Empathy List Archives

RE

Randy Evans

Mon, Jan 5, 2015 2:28 PM

This is indirectly pertinent to the group since I am designing a PCB for
the HP-419A and Fluke 845A modifications. Does anyone have any
experience/comments on the Design Spark PCB design package? Is is a viable
package for hobbyist use?

thanks,

Randy Evans

This is indirectly pertinent to the group since I am designing a PCB for the HP-419A and Fluke 845A modifications. Does anyone have any experience/comments on the Design Spark PCB design package? Is is a viable package for hobbyist use? thanks, Randy Evans

DD

Dr. David Kirkby (Kirkby Microwave Ltd)

Mon, Jan 5, 2015 3:40 PM

On 5 Jan 2015 15:36, "Randy Evans" randyevans2688@gmail.com wrote:

This is indirectly pertinent to the group since I am designing a PCB for
the HP-419A and Fluke 845A modifications. Does anyone have any
experience/comments on the Design Spark PCB design package? Is is a

viable

package for hobbyist use?

thanks,

Randy Evans

I have not used it.

Have you looked at Kicad? It is used by both professionals and hobbyists,
and being open source, is not reliant on RS to update it.

Now there is a decent open source PCB layout program, I would not suggest
anyone learn a new proprietary package unless there were very good
reasons, such as an employer says you must use a particular program.

Dave

On 5 Jan 2015 15:36, "Randy Evans" <randyevans2688@gmail.com> wrote: > > This is indirectly pertinent to the group since I am designing a PCB for > the HP-419A and Fluke 845A modifications. Does anyone have any > experience/comments on the Design Spark PCB design package? Is is a viable > package for hobbyist use? > > thanks, > > Randy Evans I have not used it. Have you looked at Kicad? It is used by both professionals and hobbyists, and being open source, is not reliant on RS to update it. Now there is a decent open source PCB layout program, I would not suggest anyone learn a new proprietary package unless there were very good reasons, such as an employer says you must use a particular program. Dave

DC

David C. Partridge

Mon, Jan 5, 2015 4:23 PM

When I tried Design Spark PCB I wasn't impressed, though I'm told it has got better in the intervening year or so.

An example: most PCB design packages put down multi opamps/logic chips as individual pieces with 1 gate/opamp per piece (e.g. U16A, U16B, U16C, U16D), but DS PCB placed a single glom of all four opamps in a rectangular lump with all the pins and I had to sort out the mess. When I complained I was told - well it's easy to design your own component/footprint/package to do it your way - but I don't wan't to do that sort of basic stuff.

That said I use Multisim/Ultiboard, and despair over Ultiboard's autorouting - it doesn't seem to understand that a straight line is the shortest route between two pins that have the same X or Y coordinates, and regularly fails to route when there is a blindingly obvious route (same layer, no obstructions etc.) that won't break any design rules.

Regards,
David Partridge

When I tried Design Spark PCB I wasn't impressed, though I'm told it has got better in the intervening year or so. An example: most PCB design packages put down multi opamps/logic chips as individual pieces with 1 gate/opamp per piece (e.g. U16A, U16B, U16C, U16D), but DS PCB placed a single glom of all four opamps in a rectangular lump with all the pins and I had to sort out the mess. When I complained I was told - well it's easy to design your own component/footprint/package to do it your way - but I don't wan't to do that sort of basic stuff. That said I use Multisim/Ultiboard, and despair over Ultiboard's autorouting - it doesn't seem to understand that a straight line is the shortest route between two pins that have the same X or Y coordinates, and regularly fails to route when there is a blindingly obvious route (same layer, no obstructions etc.) that won't break any design rules. Regards, David Partridge

NG

Neil Gruending

Mon, Jan 5, 2015 5:03 PM

I think DesignSpark works pretty well for the pricetag. The only way to know if you will know for sure is to try it for yourself. IMHO, there isn't one ideal free/low cost program, they all have their issues.

BTW, DesignSpark easily handles multiple gates per component.

Cheers,
Neil

From: volt-nuts volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com on behalf of David C. Partridge david.partridge@perdrix.co.uk
Sent: January 5, 2015 8:23 AM
To: 'Discussion of precise voltage measurement'
Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] Design Spark PCB Design Package

When I tried Design Spark PCB I wasn't impressed, though I'm told it has got better in the intervening year or so.

An example: most PCB design packages put down multi opamps/logic chips as individual pieces with 1 gate/opamp per piece (e.g. U16A, U16B, U16C, U16D), but DS PCB placed a single glom of all four opamps in a rectangular lump with all the pins and I had to sort out the mess. When I complained I was told - well it's easy to design your own component/footprint/package to do it your way - but I don't wan't to do that sort of basic stuff.

That said I use Multisim/Ultiboard, and despair over Ultiboard's autorouting - it doesn't seem to understand that a straight line is the shortest route between two pins that have the same X or Y coordinates, and regularly fails to route when there is a blindingly obvious route (same layer, no obstructions etc.) that won't break any design rules.

Regards,
David Partridge

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To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
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I think DesignSpark works pretty well for the pricetag. The only way to know if you will know for sure is to try it for yourself. IMHO, there isn't one ideal free/low cost program, they all have their issues. BTW, DesignSpark easily handles multiple gates per component. Cheers, Neil ________________________________________ From: volt-nuts <volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com> on behalf of David C. Partridge <david.partridge@perdrix.co.uk> Sent: January 5, 2015 8:23 AM To: 'Discussion of precise voltage measurement' Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] Design Spark PCB Design Package When I tried Design Spark PCB I wasn't impressed, though I'm told it has got better in the intervening year or so. An example: most PCB design packages put down multi opamps/logic chips as individual pieces with 1 gate/opamp per piece (e.g. U16A, U16B, U16C, U16D), but DS PCB placed a single glom of all four opamps in a rectangular lump with all the pins and I had to sort out the mess. When I complained I was told - well it's easy to design your own component/footprint/package to do it your way - but I don't wan't to do that sort of basic stuff. That said I use Multisim/Ultiboard, and despair over Ultiboard's autorouting - it doesn't seem to understand that a straight line is the shortest route between two pins that have the same X or Y coordinates, and regularly fails to route when there is a blindingly obvious route (same layer, no obstructions etc.) that won't break any design rules. Regards, David Partridge _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts and follow the instructions there.

LL

Ludger.Lenzen@gmx.de

Mon, Jan 5, 2015 6:20 PM

I had same experiance with DS, even it is free, it not quite professional to use.
I checked several free available PCB programs. I would recommend KiCAD, but the free version of EAGLE and the free German program "Target 3001" (actual v1.7) I can also recommend.

BR
Ludger Lenzen

Gesendet: Montag, 05. Januar 2015 um 17:23 Uhr
Von: "David C. Partridge" david.partridge@perdrix.co.uk
An: "'Discussion of precise voltage measurement'" volt-nuts@febo.com
Betreff: Re: [volt-nuts] Design Spark PCB Design Package
When I tried Design Spark PCB I wasn't impressed, though I'm told it has got better in the intervening year or so.

An example: most PCB design packages put down multi opamps/logic chips as individual pieces with 1 gate/opamp per piece (e.g. U16A, U16B, U16C, U16D), but DS PCB placed a single glom of all four opamps in a rectangular lump with all the pins and I had to sort out the mess. When I complained I was told - well it's easy to design your own component/footprint/package to do it your way - but I don't wan't to do that sort of basic stuff.

That said I use Multisim/Ultiboard, and despair over Ultiboard's autorouting - it doesn't seem to understand that a straight line is the shortest route between two pins that have the same X or Y coordinates, and regularly fails to route when there is a blindingly obvious route (same layer, no obstructions etc.) that won't break any design rules.

Regards,
David Partridge

volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts
and follow the instructions there.

I had same experiance with DS, even it is free, it not quite professional to use. I checked several free available PCB programs. I would recommend KiCAD, but the free version of EAGLE and the free German program "Target 3001" (actual v1.7) I can also recommend. BR Ludger Lenzen Gesendet: Montag, 05. Januar 2015 um 17:23 Uhr Von: "David C. Partridge" <david.partridge@perdrix.co.uk> An: "'Discussion of precise voltage measurement'" <volt-nuts@febo.com> Betreff: Re: [volt-nuts] Design Spark PCB Design Package When I tried Design Spark PCB I wasn't impressed, though I'm told it has got better in the intervening year or so. An example: most PCB design packages put down multi opamps/logic chips as individual pieces with 1 gate/opamp per piece (e.g. U16A, U16B, U16C, U16D), but DS PCB placed a single glom of all four opamps in a rectangular lump with all the pins and I had to sort out the mess. When I complained I was told - well it's easy to design your own component/footprint/package to do it your way - but I don't wan't to do that sort of basic stuff. That said I use Multisim/Ultiboard, and despair over Ultiboard's autorouting - it doesn't seem to understand that a straight line is the shortest route between two pins that have the same X or Y coordinates, and regularly fails to route when there is a blindingly obvious route (same layer, no obstructions etc.) that won't break any design rules. Regards, David Partridge _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts and follow the instructions there.

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Design Spark PCB Design Package