Printed Circuit Design Software for Beginners

[Mike Copioli]

I second the EAGLE vote, it is relatively inexpensive but powerful. It is however, as stated, a learning curve. Creating a new part being the steepest part of that curve. Another thing about EAGLE that is strange is the UI. When you want to copy and paste something you actually have to cut it first. This takes some getting used to, that and the creepy eyeball. In spite of all of the weirdness the support is fantastic. It is one of the only software companies that you can actually call and get a human on the phone for support. When I first started using EAGLE I was on the phone with support getting clarification on the whole custom part thing, in my frustration I asked why is this program so counterintuitive in some ways but sensible in so many other ways. There was a short pause and then the tech replied "........because it's German"(in a fake German accent). This statement has become my answer for pretty much everything now.

Once you learn EAGLE using a different type of CAD software such as Solid Works becomes weird. I often find myself trying to do things that can be done in EAGLE but cannot be done in solid works and vice versa.