On Fri, Aug 12, 2016 at 7:25 PM, Brooke Clarke <bro...@pacific.net> wrote:
> Hi Chris: > > ExpressPCB has very easy to use free software for schematic capture (later > used to check the board wiring) and software for board layout including > making custom components if their library of stock components does not have > what you need. The output file format is proprietary, which makes it > interesting that Far Circuits can read it. > > I just have not wanted to go through learning curve for Gerber files and > all the associated stuff (maybe drilling, silk screen, solder mask) which > is very easy to do with ExpressPCB. I did my first 'CAD' PCB with EasyTrax... a DOS program. Must have been about 1998 as that's the copyright date I put on the board. Believe me, getting any of the current programs to produce gerber files is trivial compared to using EasyTrax and making it produce gerber files. In fact, I usually us itead.cc for small boards and they provide the script to produce gerber files from Eagle, which is what I currently use. I've also used OSH Park and you can simply send an Eagle board file to them; just as easy as using ExpressPCB without the expensive tie-in. I must admit ExpressPCB leaves me with a sour taste - many published projects seem to use them as I suppose the author liked the free software. But then everyone that uses the ExpressPCB files that the author supplies pays the ExpressPCB premium. $300 in one case and the boards weren't even flat! Orin. _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.