PCB software makes the design process much easier to use. last couple of weeks have been on a level that I'm still struggling with.PCB design software is a specific kind of program used to design new printed circuit boards. I would be grateful for any recommendations. Want it to be able to run on Windows 7 (I like linux and use it every day, but my skill is limited primarily to the lampp stack).

Want to be able to generate gerber files.

Want to be able to design pcbs and link the netlist so I can hover over a via in a PCB design and see all other vias it's connected to.

Want to be able to design schematics, and custom components if not able to find a library of components.

Don't want a steep learning curve or complex config/customization requirement to get it installed & working.

Don't want an exhorbitant inititial cost (although I'm willing to pay quite a bit for a one-time lifetime charge).

other sub-circuits, etc.īut to be honest, because of the vendor lack of support at this stage, I'm ready to graduate to something more 'professional', but I The software has been relatively easy to use, and allows several layers in a PCB, and multiple sheets for schematic designs (so I can break up power. However, their latest version no longer supports netlist linking, which I consider a requirement for checking that a PCB matches the schematic.

I have been using ExpressSCH/PCB for some years to do schematic and PCB design.

I rely on the collective wisdom of those here, to help, instead. I know there are a lot of choices, but I don't have the personal resource right now to simply start trying them all. I did a search on forums, but found most of the threads were older than might be considered useful.

Kicad vs diptrace