I'm looking for PCB software in Ubuntu. Ideally I want to design a circuit without needing it to be really specific. I cannot seem to find any software available. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
Eagle
Eagle includes a layout editor, schematic editor and autorouter.
To install Eagle
sudo apt-get install eaglePCB designer
This one seems to be more complex than eagle with better(complex) features like rats nest feature, design rule checking and industry standard RS-274-X(gerber)
To install PCB designer
sudo apt-get install pcb-gtk #maybe pcb-lesstif toogEDA Schematic
This one is intended to be user friendly and easy to use, similar to Eagle.
To install gEdA Schematic.
sudo apt-get install gedaKicad
This one seems to be overconfident.No info, No screenshot.But it's a PCB designer and comments/ratings are good.
To install Kicad
sudo apt-get install kicadFritzing
In it's Beta, this may not be one you would want to use professionally.But it's worth giving a try.Worth noting that it has something like Autocompletion.
To install Fritzing
sudo apt-get install fritzingSome helpers to above
- Gerbv gerber file viewer
- Electric
- Visolate
Personally, I think Eagle would best suit your needs.All of the above are Open source and free, just to mention.
3Eagle is a good tool for schematics entry and PCB layout, as mentioned before. It is cross platform and works under Linux, Mac OS X and Windows.
However, if you use the apt-get install method, the version might not be the latest and greatest. For example, Ubuntu 12.04 repositories currently host Eagle version 5.12.0, while the latest available version for download is 6.5.0.
This is how to get the latest version:
Go to cadcoftusa download website here and download the latest version for Linux, for example this file:
wget ftp://Make it executable:
chmod +x eagle-lin-6.5.0.runThen run the installer:
./eagle-lin-6.5.0.runand answer all the questions as needed, for example, the directory where you want it installed. Should you want to place it in the /opt/ or other global location, you may need to prepend the installation program with sudo
Also, you can change the license options later.
0- gEDA Project (with
pcbandgerbvtools) - KiCad
- Fritzing
All are in Ubuntu repository.
See
Eagle is a commercial closed-source product. There is a limited capability free (non-commercial use) version available, though for any non-trivial project that isn't enough. (One schematic page and 4x6 inch 2-sided PCB doesn't get you all that far.)
That said, it is quite a good product, if you can live within the limitations of the free version, or are willing to pay for the less limited commercial licenses. Among other things, defining new devices (schematic symbols and PCB footprints) is straightforward, which isn't necessarily true for other programs including some very expensive "professional" ones.
I think EasyEDA will meet your need. EasyEDA is a free Web-based EDA tool which provides schematic capture, simulation and PCB design. It’s a perfect tool for helping you complete your design from schematic to the finished PCB in the shortest time and easiest way. No matter you are using Mac, Linux or Windows; Chrome, Firefox, IE, Opera, or Safari, EasyEDA has all the features you expect and need to rapidly and easily take your design from conception through to production.
EasyEDA aims to bring an easier EDA experience to every electronic hobbyist. \There is a large amount of open projects on it. Users can access to Open Source modules developed by thousands of electronics engineers.
