PCB Layout is a PCB layout design software available for the users on the Mac platform to assist in designing of PCB layouts. Essentially, the software is a cross-platform and open source, and this makes it quite resourceful.
Our range of free-of-charge design tools and resources take your brightest ideas all the way through to final production.
Whether you're looking for a design alone tool, a range of technical information, a complete design ecosystem, our complete suite can be integrated seamlessly into your existing design workflow
Be free when creating your schematic – there is no limitation on your schematic size or number of your schematic sheets.
Feel free to use as many layers as you need on your next PCB design. There are no limits on the maximum number of nodes or pads and no restriction on the number of connections. The maximum size your PCB can be is 1m X 1m
You can create your own part models in the library editor or access our ready to use embedded libraries. You can also use our new online tools to obtain models of the parts you need.
Prepare unrestricted Gerber and ODB++ files to order PCBs from your favourite PCB manufacturer or let our PCB Quote service build it quickly for you
Prepare a Bill of Materials in the format you want and order the parts you need when you need them. You can quickly upload your BoM to the RS Components website using BOM-Quote service and let us find the parts for you.
Output different Spice netlist formats like LTspice, IsSpice, B2 Spice and TINA. The LTspice simulator is well integrated inside the DesignSpark PCB Schematic Capture environment.
Are you looking for free PCB design software tools to get your latest electronic project implemented? Look at a list of 12 free PCB software that allows you to build your printed circuit board faster but without several hours of practice. Nearly all of the software packages mentioned here are free, and some software packages require payment. The main aim of these PCB design programs is to automate electronic circuit design and printed circuit boards.
Caption: PCB Design Software Illustration
Contents
PCB Artist of Advanced Circuits is a powerful software resource for electronics engineers finding a solution that is intuitive and simple to use. Electronics engineers often prefer PCB Artist as it enables them to save money and time.
Caption: PCB
Free
It works with Windows only.
For intermediate and advanced users only.
'The software is quite good, except it does not output Gerber files. In the version I used, the PCB file format requires you to use advanced circuits for manufacturing. Despite its deceptively simple-looking toolbars, very great depth is in the right-click menus. It keeps the new user experience from being overwhelming.'—FreewareFiles.
http://www.4pcb.com/free-pcb-layout-software/
With its transparent, software-centric platform that leverages modular hardware and an expansive ecosystem, National Instruments accelerates technological performance. Electronics engineers explicitly choose the Utiliboard of National Instruments because it offers a quick PCB prototyping environment for multiple applications.
It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
For beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.
'It's a NI instrument product, and as usual, it's student-centric. Your expectation should not be like the professional tools out there in the market like Altium or Orcad. However, we find it easy to learn.'——G2
A tech company offering engineering tools for designing electronics based on PCs, Altium presents Designer 17. Many in the industry consider this PCB modeling program to be the gold standard for electronics engineers. Altium Designer 17 is valid, user-friendly, and satisfies the evolving demands of qualified engineers and technicians.
It works with Windows only.
For intermediate and advanced users only.
'Altium Designer has thousands of advanced features to design PCBs. I like the ability to make files of the PCB to send online PCB manufacturing services. Altium supports a 3D view, and we can see how to fit PCB on my CAD design. Altium has thousands of flexible design rules and auto-routing options.'——Capterra
SOLIDWORKS provides powerful design technology for an electronic circuit, with the on-demand bi-directional integration with SOLIDWORKS CAD. And their PCB solution incorporates CAD and PCB design for seamless collaboration.
Contact for price for different editions
It works with MAC only.
For advanced users only.
'Version control implemented, and it supports with previously designed PCBs using Altium designer. Footprints and the 3d models of the components can easily design. It supports the libraries used in the Altium designer. And also, it supports earlier PCBs that are designed using Altium designer.' ——G2
DipTrace is an electronics engineering PCB design software tool that includes an interactive design and great functionality. DipTrace offers smart manual routing and a form-based automatic router for PCB layout. Electronics engineers recommend DipTrace with direct circuit-to-board conversion, schematic updating, and back-annotation for its single setting.
It works with Windows, MAC, and Linux.
For beginners and intermediate users only.
'DipTrace is one of the few PCB CAD software which is very user friendly. One can just start working without an event need to learn it. The GUI is designed in such a way that it's straightforward to understand what I have to do for my need.' ——G2
PCBWeb is a free CAD program for electronic development and manufacturing. It has a multi-page design schematic shot, multilayer support for the printed circuit board layout, and a broad range of details.
By using this popular PCB program, multi-sheeted schemes can produce with a fast and easy to use wiring tool. Even you can direct multilayer boards with copper fill support and DRC checks. Additionally, you can find an integrated list of Arrow information with a specification manager.
Free
It works with Windows only.
For beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.
'The tool is easy to use. It lets you generate Gerbers, shares your project through Publish, and create custom parts. I think the integration of Digi-key parts in the tool is a big thing. Not all tools have this. Add to that the freedom of the users to choose from different board houses. On the contrary, there are still many areas that need improvement. But, seeing that the tool is still young, it's a nice start. I would love to see the tool to improve in the future. It has a lot of potentials.' ——PCBShopper
Caption: Close up computer screen view of PCB design layout routing process in specialized software
BSch3V is a prominent PCB design computer program for electronics engineers needing a free solution from Suigyodo Online. BSch3V is a schematic capture program for Windows Vista/7/8/10 and has simple operating features.
7.3 Cost
Free
It works with Windows only.
For beginners only.
'BSch3V is a schematic capture program for Windows Vista/7/8/10. The name 'BSch' is an abbreviation of 'Basic Schematic.' It has only essential functions to simplify operation.'——report
Electrical engineer Tim Edwards develops and manages XCircuit, electronic design automation (EDA) tool, and a schematic capture system for presentations. Electronics engineers render XCircuit part of their PCB application software toolbox while drawing worth publishing-quality schematic circuit diagrams and related figures and generating network circuit lists via schematic capture.
Free
It works with Windows and Linux only.
For beginners only.
'Circuit components are kept in and recovered from fully editable libraries. the circuit does not isolate artistic expression from circuit drawing; it maintains flexibility in style without compromising the power of schematic capture.'——wiki.TCL-lang
Gerbv is a free software Gerber file viewer, available on Sourceforge only for RS-274X. Electronics engineers may install several files with Gerbv on top of each other.
Free
It works with Linux and MAC only.
For beginners only.
'It solves so many issues. Now I can see how screwed my mask and paste layers are! The only thing missing is remembering where I left it, every time you open the viewer, you have to size it to fit your screen, no big.' ——SOURCEFORGE
KiCad is an open-source and cross-platform electronic design automation program that works with Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can build your design with the circuit editor without any limitations. There are no paid networks to access features, as well.
The authorized symbols repository and the built-in symbols editor enable you to work on your projects quickly. Using up to 32 layers of Copper, you will be able to build professional PCB layouts.
This free PCB layout program comes with a push and shoves router that can route differential pairs and change trace lengths dynamically.
Free
It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Only suitable for intermediate and advanced users.
'The easy to use interface and the comprehensive component library made it a very effective one. All the components can found online, so no need to create a customized.'——G2
DesignSpark PCB is a typical and straightforward to learn free PCB design tool for circuit capture and electronic design automation arrangement of printed circuit boards. This innovative approach relies on a powerful software engine for capturing circuits, circuit boards, and layouts.
It is indeed popular with numerous users, from students to professionals. It is also the most excellent 3D modeling program that can create 3D views for your design's real-time visualization.
This program offers plenty of video tutorials on different topics related to software design and other useful tips. You can upload the required information using its library to develop your project quickly.
Free
Works with Windows only
Only suitable for intermediate and advanced users.
'A very well designed and quite capable once you learn your way around the application. I managed to design a rather dense 4-layer PCB with 0.5 mm pitch QFNs and six mil trace/spacing without encountering any serious issues.'——PCBShopper
Caption: The concept of the technology of solid-state microelectronics
EAGLE is an Electronic Structural Automation (EDA) program that enables PCB developers to easily link schematic diagrams, configurations of components, circuit board routing, and extensive library material. It just comes with a subscription to the Fusion 360.
With this PCB board design program, you can use SPICE simulation methods to test ideas quickly and quickly check the circuit output. All changes are synchronized automatically between your layout and the models so that you can focus on the creative process.
It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Only suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced users.
'Autodesk eagle software best in design for multilayers single-sided and double-sided boards. All tools are simple and easy to know, and products are good for design. We can design a PCB board for simple and medium-size complex boards are fast. Best & faster for the schematic design and board design and component placement.'——G2
Considering our review, you should now be in a position to make a sensible decision. If you'd like a high-end PCB design solution, then, in this case, Fritzing is one of the best options. In situations where you are focusing on a large project but have a minimal budget, try ZenitPCB.
If you're a student or inexperienced in PCB design and you need an incredibly simple-to-use and very well-documented software, then EAGLE or EasyEDA will be of great assistance. If you are working for an organization but choose not to obtain a license, go to KiCAD.