Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!rsiatl!larry
From: larry@rsiatl.UUCP (Larry Kahhan)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Need a good PC board layout system for PCs
Message-ID: <3062@rsiatl.UUCP>
Date: 6 Jul 90 22:06:20 GMT
References: <9353@rice-chex.ai.mit.edu>
Reply-To: larry@rsiatl.UUCP (Larry Kahhan)
Organization: Radiation Systems, Inc. (a thinktank, motorcycle, car and gun works facility)
Lines: 30

In article <9353@rice-chex.ai.mit.edu> jpexg@.MIT.EDU () writes:
>The company I work at is interested in getting a new schematic capture and
>PC board layout setup to run on a PC-AT class computer. We aren't anxious to 
>spend a heap of money, but we want something that we won't curse every time we
>use. 
>
>We've had recommendations re Pads and Tango; Hiwire is cheaper and seems OK, 
>but nobody we know has it. Anyone have comments?
>
>John Purbrick
>jpexg@ai.mit.edu

We've had real good success where I work with Orcad schematic capture
and Orcad PCB. The schematic capture package runs about $500, and the
PCB package runs about $1000. We normally use company proprietary stuff
on mainframes or workstations, but when we need something quick and 
dirty, it's Orcad.

They also have some other packages that integrate with their schamatic
capture package, such as logig simulation and PLD design. We're also
using it to design some logic that integrates with a XILINX programmable
gate-array. All in all, I like Orcad compared to other packages, and best
of all, it's not copy protected, and doesn't require the use of a hardware
locking device, such as Omation's SCHEMA.

The other packages out there are OK, but you'll probably end up paying a
lot more, and with some of the protection devices that they encumber the
legitimate user with, I don't feel they're worth the hassle.

Larry Kahhan - NRA, NRA-ILA, CSG, GSSA , & GOA