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PCB Layout & Gerber Viewers

PCB Layout

Osmond PCB - Osmond is now FREE

PCB Layout. There is a design size limited free version, and a unlimited commercial version. Latest development includes a Cocoa version with updated UI. Scriptable. Macintosh OS X only.

http://www.osmondpcb.com/

My DesignWorks page has a Netlist generator here.

McCAD GView

Gerber viewer. The free version only allows two layers at a time. File size restrictions. Macintosh OS X and Windows.

http://www.mccad.com/FREE_GerberViewer.html

LayoutEditor

PCB, Thin Film, & IC Layout. Offers three license levels. Uses Calma’s GDSII file format but is compatible with five others including Gerber file format. Will work as a Gerber viewer for Osmond.


Open source version:

http://www.layouteditor.net/

Professional version:

http://www.juspertor.com/

Epoxy

PCB layout. French and English localization, but only French documentation. Development stopped in 2010 but source is available.  Macintosh OS X only.

http://jumpifnotzero.free.fr/logitheque/epoxy_uk.html

CircuitPeople’s “Got Gerbers”

An online service for viewing PCB gerber files. Web based.

http://www.circuitpeople.com/

Gerbv

An outstanding Gerber file/drill file viewer. Supports current and deprecated Gerber commands. Includes measurement tool.  A Gerber File viewer that can be built with FINK, MacPorts, or Homebrew. If you haven’t built open source applications on OS X before, go here for a tutorial. Includes measure tools. Full GUI under X11 (Mountain Lion/Mavericks users need XQuartz). Does not understand standard Mac trackpad gestures. Macintosh OS X, UNIX, and Linux.

http://gerbv.geda-project.org/

Installing from Homebrew, first install Homebrew:

https://brew.sh/

Then    brew install gerbv

Sockulator

Some web based tools for making Osmond components with pads in a circle.

http://nixietube.info/Sockulator.html

This one works with both Osmond and Eagle:

http://www.desmith.net/NMdS/Electronics/soculator.html

pcb - Printed Circuit Board Layout Tool

PCB layout. Open source. Macintosh OS X, UNIX, and Windows.

http://pcb.geda-project.org/

Good tutorials are here:

http://blog.csdn.net/lamboy/article/details/7248102

http://www.delorie.com/pcb/docs/gs/gs.html

If you are new to building your own tools, here are some tips on using Terminal, Shells, and paths.

Gerber File Viewers & Editors

Cenon

2D CAD software. Gerber import feature works with version 3.9.3 and later. Gerber files need the extension “.gerber”. Free, source available. Macintosh OS X, Linux, and UNIX.

http://www.cenon.info/frame_gb.html

Printed Circuit University web site

Online training resource for professionals involved in the engineering and design of printed circuit boards and related technologies.

http://www.printedcircuituniversity.com

PCB Layout & Gerber Viewers

DIY Layout Creator

Schematic capture and proto board layout tool. Java for Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Windows.

http://diy-fever.com/software/diylc/

Source code project:

http://code.google.com/p/diy-layout-creator/

LayoutEditor

PCB, Thin Film, & IC Layout. Offers three license levels. Uses Calma’s GDSII file format but is compatible with five others including Gerbers. Will work as a Gerber viewer for Osmond.


Open source version:

http://www.layouteditor.net/

Professional version:

http://www.juspertor.com/

DipTrace

Free. Schematic, PCB layout, 2 layer limit. Package modules allow you to exchange schematics, layouts and libraries with other EDA and CAD packages (DXF, Eagle, P-CAD, PADS, OrCAD). DipTrace allows you to export edge polylines to DXF. The DXF files can be converted to G-code for milling machine generated PCBs. Macintosh OS X, Windows. Catalina is not supported.

http://www.diptrace.com/

Saturn PCB Design Toolkit

This impedance/thermal PCB calculator is a Windows application that runs well under Crossover. Macintosh OS X under Crossover, and Windows.

http://saturnpcb.com/pcb_toolkit.htm

Visit my other pages:

PCB Prototype Software & Hardware

PCB Milling

A nice ‘how to’ site for PCB Makers:

http://reprap.org/wiki/PCB_Milling#Installation_on_Mac.C2.A0OS.C2.A0X

Download PCB-Gcode source and documentation here (after you have logged in):

http://pcbgcode.org/file.php/download/12/93/pcb-gcode-3.5.2.11.zip

Download cynbes-gcoder source and documentation here:

http://muq.org/~cynbe/gcoder/cynbes-gcoder-2008-12-21-04.49.09.tbz

Electronic Design ToolsElectronics.html
Rocketry ApplicationsRocketry.html
Schematic CaptureSchematicCaptureLinks.html
Embedded software development linksMacEmbeddedLinks.html
SchematicsSchematics.html
email me.mailto:robertrau12@yahoo.com?subject=PCB%20Links

CircuitCalculator.com

Calculators for trace widths, wire parameters, RMS and so on.

http://circuitcalculator.com/

If you have any comments or know of links I should add, please feel free to email me.

Visolate

Generate efficient gcode to mill PCBs using voronoi-regions. Free, source available. Java for Macintosh OSX, Linux, UNIX, and Windows.

http://visolate.sourceforge.net/

Download from:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/visolate/

Eagle

Schematic, Layout, and autorouter. Old click on ‘command’ and then do command type of interface. Must manually add junction dots to connect net spurs. Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Windows.  See the 3D board viewer below under Web Based Tools, further down this page.

https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/overview

PCB Etching plugin:

http://pcbgcode.org/

Web based tool for making components with pads in a circle:

http://www.desmith.net/NMdS/Electronics/soculator.html

Symbols are available from SupplyFrame:

https://componentsearchengine.com/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=asp&utm_campaign=discovery

Web Based Tools

MCN Gerber Viewer for MAC OS X

MAC OS X native Gerber File viewer. Reads both drill and plot files. Version 0.1_143 has issues with %LPC*% and %LPD*% commands like Osmond uses. Free. Macintosh OS X only.

http://www.mcn-audio.com/sharewares/index.html

McCAD GView (Professional version)

Gerber viewer. Supports both 274-D and 274-X. Up to 32 layers. Macintosh OS X and Windows.

http://www.mccad.com/STfeat.html

3D Gerber Viewer

Free. A Gerber File viewer in 3-D. Web based.

http://mayhewlabs.com/3dpcb

Kicad

Kicad is an open source (GPL) software for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and printed circuit board artwork. Includes Gerber file viewer. The Gerber file viewer has problems with copper floods but shows promise. Macintosh OS X, UNIX, Linux, and Windows.

http://www.kicad-pcb.org/display/KICAD/KiCad+EDA+Software+Suite

Macintosh OS X binaries:

http://www.mdx4.org/index.php?/categories/5-Kicad

Kicad

Kicad is an open source (GPL) software for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams and printed circuit board artwork. Includes Gerber file viewer. Macintosh OS X, UNIX, Linux, and Windows.

http://www.kicad-pcb.org/display/KICAD/KiCad+EDA+Software+Suite

Macintosh OS X binaries:

http://www.mdx4.org/index.php?/categories/5-Kicad

Symbols are available from SupplyFrame:

https://componentsearchengine.com/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=asp&utm_campaign=discovery

Device Placer for circular placement
A program I wrote for concentric rings of components. With tangential rotation option. Macintosh OS X only. See my software page here.Electronics.htmlshapeimage_10_link_0
Xilinx BGA builder
FPGATool, a program I wrote for Xilinx FPGAs. Not updated since 2005. Macintosh OS X only. See my software page here.Electronics.htmlshapeimage_11_link_0
Keypad button/capacitive slider pattern builder
SliderWriter, builds interlaced patterns from parameters. Macintosh OS X only. See my software page here.Electronics.htmlshapeimage_12_link_0

PCB Array Calculator

A calculator to find out how many boards/arrays you can yield from a panel.

http://bayareacircuits.com/pcb-array-calculator/

Panel Efficiency Calculator

A calculator to find out how many boards/arrays you can yield from a panel. Includes detailed explanation and efficiency.

http://circuitpeople.com/Blog/PanelsInPcbManufacturing.aspx

KwickFit

A subscription service with a lot of panelization capability.

http://www.micromeg.com/Home/Features

PCB Design Javascript Cost Calculator

A quick calculator for the most popular PCB manufacturers for prototype PCBs.

http://www.ladyada.net/library/pcb/costcalc.html

I have an Osmond page with libraries and scripts that I have made. 
MyPageOsmond1.htmlshapeimage_13_link_0

McCAD

Schematic capture, Simulation (analog & digital), Printed Circuit Board layout, Autorouting. Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Windows.

http://www.mccad.com/

McCAD is supported by PCB Libraries.

A good source of information for the Gerber File Format

http://www.ucamco.com/downloads.aspx

Online Gerber-Viewer

An online service for viewing PCB gerber files. Web based.

http://www.gerber-viewer.com/

Other Tools

The Surface Evolver

Modeling of liquid surfaces shaped by various forces and constraints. Macintosh OS X, UNIX, and Windows.

http://www.susqu.edu/brakke/evolver/evolver.html

Cenon

2D CAD software. Gerber import feature works with version 3.9.3 and later. Gerber files need the extension “.gerber”. Free, source available. Macintosh OS X, Linux, and UNIX.

http://www.cenon.info/frame_gb.html

Razen

A schematic and layout package. Uses Python for automation. Built-in source control through Mercurial. Macintosh OSX, Linux, and Windows.

http://razencad.com/

gerber file viewer (beta)

Display gerber pcb (RS 273X format) files and drill files. Layers must have file suffix .grb and drill file must have suffix .drl. Java for Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Windows.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/gerberfileviewe/

Cuprum

A Gerber File viewer and Quick Look plug-in. The viewer is a basic viewer with measurement capability, but the quick look feature is unique. You can rapidly scan through a folder of several Gerber files like you normally can Quick Look text files. Supports both current and deprecated Gerber constructs. Works well with Osmond PCB output. Properly understands mac trackpad gestures. Current version only works on OS X 10.10.x and later. App Store. Macintosh OS X only.

http://www.wortum.com/cuprum/

PCB Trace Impedance Calculator

Calculates the characteristic impedance and per-unit-length parameters of typical printed circuit board trace geometries.

http://emclab.mst.edu/pcbtlc2/

PCB Impedance and Capacitance Calculator

Calculates the characteristic impedance and capacitance of typical printed circuit board trace geometries.

https://technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=util_pcb_imp_calculator

Copper

Copper is able to open Eagle CAD files saved in the XML file format (Version 6 and above). Copper stores its own settings in another file stored along the .brd and .sch files generated by Eagle and syncs any changes made in Eagle. Features include generate 3D Models of your PCBs, attach real parts from your favorite Distributor using Built-In Part Search Engine powered by Octopart, manage your Bill of Materials and check pricing & availability of parts, and more. Macintosh OS X and iOS.

https://www.copper-app.com/

PCBShopper

Compare prices from 25 PCB manufacturers at once.

http://pcbshopper.com/

FR4, Aluminum, or Flex. 1-16 Layers. 4 mil traces & 8 mil holes, or up to 3 oz. copper. Asia

https://www.seeedstudio.com/fusion_pcb.html


FR4. 2-6 Layer. 6 mil traces & 12 mil holes, or up to 2 oz. copper. Asia

http://www.smart-prototyping.com/Prototyping-Services/Electronic-Prototyping/PCB-Prototyping.html


FR4. 2-4 Layer. 6 mil traces, or up to 2 oz. copper. Asia

https://www.itead.cc/open-pcb/pcb-prototyping.html


FR4. 2-4 Layer. 6 mil traces & 11.8 mil holes, or up to 2 oz. copper. Asia, Free shipping.

http://www.geeetech.com/oed-m-service-c-97.html


FR4 & Flex. 2-4 Layer. 6 mil traces & 12 mil holes, or up to 2 oz. copper. Asia

http://www.elecrow.com/services-c-73.html


FR4  2-28 Layer. 3 mil traces & 8 mil holes, or up to 2 oz. copper. Asia

https://www.elecrow.com/premium-pcb-service-p-1061.html


FR4 & Aluminum. 1-10 Layer. 4 mil traces & 7.9 mil holes, or up to 3 oz. copper. Asia

http://www.pcbgogo.com/pcb_prototype/


FR4. 1-6 Layers. 5 mil traces & 5 mil holes, or up to 2 oz. copper. Canada

http://www.apcircuits.com/


FR4. 2 Layers. 6 mil traces & 15 mil holes, or up to 1 oz. copper. Asia

http://www.basicpcb.com/


FR4. 2-4 Layers. 6 mil traces & 12 mil holes, or up to 1 oz. copper. Asia

https://www.makerfabs.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=93_106&product_id=138


FR4. 2-6 Layers. 6 mil traces & 12 mil holes, or up to 1 oz. copper. Starts at $2. Asia

https://jlcpcb.com/quote


FR4. 2 Layers. 10 mil traces. Solder mask and silkscreen optional.

https://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml

PCB Fabricators for small quantities

pcb2gcode

pcb2gcode is a command-line software for the isolation, routing and drilling of PCBs. It takes Gerber files as input and it outputs gcode files, suitable for the milling of PCBs. It also includes an Autoleveller, useful for the automatic dynamic calibration of the milling depth. Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Windows.

https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcode

PCB Panelizing software

gerbmerge

Combins the CAM data from multiple printed circuit board designs into a single set of CAM files. GerbMerge currently supports Eagle, Orcad, and the free PCB. Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Windows. Latest fork here:

https://github.com/unwireddevices/gerbmerge

Documentation (old):

http://www.gedasymbols.org/user/stefan_tauner/tools/gerbmerge/doc/

PanelMerge

A top level interface for gerbmerge. Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Windows.

https://github.com/tlalexander/PanelMerge

Gerber Viewer

Free. By Ucamco, the creator of the Gerber File format. Web based.

https://gerber.ucamco.com/index.html

3-D Gerber viewer

Free. A Gerber File viewer in 3-D. Web based.

https://www.swie.io/pcb-assembly/3DGerber/3Dgerber.html

pcb-rnd

Free. PCB layout with many plug-ins. Also works from the command line for automated workflows. Exports 3D data to Openscad. Macintosh OS X, UNIX, Linux, and Windows.

http://repo.hu/projects/pcb-rnd/

Macintosh OS X install:

http://repo.hu/projects/pcb-rnd/mac.txt

Sierra Circuits PCB Calculators

https://www.protoexpress.com/tools