Hey Steve!
OK, so I downloaded it and it's a piece of junk. The way they have it set up is horrible. They don't have a add wire button, or a move component cursor. They have some crummy auto thing, so when you move you mouse over the components pin it switches to a add wire thing. And to move the component you have to put you mouse in the center of it. Here's a screen shot of a schematic I drew up with a lot of frustration:
View attachment 16707
The whole program is really slow too, especially the PCB design part of it. Also, it has to have the internet to work, and you have to have a account with the people who made it to use the stupid program.
On the positive side of it: the library has quite a few of digikeys parts, and it is easy to switch between the PCB layout part and the schematic layout part. That's about all I can say on the positive side.
I was going to make a PCB with it to show you guys, but the way it worked was so slow and annoying I decided it wasn't worth it.
So would I recommend it to anyone? 100% no way. Diptrace continues to be the best EDA package I have
ever used.
Dan
I totally disagree with you.
First; I have an older computer and the PCBWeb speed is instantaneous. What low speed are you talking about?
The only slower process is viewing the PCB in 3D real world, and since this is something really powerful and new(you won't see it in other paid software) it relies solely on your processor power. So, go figure.
Why in the world are you crying for the ADD WIRE button? Who would blame the software for not having to click all the time on BUTTONS?
I myself consider it sweet, an upgrade from the old-school-never-change CADs, where you have to either use key shortcuts or hunt for button on the tool bar. PCBWeb saves a lot of time not having to do that and the software is smart enough to recognize any electronic part and the need for a wire, being at the pins or in the middle of another wire. Is just awesome.
What is wrong with picking-up a part once you hover the mouse over? It is another time and click saving update that I hate on Altium. Why would one like to go click on "Part Pick" button and come back to pick it, or hover over and just pick it?
The parts in BOM are either from Digikey or you can use the default own Library. You do not have to go export or buy new modules, or created stupid table to be able to have a BOM. You just click on the BOM tab, and is right there.
Beside, is really easy to create new parts with footprints by opening existing parts, modify them to what you like and save them for future use.
Schematics, PCB design, BOM all in one FREE software? Amazing.
I have Altium(hate it) Orcad, tested MultiSIM form Mouser, EasyEDA, none come close to the power of PCBWeb, besides being really expensive, limited version(MultiSIM) or keeping you tight to their own PCB supplier.
I finished a dual-channel preamp in it, with two separate PCB, and I'm in the middle of finishing the main PCB.
100% recommended to newbie or advance users of any other EDA. Just try it guy. You'll love it.
