Circuits.io is growing up – multi-layered PCBs and more

Circuits.io is growing up – multi-layered PCBs and more(blog.circuits.io)

64 points by benschrauwen 13 years ago | 22 comments

kyzyl 13 years ago |

This has a lot of potential, but doesn't seem to be functional yet. That is to say, a partially functional EDA software is pretty much useless.

I just tried to work up part of a board I'm designing right now using the interface, and was stopped dead when the IC I needed wasn't available. When I tried to input the IC footprint specs, the proper (standard) footprint wasn't available, only one that is "almost right". Then when I tried to continue anyhow, the interface told me to select pads to map them, but nothing was clickable. This kind of thing is a complete show stopper. I can't adopt a piece of software without knowing that in the worst case I can design my footprints manually, in a reliable way.

Minor nit picks: - Disabling the context menu is fairly irritating

- Many of the buttons ("create", "next") take a very long time to do anything and so they appear broken

- If you're going to use Octopart as your parts DB (which is a great idea) why not use an interface more similar to theirs for fitlering, instead of making me scroll through 5000 components to find the one with the right package?

EDIT: If I am simply missing some key piece of the interface, do let me know.

cadr 13 years ago |

After Tinkercad shutting down, I would be wary of tying my workflow (or investing my time in learning) into software I didn't own. Not trying to spread FUD or anything, but it seems risky.

acgourley 13 years ago | |

While I agree that all users are taking the risk you describe, I think they reason they are using the website at all is the hope that an online tool will increase productivity via features only an online tool could be expected to have. That trade-off might be unavoidable.

cadr 13 years ago | | |

What are those features?

rcfox 13 years ago | |

If you're using something like Orcad or Altium, you don't own that software either; you're paying for a license to use it.

TheLegace 13 years ago |

This is some really cool software. I have just finished my first boards with eagle and open sourced them. Alas I absolutely hated Eagle, but getting mercy for Linux users is a miracle in of itself ;(

If anyone gives a shit my boards are here. https://bitbucket.org/TheLegace/yurt_motordrive-hardware

jrabone 13 years ago | |

Did you hate Eagle because you are used to something better (and presumably costing $000's), or because it's not like any other app? IME all EDA apps are weird, and I really like Eagle (although I don't use the auto router).

fnordfnordfnord 13 years ago | | |

Eagle is terrible, and their "native" linux app is (or at least it was) less robust than some Windows software under WINE.

angusgr 13 years ago | |

FWIW I have access to an Eagle license but prefer to use Kicad whenever I can. In no small part because of the Linux app being clunky (also because Kicad is FOSS.)

The annoying thing about using both is they're both similar-but-different in lots of little ways (like the other comment says, all EDA apps are weird.) Learning one once you're used to the other is a pain, but it's not impossible.

michaelt 13 years ago |

Anyone know what the business model is here? How can I expect to be monetised once I'm tied in?

kbruneel 13 years ago | |

Hi Michael

We just hope you will order your boards through circuits.io :), but we will not tie you in. You can download your gerbers and have your board produced elsewhere.

Karel

michaelt 13 years ago | | |

Gerbers are fine for sending PCB layouts to board manufacturers - but what about my schematics and my library of footprints for parts I've used before?

Traditionally EDA tools are weak at importing and exporting this sort of thing which makes moving between tools a total pain. Could be inconvenient if your commercial offering had a price increase, presuming you plan to have a commercial offering (it's not 100% clear from your website; I assume you're planning to make money somehow?).

amirmc 13 years ago |

Anyone come across PCBmodE? Make pretty (and functional) boards.

http://boldport.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/introducing-pcbmode.h...

jrabone 13 years ago | |

It's pretty, but no DRC or back annotation support. It is a shame professional tools have to be so ugly.

drgreiner 13 years ago |

I have wanted to dabble in making my own PCBs and I have always wondered about the steps beyond the PCB. As in, is there a good small-run manufacturer for doing the pick and place of the components?

fnordfnordfnord 13 years ago | |

Fritzing (FOSS) does single and double sided boards and has an almost child-easy interface and they have a pcb fab service

4pcb, PcbExpress, and many other board houses have their own Windows software they give away, but they usually don't let you export your data.

DipTrace is surprisingly good for the cost, runs in WINE, renders 3D models of your PCB.

gEDA - Get ready to spend years of your life editing PCB files, running scripts, generally being an errand boy for your PC, but you can do amazing things with it after you learn to make it sing. (FOSS), but the price you pay is in the thousands of hours you'll spend.

Kicad - (FOSS) - Recently adopted by CERN, I used to consider it less capable than gEDA, probably worth a second look.

ippisl 13 years ago | |

This guy used such a service and tells about it in his blog.

http://www.reddit.com/r/ECE/comments/1cfuk3/making_55_of_som...

proee 13 years ago |

We just released PCBWeb BETA - a full-featured schematic and layout tool. Feedback welcome!

http://www.pcbweb.com