gnupic@linuxhacker.org

On Friday 25 April 2003 12:14, Byron A Jeff wrote:
> It's an Open Source PCB layout tool. It looks pretty good but it doesn't
> seem to have a lot of support. No tutorials or examples outside of its
> self contained documentation. I was wondering if anyone has used it?
> Any tips or tutorials that you know of? Is it worth the investment of
> learning or is Eagle the way to go?

I looked around about 1-1/2 years ago.  There are a couple open source PCB 
packages out there.  However, I couldn't find any that supported schematic 
capture and PCB editing that truely worked together.  The Geda stuff looks 
the most promising, but it didn't look far enough along for what I needed.

I ended up getting the full Eagle bundle for $600.  If it makes you feel 
better OrCAD costs $7500 without the autorouter!  I've been pretty happy with 
Eagle.  The biggest weakness in my mind is in library management.  They have 
an external program that improves that for Windows, but there isn't a Linux 
version.  

I just generate gerber files and send them out (PCBExpress).  Plated through 
holes, solder mask, and silk screen really make things work better for me.  
The open source package gerbv makes checking gerber files pretty easy.

I've attached my notes from the original search.  I would welcome any 
corrections or updates that people have.

-Dan

CAD systems for Linux
Dan Christian
24 Dec 2002

I was looking at schematic CAD programs for Linux to handle general
wiring diagrams.  Library support is require.  Rulers and multiple pages
per file are desired.  It looks like sticking to EagleCAD is the best
option.


EagleCAD:  http://www.cadsoft.de/

I currently use this for PCB design and it can do schematics without a
board, but you carry the PCB part layouts along anyway (even though they
are never used).  Runs on Linux and Windows.  Full featured.  Price $0 -
$600.


GEDA:  http://www.geda.seul.org/

This probably has the best potential in a year or so.  Still considered
alpha software.  No rulers.  Multiple page support.


xcircuit: http://xcircuit.ece.jhu.edu/

Schematic capture program that uses Postscript as it's underlying file
format.  One page per file.  Nice looking output.  No rulers.  Powerful
text formatting.  Doesn't use any toolkits.  Dialog boxes are often
mis-formatted.  Looks like an old Xlib app.  User interface feels very
odd (even for a CAD program).  Spice interface.  Limited pcb support
through "pcb" (http://pcb.ece.jhu.edu/).


qcad:

Autocad like program with electrical symbol libraries.  Looks nice.
Supports layers.  No rulers, but nice grids.  Single page per file.


GNOME Assisted Electronics (gael):  http://gael.sourceforge.net/

Promising program, but still in a state of flux (about to be rewritten).


oregeno:  http://oregano.codefactory.se/

Nice program, but not actively developed.  Redirects people to gael.


yaeda:  www.yaeda.org

Not being actively developed


engyCAD: http://glassy.to.kg

Mechanical CAD program oriented around Russian standards.


sodipodi, sketch, kivio, kontour, dia, xfig:

Manly designed as illustration programs (no library support).


cycas:	www.cycas.de

Not free or open source.  Runs on Linux and Windows.  Designed for
architecture work.  Looks rather nice.  Price $80-$300.