- Average user rating: stars out of 17 votes Back to product review
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User reviews
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3 stars
Version: PCB123 2.1.0.7
"Easy to use but wont generate gerber files"
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.)
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.
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.
I wouldn't put it on par with freePCB but the integration with the company does make it easy to get your board done.
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4 stars
Version: PCB123 2.1.0.7
Pros: Well put together, a few bugs.
Cons: Takes a while to learn.
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4 stars
Version: PCB123 2.1.0.7
"appropriet as per my requirement"
Pros: vary easy, user friendly
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4 stars
Version: PCB123 2.1.0.7
"I am just a bigginer trying to learn the use of this softwhare"
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
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4 stars
Version: PCB123 2.1.0.7
"Very useful, but some concerns..."
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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