Ferramentas gratuitas de design de PCB para tornar seus projetos eletrônicos interessantes

Free PCB Design Tools to Make Your Electronic Projects Cool

June 19, 2024 Roberto Magalhães

Free PCB Design Tools to Make Your Electronic Projects Cool

Working on electronic projects can be a time-consuming and complicated procedure, especially for beginners. However, the availability of so many apps and software acts as a guide and saves a lot of time spent searching for information from various sources. After discussing applications, circuit design software and simulators, here we will talk about online tools that help in processing PCBs.

In the following list, we have mentioned free PCB design tools that should be used by all types of users, from beginners to professionals and experts. Let's take a look at them one by one.

1. NI Ultiboard (FREE DOWNLOAD)

NI Ultiboard is a National Instruments product that is part of a suite of circuit design programs and is used in conjunction with NI Multisim. It offers an easy design environment where users can utilize an interface that allows them to perform efficient layout and routing of PCB designs. The tools included in the program are spreadsheet view, toolbox, and design wizards.

Some of the key features of NI Ultiboard are listed below:

• Availability of advanced Autoplace and Autoroute tools, fast and efficient.

• Find and position components with the help of Pick-and-Place along with Component Sequencer functionality.

• Transfer of schematics to layouts due to seamless Multisim integration.

• Export projects to industry standard file formats such as Gerber and DXF.

• Integrated spreadsheet view to manage design constraints, copper routing and part placement

2. Pulsonix

Pulsonix is a Windows-based application that offers features such as schematic capture and PCB layout design. It has three versions, the first being available with 1000 pins while the third can be used for unlimited component pins. It is primarily intended to be used by business professionals for affordable and advanced PCB design capability.

Pulsonix offers the following set of features:

• Schematic Capture: Concise schematic drawings with multi-instance hierarchy and electrical rule checking capabilities.

• Spice Simulation: Pulsonix Spice is a mixed-mode simulation package that offers a collective selection of analysis functions that can be applied to plot waveform data.

• PCB Design: With Pulsonix, users can use a sophisticated and fully integrated PCB design that brings smart features like report builder, e-cad to m-cad support, etc.

• High Speed Design: Due to this feature, engineers can conceive and define designs during the initial logic capture phase.

• Database Connection: With the help of database connection, users get instant access to corporate information systems that help in quick identification and selection of components.

• PLM interface: Pulsonix can be integrated into corporate infrastructure, offering access to project documents and data

Price:

The trial version can be downloaded for free, while detailed versions can be purchased from the nearest local stores.

3. Design Spark (FREE DOWNLOAD)

It is a free EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tool for schematic capture and PCB layout. To use this service, users are required to register on the website which in turn unlocks the disabled functions and programs. It is considered the world's most affordable EDA platform for rapid prototyping and transforming your circuit ideas into testable boards.

The following features can be leveraged through the Design Spark PCB tool:

• Seamless integration into design workflows.

• No limitation on the number of schematic sheets.

• Freedom to create libraries and access to built-in libraries.

• There is no limit to the number of nodes, layers or connections.

• Users can prepare and upload bill of materials to order required parts.

• Users can order PCBs from their preferred manufacturers by preparing unrestricted Gerber and ODB++ files.

• An additional tool in the form of electronic parts wizard that allows users to create the models of the part that cannot be found

4. PCB Web (FREE DOWNLOAD)

PCB Web is a free CAD application for Windows users that aims to provide a platform for designing and manufacturing electronic hardware. It has the following modules.

• Schematic capture: It has a clean and organized layout with enough area for editing. The sidebar gives access to component selection while a toolbar is present to use editing tools and schematic symbols.

• PCB Layout: The layout editor is simple to use and allows the user to focus on individual layers. Furthermore, on the side there is a property sheet with which you can adjust the colors of different elements.

• Digi-Key Parts Library: Upon completion of the project, the bill of materials is self-generated and can be requested from Digi-Key. Additionally, parts can be imported directly from the Digi-Key library.

• Component Editor: The application has two editors for symbols and footprints that can be operated separately.

5. Upverter (free registration)

It is a web browser-based EDA system that facilitates the design, sharing and review of schematics and PCBs. It can be properly used for open source projects without any payment for editing schematics and designing layouts for PCBs. It also brings additional features such as Gerber file generation, bill of materials and 3D rendering of projects.

This tool offers a wide range of features out of which the following list mentions the key points:

• Inspection of multiple objects to apply property edits

• Assisted Network and Bus Routing

• Search and positioning of components and modules

• Integrated flag symbols

• Configurable design rule parameters

• Exchange of components and modules

• Built-in design viewer

• Live multi-user collaboration

• Non-active translucent layers

• Flexible screen printing sizing and alignment

6. Mentor's Graphic Expedition

Mentor Graphics is a multinational that offers the Xpedition package, an innovative PCB design flow, and aims to integrate system design into manufacturing. A wide variety of tasks can be performed with the help of this package, which includes collaborative placement and routing of complex PCBs, making use of a fully integrated, automated workflow, single solution for library management, etc.

The Xpedition layout tools render the following features:

• Simultaneous team layout with multiple designers

• 3D layout and MCAD collaboration

• Rigid and flexible 3D design and validation

• Automated positioning planning and management

• Embedded RF/analog/digital/passive/active co-design

• Advanced integrated planning, location and route editing environment

7. Designer Altium

Altium Designer is a combination of scientific knowledge with a natural design intuition that aims to harmonize engineering potential to create highly advanced and innovative PCB design applications. It offers the following advantages to its users –:

• With interactive routing modes and an intelligent auto-routing wizard, users can take full control of their PCB layout.

• You can easily save, share and reuse design assets from previous projects with the help of snippets, schematic sheets and component library templates.

• Flexible output documentation tools allow the user to instantly capture and communicate design intent to manufacturing in seconds.

• The availability of over 300,000 ready-to-use components allows users to leverage the efficiency of the component creation process.

• Users can leverage a flexible lifecycle management system to decide which design data can be used in projects, thereby tracking each design change.

• Native 3D editing to allow users to visualize their electronic designs in the mechanical world and correct collision errors in seconds.

• With the help of Supplier Links it is possible to have real-time access to prices, parts availability and updates on the most used components.

Pricing

The trial version is available for free after filling out a form that gives access to a full evaluation license for 15 days. On the other hand, other versions can be made available by contacting local Altium offices or by filling out a form that contains all the user's information about their work and interests in the product.

8. PCB Express (Free Download)

Express PCB is a free PCB layout software where users can design and develop their electronic schematics and printed circuit boards. Its aim is to deal with low-cost projects with regard to software and manufacturing issues. Here, users not only design their circuits, but can also order them later. Express PCB's customer base includes individual engineers as well as companies and entrepreneurs.

To use the PCB layout one can follow the steps below:

• Select components in the Component Manager dialog box, where Digi-key part numbers are included for easy ordering.

• Drag components to the desired location and use the Snap to grid feature to align them.

• Add the traces and link the schematic file to the PCB; this will help you connect the pins.

• Edit the layout using copy, paste and rearrange the pieces. You can also set item properties in the layout.

• After project completion, order plates online via Internet command.

They are free PCB design tools that offer a wide range of services of interest to engineering students, hobbyists and professionals, to ensure efficient design and development of electronic projects. If you want to add more tools to the list, let us know in the comments section below.