??? 04/17/06 14:35 Read: times |
#114387 - Protel for DOS Responding to: ???'s previous message |
I try to use the very old DOS-based OrCAD package as much as possible. It does what I want...It takes typically 5% as long to draw a schematic in that package as it takes in ANY Windows-based package I've encountered...Most of the Windows-based schematic packages produce rather unprofessional-looking output...
I agree with Richard - the bloated Windows packages like Eagle are a pain to learn and use compared to some of the 'outdated' DOS programs. I bought Protel Autotrax 1.61 and Schematic 3.31 for $400 ten or fifteen years ago, and they still serve me well, even on fine pitch multi-layer boards. (Autotrax 1.61 is now available free online.) My coworker uses Eagle. His schematics look like a two year old drew them, and his boards are far from works of art. The Protel programs have bugs, but I've found work-arounds for all of them. I don't use the autorouter, so can't comment on it. It doesn't produce a component coordinate file, but the board stuffing house we use has never complained. |