Program Lineup
Most CAD programs have weaknesses! The reviews on this page might save you
some false starts when choosing a CAD program! Think carefully before choosing
a program with "unusable" aspects: it has crippling problems.
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FreePCB - PCB
The Good
- Usual Windows operation: dragging a rectangle selects multiple objects, and control-click toggles selection of an item to-from the group of selected items.
- Footprint libraries are properly handled. You can select any library file and browse the contained footprints and place a part using any footprint.
The Bad
- Usual Windows “click and drag” paradigm not supported, instead, a click selects the parts, then a right-click brings up a menu with a “move” option.
The Unusable
- Single level Undo means you can destroy your work with a couple of edits.
- If you alter your schematic, typically your schematic editor allocates new netlist names. When you re-import your schematic, FreePCB does not intelligently reassign net names to traces and pins, so your existing net routing is invalid. But normal development requires numerous schematic changes!
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KiCad - Schematic-PCB
The Good
- If you ignore the cvpcb footprint utility, you can store text footprint names in your schematic symbols and achieve simple schematic symbol and PCB library operation.
The Bad
- The interface is weak, with many miniscule tool buttons and non-standard operation.
- Awkward operation on Windows - e.g. columns don't resize, popup dialogs get lost or stay on top of entire desktop.
- Sparse documentation, idiosyncratic operation and obscure underlying assumptions
make a formidable learning curve.
The Unusable
- A Kicad schematic document is not self contained and must have access to
all referenced symbol libraries whenever you view it! As a result, schematics
are risky to share and archive, and you can lose schematics
unless you are careful to keep the "cache" library file and schematic file
together.
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Bsch3V - Schematic
The Good
- Beautifully rendered symbols.
- Good library system.
The Bad
- Each page of a multi-page schematic is stored as a separate schematic file.
The Unusable
- All sections of a multi-part symbol must be identical : you cannot assign the power pins to just one part.
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TinyCAD - Schematic
The Good
- Good looking schematic diagrams print well.
- You can paste schematic portions into Word for documentation.
- Nicely joins wire portions into one large wire.
- Multi-sheet with tabbed interface.
- Excellent interface.
- The usablility of a Windows program without the awkwardness of cross platform programs.
- Run under Wine for the best free editor on any operating system.
The Bad
- To avoid missed connections, you need to keep pins on-grid in both the symbol editor and schematic editor.
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DesignSparkPCB - Schematic-PCB
The Good
- Free commercial-standard all-in-one product.
- Integrated schematic with PCB.
- Editors are reasonable to use.
- Windows standard click and drag, control-click to add to the selection.
The Bad
- Does not play nicely with other schematic or PCB programs: exports a netlist to an uncommon format, import options are limited.
- Schematic component dragging adds unwanted wire bends.
- Three-library system of symbols, footprints and components is overkill.
- May not be a safe long-term bet. If RS turns off the licensing server, you lose all your accumulated projects.
- Based on Easy-PC, but file format is non-compatible.
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Easy-PC - Schematic-PCB
The Good
- Editors are reasonable to use.
- Windows standard click and drag, control-click to add to the selection.
The Bad
- Does not play nicely with other schematic or PCB programs: exports a netlist to an uncommon format, import options are limited.
- Schematic component dragging adds unwanted wire bends.
- Three-library system of symbols, footprints and components is overkill.
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Eagle - Schematic-PCB
The Good
The Bad
- Each schematic library symbol contains its own PCB footprint drawing, leading to multiple versions of a footprint and library management difficulties.
- Bastard user interface.
- The free version is limited to single sheet schematics, small boards and non-commercial work.
Free Program Recommendations
Of all the programs listed above, TinyCAD is easily your best choice of schematic
editor. However, there is no worthy PCB editor to choose as a companion, since
FreePCB is fatally flawed.
Another option is DesignSpark PCB, which is a decently made integrated
schematic-PCB package. However, you are locked into a proprietary program with
weak import-export facilities. A reasonable choice if you just want to get a
project finished.
Finally, Kicad will get the job done, in a brutal manner.