dweith

I am using KiCad on Windows7 x64 SP1 & Ubuntu 10.04.2 x64. The user interface is exactly the same for both Windows and Linux since it is Java program. The Windows install is very easy and the only addition install on windows is the 3D viewer which is from, and is available via apt-get. The progam is very simalr to Eagle, but will handle multi-layer boards unlike free Eagle. The 3D viewer uses .wrl files created in Wings and there are shapes for almost every package shape already included. There is also a good user group on Yahoo.com should you run into any problems or have questions. It had been several years since I had done a layout and am very surprised at how powerful the tools have become. Back in the late 80s and early 90s it was how I earned my paycheck. I started with routing with tape and then used a DOS program Tango which was purchased by Pads so I then started using that product before changing careers. KiCad comes with very complete set libraries for both the schematic and layout programs with DIP and SMT parts. Foot print association is via the net list with cross association if entered in the library. If not there is a tool to set all the foot prints and then place them in the PCB. I found adding parts is a little tricky at first, but once I got the hang of it it is very easy. There is no integrated auto routing, but does use FreeRouting at http://www.freerouting.net/ should you need to use it. There is a pop-up utilty for the dsn file creation and ses file import back in. I started doing layouts again for personal projects, and would have no issues using KiCad in a production environment. The current version is very stable and I have no had any crashes or bugs to report. These are a couple of 3d captures of a small board I did for the RAID card in my home file server. The RocketRaid 2300 does not provide standard two pin LED status indicators, they are open collector connections. This is mounted on a 5-1/4" drive bay blank and works great. My current project for my Netduino is an attemp to read signals from a LSI MegaRAID SGPIO port and convert them over to a set of indicators on a layout as well or an LCD display. Since it I am more of hardware persion I am just learing C# and having a great time. http://kicad.sourceforge.net