Re: PCB design software assistance

<andrewkgentile@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1133536213.358904.211290@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hello,
> I am new to this group, and I'm not certain that this question is
> relevant. But I am looking for a software to design printed circuit
> boards. I only make about 12 a year, so I don't want anything fancy.
> It doesn't have to be free, but I don't want to spend more than $250
> either.
> What I need specifically is a software which will allow me to print
out
>
> the negative of the artwork, so that I can fabricate a prototype board
> myself. I realize that it is cheaper to sent the board out, but I
> teach a class
> in PCB construction, and students don't learn anything by sending the
> boards out. Also, I need a software which will give me all the
> required
> gerber files so that I can have the board sent out for manufacture,
> when I have multiple copies to make. Most of my boards will be two
> sided.
>

Andrew,

Have you tried downloading the demo version of Viewmate from
www.pentalogix.com? While I haven't tried the latest version (9.2), my
older version (8.4) allows me to load Gerber files and print them to any
Windows printer. You can set the scaling and make it print either
positive or negative images. While I haven't actually used the printed
images to make a PCB, I have checked the dimensions of the printed
images at 1:1 scaling for use in checking pad layouts and it appears to
be dead on.

Using a tool like Viewmate would allow you to just generate Gerbers with
any of the PCB CAD tools you might use. I use and can recommend Eagle
(www.cadsoftusa.com) even though it has some quirks and a bit of a
learning curve.

Good luck.

--
James T. White


.

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