Comments
DipTrace is an EDA (Electronic Design Automation) platform for the PCB designing and creating schematic diagrams. It is developed by Novarm Ltd. And was first released in 2004. In the past 16 years, it has greatly improved and its latest version is the DipTrace 4.0, which was published in 2020. Download DipTrace. DipTrace - PCB Design software. EDA/CAD package with autorouter, Schematic Capture multi-level hierarchy, real-time DRC, 3D Preview/export, Gerber output and comprhensive component and pattern libraries. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal) and run command: xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/DipTrace.app 4. Launch DipTrace from your Applications.
- edited 2011-01-07 - 14:42:56I'm a hobbyist, so consider I'm using the software for one-off boards.
I started with eagle. I tested also kicad, geda, and tinycad+freepcb. At the moment I'm using diprace under linux and windows. I have no Mac, and I had a special way to freeze any Mac in my hand at the university, so don't count on me for a Mac compatibility...
In my opinion open source software at the moment have not the cutting edge. Moreover from a hobbyist point of view limitations of free versions of diptrace/eagle are a little problem. I haven't the resource for making a multilayer/jumbo board.
I really like Diptrace for ease of use and customer care.
Libraries are very easy to make, but not so easy to manage. In any way I voted for Diptrace because in my opinion it is more immediate than Eagle.
I will never be able to unleash the full power of a CAE, so weight my opinion accordingly.
Massimo - edited 2011-01-07 - 14:55:04I'm a hobbyist, so consider I'm using the software for one-off boards.
Massimo
Massimo,
Thanks for your vote and feedback. You represent exactly the customer I’m talking about.
Many of our educational projects are also used by hobbyists at home.
You have an interesting background history on PCB software which makes your opinion more useful than mine (I have very limited PCB + Schematic software experience myself).
Once we release more and more Open Source projects you will have access to editable project files that you can modify for designing your own one-off boards. We hope that sharing our files will make your projects easier to get started and keep going. - edited 2011-01-07 - 15:32:43I'm really just starting out using Diptrace but I've found it much easier to work with than Eagle (maybe I never gave Eagle enough of a chance).
I've done a number of boards using Expresspcb software. I know that no one is going to suggest that you start using that (proprietary files, software limitations, etc.) but it is easy to use. To me, Diptrace seems similar enough that it's pretty straightforward to get started using it. More powerful than Expresspcb software, but not a huge learning curve to get started. I think this is valuable for hobbyists. If it can handle what you need at a professional level, it seems to me to be the best tool (of the two). - edited 2011-01-07 - 15:50:35I prefer eagle but that is what I am use to. I would like to use altium but can't afford it.
Dip trace for me has never been a consideration. But I think everyone needs to find the software they like and provides gerbers.
For you as a provider you should support both. Though it is more helpful with eagle if you support older versions of eagle since cadsoft tried to make everyone rebuy 5 when 4.1 works just as well - edited 2011-01-07 - 17:02:29When I evaluated PCB programs many years ago Protel was the best for the price and for my needs, this is back in the DOS days, I produced many complex PCB's with Protel for Dos and latter the windows version, but now its out of my price range. Today I think Diptrace is the best PCB program for my needs with a price that's in my budget and it gets better every version.
PS just for your information I have imported Eagle pcbs with Diptrace without any issues. - edited 2011-01-07 - 17:22:57I use DipTrace and I won't likely ever outgrow it. I was excited to hear that they released a Mac version but no so excited to use it since it is requires wine to run. I'm hoping that they will release an OS X native application, until then I will run it under XP.
Rich H - edited 2011-01-07 - 17:27:12Though it is more helpful with eagle if you support older versions of eagle since cadsoft tried to make everyone rebuy 5 when 4.1 works just as well
Thanks for the insight. You just brought up an issue that I didn’t mention in my post:
Software versions.
I was focused in the software itself and I didn’t cover Parallax policies on software revisions. At a personal level, I just use a piece of software for as long as it works fine for me. I don’t think in upgrading to a newer version unless a “must have” feature is added (or if I move to a newer PC that is no longer compatible with the older software revision).
Our internal policies in Parallax tend to push the software licenses we use to the latest version available.
There are many reasons, as support being terminated by the software provider in older versions, or new employees coming to the company and requiring new software license purchases (you're forced to buy the latest version in most cases). Once we have one employee on a newer license, we need to bring all of them to the same one to keep them in sync.
In your case I can see that even if we use EAGLE we will probably be out of sync with your version of EAGLE. I’m not sure if we could export the EAGLE file in an older version format and even if the possibility is provided, it doesn’t always work as well if the design uses a feature added in the newer license version.
I remember some issues we experienced when we had one engineer in Protel 98 SE and other in Protel 99. It caused all sorts of problems and the import-export features never worked 100% right even in the same software but different revision.
The same will happen with DipTrace users. If we go with DipTrace we will keep using the latest version so users of paid licenses will have to upgrade their licenses in some cases. - edited 2011-01-07 - 19:51:00Ari didn't mention that our Engineering Department (Rocklin) uses Altium for schematic and PCB layout. This program seems to export to a DipTrace-compatible format but we don't have readily-obvious ways of producing an Eagle file.
The PropBOE, for example, will be done in Altium and exported to DipTrace so you can make your own from our files, or to do whatever you want with the native layout. One of the requirements is that the board be fully open-sourced. Releasing Altium files isn't going to help anybody who wants to make their own, and sharing the Gerbers lock people out too. Open-source is only useful if you can actually edit the files in our view - I don't like open-source 'back-slapping' from people or companies who claim their open-source files are useful when expensive software licenses or un-editable files keep the hobbyist from truly realizing their goal.
For our professional designs we will continue to use Altium. And this program can make a DipTrace-compatible file. - edited 2011-01-08 - 04:16:00I use DipTrace for my products. Products that I work on with a colleague are done in Altium (my PowerTwig 3D views are courtesy of Altium). I have been really happy with it and dumped Eagle fairly quickly once I demo'd DipTrace. All personal opinion of course, but here are some other thoughts:
1) Support for DipTrace seems to be more solid and easier to obtain from the developers not just users.
2) The pricing structure for Eagle is extremely complicated, compared to DipTrace's pricing, which in my opinion is reason enough to avoid purchase of software of this sort. There isn't really much sense from a marketing perspective in making such a complicated matrix for a CAD Software package. This makes me suspect that the development costs of Eagle are factored in every way possible to each purchase of Eagle.
3) Opportunities to increase DipTrace's marketshare by having an avenue like Parallax for users and libraries should not be ignored. Novarm (DipTrace's maker) may even be interested in working with Parallax closer for this reason.
4) By settling on a professional standard that is available to hobbyists, Parallax can help increase the expertise of the users and thus increase the number of Parallax based PCBs on the market, which in turn means more sales.
5) I have been in contract manufacturing for 11 years (PCB manufacturing for almost 20) and I have yet to see any company (other that start-ups) use Eagle and this is why I don't consider it 'professional' software.
6) DipTrace's track record is much smoother and faster than Eagle's. Look at the progression of the features in the past 5 years. DipTrace has made major leaps and bounds, where Eagle has simply maintained steady improvements.
7) Most engineers that I know of that started with Eagle did so for it's simplicity, but switched away from it for it's ease of use for complicated designs. - edited 2011-01-08 - 07:09:55I used EAGLE first for PCB design, but always found it difficult to work with. I switched to DipTrace after seeing a PCB tutorial by Nick and have been using it ever since. Granted, I've never gotten a PCB made, but I use it for schematics and concept designs.
- edited 2011-01-08 - 07:50:01I vote for DipTrace also, I use it for Hobby Circuits and Schematics.
Was under the impression that Diptrace was allready the default software for Parallax??
I got Diptrace from Parallax, Open Source Hardware Design link, from the two axis Joystick product page.
Super easy to learn and use too..
Just design what I want, and take the files over to the UPS store(printing shop), and they put it on Photo or Transparency paper for Me.. - edited 2011-01-08 - 09:20:473) Opportunities to increase DipTrace's marketshare by having an avenue like Parallax for users and libraries should not be ignored. Novarm (DipTrace's maker) may even be interested in working with Parallax closer for this reason.
.
Yes, we can certainly work with Novarm establishing a partnership with them.
Several years ago, when I went with EAGLE I tried to find ways to work with them but CadSoft was not a very receptive or communicative company. They put me in contact with somebody in Florida (US) and we were pretty much on our own.
I contacted Novarm as part of my research before making this post in the forum. Response time is minutes and they’re very quick to make decisions and they offer help and support. I believe they understand much better the advantages in working together with Parallax than any other PCB software company I worked with before (I also talked with the makers of Target 3001, the German-ish PCB software that has been around for a while).
It could be a win-win-win situation, where
- Novarm gets more exposure to Parallax customers,
- Parallax gets better PCB/Sch software support and exposure to DipTrace users, and
- Parallax customers will receive more complete design files (Open Source) to use as they see fit (just for reference or to kick start a projects from an existing file) while receiving support from both companies (Novarm on software and PLX on hardware design). - edited 2011-01-08 - 14:07:13I use DipTrace and I won't likely ever outgrow it. I was excited to hear that they released a Mac version but no so excited to use it since it is requires wine to run. I'm hoping that they will release an OS X native application, until then I will run it under XP.
Rich H
I use Diptrace in windows and Linux using Wine. It works rather well (the linux machine is an eeepc). Moreover I have libraries and projects in a dropbox folder, so they are the same on both machines.
Massimo - edited 2011-01-08 - 15:08:51I am also a hobbiest and have produce about 3 boards a year. I originally looked at eagle but never got proficient. I tried Diptrace about a year or so ago and felt I could do most anything in very short order. I am also partial to companies that support non-commercial hobbiest. Thumbs up for DipTrace.
- edited 2011-01-12 - 11:14:24OK. DipTrace it is.
I just closed the poll and it was about 91% DipTrace and 9% EAGLE.
All internal testing so far was positive and communication with Novarm is great.
Parallax Rocklin Engineering is using Altium and they can export/import DipTrace files, so things keep getting better and better.
Now I have to check out and work out a plan for all PLS US Education and PLX HK Engineering staff and projects to switch to DipTrace. - edited 2011-01-14 - 14:50:55I don't use schematic software much. I used EAGLE once to make a schematic for one of the few projects I've actually built. But I just downloaded DIpTrace and the first impression I have of the company is how terrible the text looks in the tutorial. I wouldn't even think it's possible to make text spacing look this bad with modern tools. Since the main focus of their product is supposed to be creating quality output I'm surprised they'd allow something like this to reach the public. Ari, the next time you talk to them you might want to point this out.788 x 194 - 54K
- edited 2011-01-15 - 01:19:45To be honest I don't see where is the problem, but I'm not visual designer. Tutorial was created with Help and Manual default PDF output feature, Help and Manual seems to be one of the leading tools for creating tutorials, help files, etc. We focus mainly on the product and customer support, and use Help and Manual and Camtasia Studio features to make tutorials - at my opinion they have acceptable output quality.
Regards,
Stanislav Ruev
DipTrace Team - edited 2011-01-15 - 11:42:37Hi, Stanislav. Thanks for the reply. I'm glad Novarm is taking an interest in Parallax and its customers. This is a terrific community and I'm sure there will be many mutual benefits.To be honest I don't see where is the problem, but I'm not visual designer.
I'm not a visual designer either, but I'm a consumer of visual design and I've done some freelance editing. Look at the screenshot attached to my previous message. In the second word, 'document', the 'm' collides with the 'e'. There are many places in the paragraph where the letters collide. The letter spacing in general is jagged. I honestly find it hard to read. Now compare that to this screenshot which I created by pasting that paragraph into Pages and creating a PDF:
Surely you can see the difference. Perhaps there's a configuration error in the software you're using to create the PDF?740 x 239 - 55K - edited 2011-01-15 - 12:43:21Surely you can see the difference. Perhaps there's a configuration error in the software you're using to create the PDF?
Thanks! I will forward this to the staff who compiled tutorial and probably to H&M company if default settings have such issues. - edited 2011-01-17 - 10:27:52I don't use schematic software much. I used EAGLE once to make a schematic for one of the few projects I've actually built.
In the case of my engineers, it’s mandatory for them to generate a schematic before doing any PCB layout and keeping that schematic updated as they move along making design changes while working in the layout. They were doing it in EAGLE and will do the same in DipTrace.
Why? In a personal use you could just make PCB files directly and check manually your designs. You’re the only one working on those files too and you can choose how to document them. Whatever works better for you.
But in a company setup I’ve seen many times in the past the problems caused due to lack of schematic design (and sometimes I see repercussions of past mistakes in new prototypes).
• Documentation problems since there’s no valid/current schematic to share with customers
• You cannot use the software to check the PCB layout against the schematic design to catch PCB layout errors
• If the project moves to somebody else in the organization, the documentation is missing or broken unless the current schematic is attached to the current PCB
I’m sure there are more reasons but just with the last one the case was strong enough to require schematics on all designs. To make sure that engineers get used to do schematics before starting the layout design I request schematics in all products. Yes, even a connector PCB adaptor board, which consists of one PCB, the component and a couple of headers, must have a schematic.
Now, once you’re used to do schematics and it saved you while checking the PCB for errors a couple of times, preventing waste of time in the design cycle for sending defective prototype PCBs out, you get to appreciate this feature.
Regarding your comment about the documentation, I see that DipTrace is already following up from your report. As I said before, I’m impressed on how responsive Novarm (DipTrace) is on any comment/request coming from any customer. Not sure what the issue is but it could be a font that is not embedded (included) in the end pdf file so it will look perfect in the PC that made the file and different in another PC that doesn’t have loaded the same fonts. That was just a guess but I’d let Novarm’s team follow up on it. - edited 2011-01-17 - 12:00:32Regarding your comment about the documentation, I see that DipTrace is already following up from your report. As I said before, I’m impressed on how responsive Novarm (DipTrace) is on any comment/request coming from any customer.
Yeah, that's great. I hope they can figure out what the issue is. To me, the appearance of documentation says a lot about the company that produced it. - edited 2011-01-17 - 12:54:22I've been pushing Diptrace on the forums here for several years.
Here's an old thread: 01-12-2009 04:42 PM
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?109403-Diptrace-Version-2.0-%282009%29&highlight=Diptrace
Their support is excellent.
Diptrace gets my vote - edited 2011-01-18 - 18:41:58Hello Aristides-Alvarez-(Parallax),
I posted a reply, but either got bumped off-line or never logged in. When I went to post reply it told me to refresh and everything was lost. Any way I see that it's a close subject now but I did start my current project with ExpressPCB and that was at the right speed for me. I did 2 or 3 prototypes and bounced around trying other free downloads even Diptrace. None seem to click but someone from the Forum suggested that I try Diptrace and I did again and I'm glad I did. I've developed 3 boards(2 controller & 1 switch) for my project and I currently have (100 cntrl & 100 switch) boards arriving from China 2 days from now. I'm by no means close to an expert but I think its a great product. This has taking way to long to do but like I said I'm no expert. NOTE: I did do both Sch/PCB with ExpressPCB(very easy), but when it came to doing the Sch. in Diptrace I was totally/completely lost. Why I don't know, so I jumped into the PCB layout and it went great. Both Thru hole(43 patterns/149 pins) & SMT versions(65 pattern/249 pins). SMT was designed with the BS2e Interpreter. I have gone back and did 2 of the 3 boards Schematics but it was painful. I don't know how to use the Autorouting so every part was manual. I know it's a mute point now but it was a very easy program to learn. They have always seem to answer Forum question very quickly and even raise their pin count from 250 to 300 hundred. I did purchase their $75.00 small business version at the end of last year also(Taxes). I will not out this program for a long time.
my 2 cents
Howard - edited 2011-01-18 - 22:50:04Hi Howard,
Did you see our tour (there are both designing schematic and auto-routing there): http://www.diptrace.com/tour
Regards,
Stanislav - edited 2011-01-19 - 11:37:49Ok, twice I have responded and twice it has not shown up...what am I doing wrong...Eagle or Diptrace.
Both time I had to re-log in
Howard - edited 2011-01-19 - 11:40:35Howard, if you're having trouble with the forum you should test in the test forum (http://forums.parallax.com/forumdisplay.php?45-Test-Forum).
- edited 2011-01-19 - 11:47:00OK, this time my screen did a double refresh(best way I can describe it) and now I see it, plus a response from novarm. I did view the video( 2 or 3 time). I'll just have to find more time to really understand what I'm doing and what's suppose to happen when I'm starting a layout.
PS: FedEx tried to deliver my boards today but I was out(1 day earlier then scheduled). Can't wait.
Thanks for the reply
Howard
DipTrace Crack Full Version Download is a powerful application that allows you to design circuit boards. The application consists of four modules which provide you with circuit diagram acquisition, printed circuit board layout, component and sample editors.
EDA (Electronic Design Automation) is a highly important and widely used discipline in electrical and design engineering. It deals with the designing and analysis of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and circuits.
Given the challenges designers face, the need for good PCB design software programs is ever-increasing. Here we are discussing a comparison between DipTrace vs EAGLE. These are two popular EDA applications and have a variety of features. These are also in the lower priced end of the price range.
To help you select between DipTrace vs EAGLE, we have compared them on all major technical parameters and other factors such as pricing, features, system requirements and more.
DipTrace PCB Design Software
DipTrace is an EDA (Electronic Design Automation) platform for the PCB designing and creating schematic diagrams. It is developed by Novarm Ltd. and was first released in 2004. In the past 16 years, it has greatly improved and its latest version is the DipTrace 4.0, which was published in 2020.
DipTrace consists of four main modules, SC (Schematic Capture) editor, PCB layout editor that includes shape-based auto-routing features, component editor, and pattern editor.
The new version features a lot of upgrades and offers some advanced tools like: diff pair constraint management, auto/manual defining of paired pads, phase tuning tools, controlling phase and length tolerance dynamically, paired trace recognition and more.
Based on feedback from users over time, DipTrace has also included features such as Gerber X2 manufacturing file output, ODB++ version 7.0, design rule checking with constraint defining and management, tree-view for 3-D models and an updated library with a wide range of parts and models.
KEY FEATURES:
In this section, we have given the details of the key features available in DipTrace.
- DRC with constraint manager: The new DipTrace platform has a better than ever design rule checker, which also supports electrical rules. The ERC allows customization and the option to create constraints for additional modules, detecting unconnected pins, short circuits, single pin nets, and more.
- Component Editor: DipTrace offers an intuitive component editing workspace. With tools like BSDL import, pin naming and management, part handling becomes much easier. It also allows the designer to create single / multi part components through templates by defining dimensions, electrical and visual pin factors, initiating a SPICE model and combining the pattern with a 3D model.
- Advanced Schematic Features: For working on complex circuits, DipTrace includes multi-sheet and multi-level hierarchical capture tools. You also get cross module management, which allows conversion of principal circuits to boards, front-back annotation, and format support from other EDA, CAD and netlists.
- Library Management: Users get a cross-module LMS (Library Management System) that allows you to import components and patterns from external sources. Components can be created quickly with pre-built templates in a smart library environment. Patterns and components with a large number of pins can be built faster with bulk pin naming and pad numbering.
- Advanced Auto-Routing: DipTrace has a modern routing engine with intelligent manual routing and shape based auto routing that supports high speed features and differential pairs. You can define your design requirements by class-class rules, net classes by class-wise or layer-wise object type settings.
- Design Tools for High-Speed Features: To help you work on complex projects, DipTrace also has tools such as: dynamic length comparison tables, length-matching, rule checking for length tolerance and meander placement features for efficiently obtaining the timing for high speed nets and buses. The routing of differential pairs with specific parameters such as phase and length, in both single and double track modes is made easier. Thanks to the phase tuning tool, shift corrections can also be made accurately.
- Pattern Editor Module: With the help of this feature, you can draw patterns with various shapes and styles, create footprints and more. The pattern generator can be used to create patterns with quality assurance in sync with the IPC-7351 Custom templates can also be made and reused for various designs, and files can also be exported and imported as DXF, which is a useful format for compatibility with manufacturing programs.
- 3D Functionality: With a wide range of 3D features, DipTrace integrates the 3D module within the layout and pattern editors for faster model generation. You can build, edit, view, and orient the model. Furthermore, export options such as CAD (STEP, VRML) and 3DS and IGES are supported, which can be opened in other CAD applications also. The library contains over 11k models with 3D compatibility.
Why Choose DipTrace? (PROS)
- The ability to save models in MCAD supported formats allows you to use it in collaboration with mechanical designs.
- With a variety of pricing options, the base versions are very affordable and can be scaled up on a requirement basis.
- The learning curve for DipTrace is very gentle and the in-built tutorials help novice users learn the functions quickly.
- The features for high-speed design and interactive routing make this a great option for working on high level projects also.
- DipTrace can be run on most of the major operating systems, such as Windows, macOS and Linux based platforms.
CONS
- Tools for working with HDI (High Density Interconnect) structures are limited.
- The hardware and GPU acceleration systems need to be improved as graphic intensive tasks run a bit slowly.
What is unique about DipTrace?
One of the main features of DipTrace is that it is immensely easy to use and even beginning users can easily learn the software and start creating PCB designs and projects.
With a variety of pricing and feature options, designers of all experience levels can try this program, be it beginners or expert users.
Who’s it for?
This is a program with a wide range of functions and hence can be used by novices and professionals alike. There are both commercial and non-commercial licenses available to suit individuals and businesses.
Supported Platforms:
- Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 (32, 64-bit)
- Linux (Wine)
- Mac OS X
System Requirements:
Below are the minimum system requirements for downloading, installing and using DipTrace on your designing device:
- 1 GHz Pentium III processor or equivalent
- 1 GB RAM
- 2 GB hard disk space
- 1024×768 screen resolution or higher
- OpenGL / DirectX 9.0 or higher
PRICING:
- DipTrace offers a free version.
- It also provides a DipTrace Lite version for free to students and academic institutions.
- DipTrace Starter (300 pins, 2 signal layers): $75.00
- DipTrace Lite (500 pins, 2 signal layers): $145.00
- DipTrace Standard (1000 pins, 4 signal layers): $395.00
- DipTrace Extended (2000 pins, 6 signal layers): $695.00
- DipTrace Full (Unlimited pins, Unlimited signal layers): $995.00
Pricing plans for businesses, commercial ventures and academic institutions are different and a quote for the above options can be requested from the DipTrace website.
Is DipTrace worth it?
DipTrace is a great option for PCB designing, with the number of tools it provides and the quick processing and workflow. It is also really simple to understand and use, which helps beginners get a grasp of the software.
Moreover, the user interface is highly intuitive, with a focus on productivity and simplicity. The scalability also allows users with various requirements to purchase a license as they require and not pay for features they don’t need.
Autodesk EAGLE
Autodesk EAGLE (Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor) is a widely used PCB designing platform with powerful layout and schematic features and performance.
The original publisher was CadSoft Computer GmbH. In 2016, Autodesk acquired EAGLE. Autodesk added some more features and revamped the platform to upgrade the performance and more.
Users now get a new user interface with productive and efficient tools and an improved layout editor, routing engine and schematic capture abilities. Other additions are the multi-window GUI (Graphical User Interface), a project management system, 3D functionality with mechanical design collaboration.
In the latest version, more attention has been given to professional features and also on improving user-friendliness. Autodesk is known for its design platforms. Hence, they have created a new design cloud suite, with seamless format support and electrical as well as mechanical design solutions together.
EAGLE is now integrated and available with the Fusion 360 software bundle. The EAGLE 9.6 version also features some added functionality for manufacturing and production related processes. Let’s take a look at some of its highlights.
KEY FEATURES:
Here we have discussed the main features and highlights of EAGLE.
- HDI Designing: In the modern world, the focus is on compact technology. As a result, PCB and chips are shrinking in size, posing new challenges and calling for a high density design form. To work on such complex HDI projects, EAGLE includes features such as BGA (Ball Grid Array) fanout routing, working with blind and buried vias and even microvias.
- Modular Design Blocks: To save you the effort of creating shapes and blocks from scratch every time, with EAGLE you can create modular design blocks and shapes which can be saved for future use. You can drag&drop them to new projects, or save them in the library to use in a different project.
- SPICE Simulation: It is extremely important to analyse the behaviour of your PCB through simulations. This can tell you if the performance of the board is as per your design, or if some improvement or changes are needed. EAGLE gives an advanced set of simulation related tools with its SPICE simulation platform.
- Manufacturing and Production Support: Users who have to work on designs for manufacturing will find some great options in EAGLE. It can obtain the part details and availability information from the suppliers based on the parts you use in your design. It can also indicate fluctuations or changes in pricing and details so you can avoid such problems once the design is complete.
- High Speed Feature Design: For complex boards like memory or motherboards, high-speed features have to be designed into the board. These features are required when the physical limitations of the PCB affect signal integrity and the performance of the circuit. EAGLE has a set of features that include length tuning, making blind and buried vias, diff-pair routing and more.
- Powerful Rule Checking: In ensuring that your design is valid and error-free, rule checking is a very important tool. With EAGLE, designers can check rules in both electrical and design processes. Moreover, certain additional modules are also covered to help you while designing unconventional circuits.
- Interactive Manual Routing: EAGLE also provides interactive routing techniques that allow users to smartly avoid obstacles while routing and route using an intelligent system that detects obstructions in the path and suggests alternative routes to avoid the obstacles.
- 3D Design Suite: The Autodesk functionality for 3D design allows you to open your electrical circuits and boards in native mechanical CAD platforms and check the fit and dimensions of the board with the enclosure. Your EDA projects and CAD projects can be opened together to ensure the highest quality and accuracy in your designs.
Why Choose Eagle? (PROS)
- Integration with the Fusion 360 suite offers a wide range of solutions to handle all your PCB design tasks.
- Design reusability and modular design blocks allow you to save time and effort.
- You can make simultaneous edits between your schematic and layout with Dynamic Design Synchronization.
- Subscription based pricing plans allow you to pay for the software for as long as you need it.
- EAGLE runs on the major operating systems such as Windows, macOS and Linux Ubuntu.
CONS
- The recurring cost for EAGLE in the form of annual maintenance fees is high, and has to be paid for upgrading to the new version.
- The learning curve is quite steep and it requires a lot of time and effort to understand the UI and work with it for new users.
What is unique about Eagle?
EAGLE is a very capable design solution for PCBs and electric circuits. It comes within the Autodesk Fusion 360 package, which includes other design applications to give you a complete platform for design to manufacture processing of boards.
EAGLE libraries have a variety of components and part information that is very useful in deciding which parts to select for your project. The Element14 site includes a lot of consolidated libraries which contain additional content that you can use directly for your file.
Who’s it for?
The features in EAGLE can cater to users of various kinds of experience, from novice to expert. The user interface is not very user friendly, and might be difficult for beginners to understand initially. So it is better suited to users who have some experience in PCB designing.
Supported Platforms:
- Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
- Mac OS (64-bit)
- Linux Ubuntu (SSE, 8bpp)
System Requirements:
The following are the minimum system requirements for running EAGLE on your device.
Windows
- Operating System: Windows 7 or newer
- CPU: 64-bit processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM (4GB recommended)
- Internet: DSL internet connection or faster
- Storage: At least 650MB of free space
Mac
- Operating System: OS X Yosemite (10.10.x), El Capitan (10.11.x) or MacOS Sierra (10.12)
- CPU: 64-bit processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM (4GB recommended)
- Internet: DSL internet connection or faster
- Storage: At least 650MB of free space
Linux
- Operating System: Intel PC-based Linux with 2.6 kernel
- CPU: Needs to support SSE
- Graphics: X11 with a minimum colour depth of 8 bpp
- Libraries: libssl.so.1.0.0, libcrypto.so.1.0.0
- Internet: DSL internet connection or faster
- Storage: At least 650MB of free space
Note: For the 64 bit version of Autodesk EAGLE, the libc.so.6 with subversion GLIBC_2.14 or higher will be required.
PRICING:
Autodesk EAGLE is available bundled with the Fusion 360 software suite. Prices given below are for the complete Fusion 360 package.
- A free version is available with limited functionality (Available for 12 months): Included with a Fusion 360 subscription for personal use, EAGLE free download is a limited version for beginners including 2 schematic sheets, 2 signal layers, and an 80cm2 (12.4in2) board area.
- A full-featured free trial is available for 30 days.
- Monthly Subscription: $60.00
- Annual Subscription: $495.00
- Three-Year Subscription: $1335.00
Is Autodesk Eagle worth it?
EAGLE offers a feature-rich experience and users, who know their way around a design program, will find it quite functional and productive. However, beginners might need some time to adjust to the user interface. The pricing is subscription-based and hence users can pay for as long as they use the software.
Main Differences Between DipTrace Vs Eagle
Below are the main 7 differences between DipTrace and EAGLE.
- The DipTrace user interface is much better as compared to EAGLE, and beginners will find it easier to understand it.
- DipTrace is available as a perpetual license whereas EAGLE offers subscription based licenses.
- EAGLE has an integrated mechanical and electrical design platform which allows you to open your 3D PCB file in either CAD or EDA applications.
- EAGLE also provides forward/backward sync, which makes changes in both the board and schematic simultaneously.
- DipTrace offers a custom constraint defining system, which can be extended to modules beyond design and electrical.
- Users also get autorouting features with DipTrace, and interactive routing in manual mode which makes routing much easier and quicker.
- EAGLE supports design for HDI structures through tools such as faster fanout routing and more. In DipTrace, these tasks are more slightly more difficult.
Which Software Is Best For PCB Designing, DipTrace Vs Eagle
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On taking PCB designing as a focal point, EAGLE provides some more advanced features as compared to DipTrace, but DipTrace also has adequate high-level features for professional users. With EAGLE, designers get a better mechanical design review, which can be helpful from a manufacturing perspective.
Considering the pricing though, EAGLE will seem more affordable, and has special versions for academics/businesses. Both are supported on major operating systems, and provide almost similar performance.
DipTrace Vs Eagle: Who’s the Winner?
The decision lies with individual requirements, as both programs offer all the essential PCB designing tools, and the high-level tools are slightly different, which needs to be selected according to user requirements.
Hence, you can consider factors such as pricing, performance, feature set, and system requirements. DipTrace can prove to be a better option for users who beginners in PCB design and want to start working on projects fast.
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Features such as DFM tools, component and pattern management, are available in DipTrace and can help you make better schematics and layouts. The routing can also be done more easily thanks to the auto-routing options.
EAGLE, on the other hand, has features to help you work on more complex projects, HDI (High Density Interconnect) and projects that involve high speed features. Designers also get an amazing mechanical CAD integration with the Autodesk platform.
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So, Which One Should You Pick? (CONCLUSION)
The right option for you will be the one that suits all your designing requirements, and is compatible with your system specifications and budget. While EAGLE is slightly better suited to experienced users, DipTrace is more user friendly and novice designers will prefer its UI.
On the other hand, their pricing plans are different: one is license-based and another is subscription-based. Hence, you can select whichever plan meets your requirements. Both are ideal for individuals and small to mid-size businesses. Hence the decision between DipTrace vs EAGLE is completely an individual choice.
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Hopefully, you have found this DipTrace v Eagle comparison guide worthwhile and it has helped you to make an informed choice about these two PCB Design Software.
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Additionally, you can also check out our comparison of OrCAD vs Eagle and DipTrace vs Altium Designer, if you are still not quite settled on a solution.