Hi Randy,
On 13.12.2016 01:39, Randy Evans wrote:

capability

I have the Maker license from CadSoft (Eagle).
It can do 6 Layers and it costs 169.- U$ but it is limited to 160 * 100mm²
https://cadsoft.io/pricing/

KiCAD may be a nice alternative:
http://kicad-pcb.org/

With PCBArtist I do not have any experince.

HTH,

Andreas

On Mon, Dec 12, 2016 at 04:39:36PM -0800, Randy Evans wrote:

Sorry, no PCBArtist experience here.

A litte apples and oranges here :)

The Eagle Light version can be used for free for
non-profit purposes and works for up to 4x3.2inch
with two layers.

If you don't have any personal preference, then
KiCad is definitely the way to go. It has improved
dramatically since it got the CERN treatment and
doesn't cost a cent regardless of size and layers.

Best,
Herbert

KiCad looks very good and I downloaded it to try it out.  However, does
anyone have a good, low-cost PCB fab house to recommend?  I am designing a
voltage reference programmable fro 0 to 10 volts with a LTZ1000 reference
and settabiltiy of 0.1ppm and I need a PCB fabbed.

Thanks,

Randy Evans AE6YG

On Tue, Dec 13, 2016 at 5:22 AM, Herbert Poetzl herbert@13thfloor.at
wrote:

On 12/13/2016 08:22 AM, Herbert Poetzl wrote:

Well, maybe big apples and little apples :-)

Our company has been committed to Eagle for about 5 years.  The problem
you face is that your investment in IP (schematics, board layouts,
component libraries, etc) vastly out-values the software.  With a
proprietary system, you're either locked in or face huge costs in
converting.

Indeed.  I am just about to pull the trigger on KiCAD company-wide.  I
think it is ready for the kind of work we do (4 layer boards, some with
high current/voltage traces).  The only thing holding me back IS our
investment in IP.  Maybe with Eagle 7 using XML for data storage,
someone will write an Eagle to KiCAD converter.

I strongly recommend learning KiCAD (a fairly daunting task) before you
get any significant amount of IP committed to a proprietary format.

John

--
John DeArmond
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
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On 14 December 2016 at 00:04, Randy Evans randyevans2688@gmail.com wrote:

I'd be interested in playing with a little programmable VRef - are you
planning to open or sell yours?

I've used elecrow a lot, for 2 and 4 layer 6 yhou track & gap. Not the
absolute cheapest (dirtypcb for that), but good PCBs on time, and
still painlessly cheap.
http://www.elecrow.com/services/pcb-prototyping.html
http://dirtypcbs.com/store/pcbs

Steve

Randy Evans randyevans2688@gmail.com writes:

Hi Randy

To compare prices you can have a look at

http://pcbshopper.com/

I have used Elecrow and also dirtypcbs. Both were excellent. These days
you can get beautiful double sided, PTH boards with solder mask and silk
screen for practically nothing. Cutouts, slots, non-pth holes, choice of
solder mask colours available for free.

The going rate starts at $10 for 10pcs 50x50mm. Practically free
shipping if you can wait, otherwise ~$25 for DHL etc.

The low prices are achieved by pooling many peoples designs onto one
production panel. So there is usually one price if your board is less
than 50x50mm, then the next price if it is less than 100x100mm.

(I threw out my bubble tank after not using it for 10 years...)

John

--

John Devereux

On Tue, Dec 13, 2016 at 04:04:39PM -0800, Randy Evans wrote:

Make sure to get the 'latest' version, it really makes
a difference compared to older versions.

I can recommend OSHpark as pooling service if you do not
need the boards urgently or have specific requirements
regarding layers or vias or whatnot.

I've done quite a number of PCBs via OSHpark, from small
breakout boards up to quite complicated FPG solutions
used in a 4k cinema camera.

The essential points with OSHpark are (in a nutshell):

• drill sizes are "optimized" i.e. they have certain
  tolerances and you will not always get what you expect..
• you have to use one of the three different stackups
  if you like them or not :)
• there is no electrical test for the PCBs
• there is no impedance control done by OSHpark
• you always get multiples of three boards
• the boards are purple with white silkscreen and
  ENIG finish on the pads.

Hope that helps,
Herbert

PS: if you have more detailed questions, do not hesitate
to ask me ...