[comp.sys.amiga.applications] pcb cad program

rxtajp@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au (Andrew Pettifer) (04/22/91)

Can anyone recommend any CAD programs for the Amiga, that can be used
for designing printed circuit boards?

The only PCB cad programs that i have seen, have been for the I*M.
And i don't want to spend $1000+, on a new computer, just to run one program.

My main requirements are:
User definable object libraries.
& the ability to print directly to a HP laser printer at 1:1 scale and 300 dpi
this is so that i can load the printer with tracing paper, and then make a
negative and then pcb directly from the printout.
I have done this with an IBM program (PROTEL AUTOTRAX) and the results have
been excellent, much better than using a plotter (at least for 1 off's).
Any suggestions would be most welcome
.

billsey@nesbbx.UUCP (Bill Seymour) (04/30/91)

In article <1991Apr22.102239.18828@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au>, Andrew Pettifer writes:

: Can anyone recommend any CAD programs for the Amiga, that can be used
: for designing printed circuit boards?

	I use Pro-Board, from Prolific, Inc. for all my PCB layout. It's
a very functional package if you can work within the limitations of four
layers and 12 mil trace/space.

: The only PCB cad programs that i have seen, have been for the I*M.
: And i don't want to spend $1000+, on a new computer, just to run one program.

	It's also available from Creative Computers at the price of $289
for both the Pro-Board PCB layout package and Pro-Net, the schematic capture
package. A much better price than the $1000 most comparable PC packages have.

: My main requirements are:
: User definable object libraries.
	In there
: & the ability to print directly to a HP laser printer at 1:1 scale and 300 dpi
: this is so that i can load the printer with tracing paper, and then make a
: negative and then pcb directly from the printout.
	Only if your printer can do HPGL emulation. Pro-Board will output to
a preferences supported dot-matrix printer, but doesn't guaranty 1:1 on those
printouts.
: I have done this with an IBM program (PROTEL AUTOTRAX) and the results have
: been excellent, much better than using a plotter (at least for 1 off's).
: Any suggestions would be most welcome
	I have done simple single layer board directly off of pen plots onto
vellum, and they have worked well, but anything more complex than that I take
to Gerber and have a real prototype built. I can get prototype quantities of a
two layer board with plotting for somewhere in the $750 range, and have some
guaranty that they'll work as well as the production run would.
  -Bill Seymour     nesbbx!billsey@agora.uucp or nesbbx!billsey@agora.rain.com
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