Circuit board design software generallyincludes two major modules: schematic design and PCB design.

The current mainstream circuit board designsoftware are PROTEL, ORCAD, VIEWLOGIC, POWERPCB, CADENCE PSD, MENTORGRAPHICESExpedition PCB, Zuken CADSTART, WINBOARD/WINDRAFT/IVEX-SPICE, PCB Studio,TANGO, PCBWIZARD (PCB production software supporting LIVEWIRE) Package),ultiBOARD7 (PCB production software package supporting multiSIM2001) and so on.PROTEL software is the most widely used in our country, but the number of usersusing pads is also increasing.

There is nothing better than free, even PCBsoftware. It cannot be said that more expensive software is better than freesoftware. In this article, we will take a look at some of the popular PCB designplatforms from time to time. First clarify a standard, the software we choosebelow are all software that has been updated at least once in the past twoyears.

1. ZENTIPCB

ZENTIPCB is the ZENTIPCB platform fromMIRKO BRUNO SORTINI, which provides a series of free software to help usersdesign their own PCB. ZENTICAPTURE allows users to quickly and easily use asimple tool set to design schematics, which allows users to place components(component symbols) through orthogonal locking and pin snapping. Once theschematics (in the form of diagrams) are completed, they can be transplanted toZENTIPCB.

ZENTIPCB is a CAD-based program that allowsusers to import netlist files and visualize their charts. The layout editorprovides the function of importing components directly from the library usingthe cursor, and supports single-sided and double-sided panels according todifferent needs.

2. TINYCAD

TINYCAD comes from SOURCEFORGE usersBEISCHER, DON_LUCAS and MATTPYNE. Don't underestimate this software because of itsname. This software provides all the functions of PCB design and wiring design.This software contains 42 libraries with a total of 755 symbols, includingdigital logic gates, electromechanical components and even microcontrollers.And each component can be edited, and users can even add their own componentsymbols. TINYCAD supports multiple netlist formats (Eagle SCR, PADS-PCB, XML,etc.), and can also generate SPICE netlists.

3. COMETCAD

COMETCAD is another excellent example of afree software platform, which provides an electronic circuit schematic editorand a PCB layout editor. But this software only supports Windows platform.COMETCAD electronic circuit schematic editor supports multi-page schematic,symbol rotation, parts list and netlist schematic output. The PCB layout editorprovides almost all the functions mentioned above (component library,double-sided PCB, etc.), and also has the function of outputting CAM files. Atthe same time, it can also be used to design rectangular multi-PCB boards.

Circuit board design software generallyincludes two major modules: schematic design and PCB design.

The current mainstream circuit board designsoftware are PROTEL, ORCAD, VIEWLOGIC, POWERPCB, CADENCE PSD, MENTORGRAPHICESExpedition PCB, Zuken CADSTART, WINBOARD/WINDRAFT/IVEX-SPICE, PCB Studio,TANGO, PCBWIZARD (PCB production software supporting LIVEWIRE) Package),ultiBOARD7 (PCB production software package supporting multiSIM2001) and so on.PROTEL software is the most widely used in our country, but the number of usersusing pads is also increasing.

There is nothing better than free, even PCBsoftware. It cannot be said that more expensive software is better than freesoftware. In this article, we will take a look at some of the popular PCB designplatforms from time to time. First clarify a standard, the software we choosebelow are all software that has been updated at least once in the past twoyears.

1. ZENTIPCB

ZENTIPCB is the ZENTIPCB platform fromMIRKO BRUNO SORTINI, which provides a series of free software to help usersdesign their own PCB. ZENTICAPTURE allows users to quickly and easily use asimple tool set to design schematics, which allows users to place components(component symbols) through orthogonal locking and pin snapping. Once theschematics (in the form of diagrams) are completed, they can be transplanted toZENTIPCB.

ZENTIPCB is a CAD-based program that allowsusers to import netlist files and visualize their charts. The layout editorprovides the function of importing components directly from the library usingthe cursor, and supports single-sided and double-sided panels according todifferent needs.

2. TINYCAD

TINYCAD comes from SOURCEFORGE usersBEISCHER, DON_LUCAS and MATTPYNE. Don't underestimate this software because of itsname. This software provides all the functions of PCB design and wiring design.This software contains 42 libraries with a total of 755 symbols, includingdigital logic gates, electromechanical components and even microcontrollers.And each component can be edited, and users can even add their own componentsymbols. TINYCAD supports multiple netlist formats (Eagle SCR, PADS-PCB, XML,etc.), and can also generate SPICE netlists.

3. COMETCAD

COMETCAD is another excellent example of afree software platform, which provides an electronic circuit schematic editorand a PCB layout editor. But this software only supports Windows platform.COMETCAD electronic circuit schematic editor supports multi-page schematic,symbol rotation, parts list and netlist schematic output. The PCB layout editorprovides almost all the functions mentioned above (component library,double-sided PCB, etc.), and also has the function of outputting CAM files. Atthe same time, it can also be used to design rectangular multi-PCB boards.