Cons

  Summary

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• I am just a bigginer trying to learn the use of this softwhare

  ahmed tanyelNovember 16, 2007

  Pros

  as I say I'm learning. But comparing to Boaredmaker I used to know it is more difficuld.

  Cons

  When I become familiar with it I think it will be OK

  Summary

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• Very useful, but some concerns...

  Jeffin90620May 12, 2007

  Pros

  I have (cheaply) made short runs of PCBs for test jigs and production units (so cheap, it justified the use of PCBs over perf board and wirewrap). (Fairly) easy to create new parts for the library and it has a good search ability for existing parts. I can quickly position parts by entering the Device Label (it places the part under the cursor). Copper fill automatically provides clearances for components & traces and thermals for connected pins. Toll-free (& competent) tech support during business hours. Easily and quickly zoom out then in on the cursor location to move around the board. 3rd party netlists are supported (not a lot, but every package I have seen outputs at least one of the supported formats).

  Cons

  Auto-routing is very limited (one trace width only) and I have seen better implementations. Steep learning curve for people who haven't laid out PCBs before, mediocre documentation and haphazard User's Forum at their website, but I produced a good PCB after a day's effort.

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• Too difficult to use

  pendetectionNovember 25, 2006

  Pros

  Accurate drawing and possibility to order finished products. No more hassle with ink, cupper, perchlorate pump etc.

  Cons

  At the beginning size etc OK, <p>After that we need connectors. Where are they? <p>Then you need a flip flop 4013 for example, where to find it? If they are somewhere, please with pinout. <p>Ideal would be a simulating software. You give input data, look at the signals all over the board to see the influence.

  Summary

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