Which PCB Program Is BEST?

[Thomas Ligotti]

I'm searching for a Comparison List of PCB Programs.
I have used Board Station for years now and looking for something else, something better. There are many choices like Protel, Cadence, Pads, Expedition, etc. There are HUGE differences in pricing though. Protel offers a suite that seems GREAT. What are the downfalls? Cadence offers Allegro and OrCAD. Big difference in price. Mentor the same Expedition or PADS. Assuming I do state of the art boards would Protel DXP be a good solution. Someone please HELP. I need someone who has used these tools, not just heard one was better than the other.

[Jackie Oh!]

Hi Thomas,

PCD magazine used to have a comparison chart on their website...don't know if it's still there, but you might check. www.pcdmag.com.

I've use Allegro, PADS PowerPCB and am now using Orcad Layout. IMHO, PowerPCB gives you the best bang for your buck. I've designed pretty high end stuff with it and using Specctra autorouter. I'm not sure how it works with Specctra anymore, but I've heard that the Blazerouter it comes with is pretty good too.


Good luck,

Jackie Oh!

[Mark Larson]

Originally posted by Thomas Ligotti
I'm searching for a Comparison List of PCB Programs.
I have used Board Station for years now and looking for something else, something better. There are many choices like Protel, Cadence, Pads, Expedition, etc. There are HUGE differences in pricing though. Protel offers a suite that seems GREAT. What are the downfalls? Cadence offers Allegro and OrCAD. Big difference in price. Mentor the same Expedition or PADS. Assuming I do state of the art boards would Protel DXP be a good solution. Someone please HELP. I need someone who has used these tools, not just heard one was better than the other.

Do you like Windows programs or 80's style DOS programs? If the latter, you might like Protel DXP. Protel DXP is big on features, but short on useability. There is no tool withing DXP to route differential pairs like there is in PowerPCB-Blaze. There are some neat things about DXP, but as a PCB Designer I place a premium on useability and productivity, the idea is to accomplish the greatest amount of work in the least amount of time. That is not DXP in my opinion. Check out the Protel forums, there is an independant one and Altium sponsered, lotta griping about DXP there. Many have stuck to 99 instead of moving to DXP, kind of reminds me of PADS users sticking to Perform instead of moving to PowerPCB. And that is where Protel is at, they are about 5-6 years behind PADS at moving to a Windows environment.

[Skip Yutkus]

Most of the software that is available for windows offer demo versions for evaluation, try them, since you were a Board Station user you will either be totally mystified or astounded with the ease and way they work. the Board Station concept is totally different than all the other packages.

Skip