DesignSpark PCB
DesignSpark PCB Version 3.0, the World's most powerful Free and easy to use Design Tool
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DesignSpark PCB version 3 - Wired by RS
DesignSpark PCB version 3 updates
Free from practical constraints on board size, pin counts, layers and output types, DesignSpark PCB circuit design software can be used for schematic capture, PCB design, layout and generating manufacturing files. Multi-page schematic designs are supported and gerber (extended) file outputs allow the designer to choose who will manufacture the board.
DesignSpark PCB supports the importing of Eagle CAD design files, circuit diagrams and libraries (See the Eagle import tutorial for further information). A comprehensive standard parts library is supplied, which can be amended, copied and added to as required and sophisticated part creation wizards make it easy to Design new parts from scratch or by amending standard symbols and footprints. Bill of materials (BOMs) reports can also be generated at any time; these give RS Components order numbers where appropriate.
DesignSpark PCB is offered completely Free of Charge and fully featured. This is not a cut down version of an expensive product or one with a time limitation on license. (There are no intentional limitations on designs). There are unlimited schematic sheets per project, up to 1m squared of board size and no limits on layers, which allow you to get your creativity flowing without restraints.
DesignSpark PCB allows you to generate all the files required to take your project from circuit diagram to layout schematic to a circuit board built project. Gerbers (Extended RS-274-X), Excellons, BOMs, component lists and positions are possible along with DXF (import and export) and IDF for interfacing to mechanical CAD software tools.
Whether you are a professional designer making money from your designs, an electronics education professional, a student or a hobbyist seeking an easy to use, professional standard, unrestricted schematic capture and PCB layout tool, then DesignSpark PCB is right for you!
Version 3 Feature Updates
Spice Simulation Interface
DesignSpark PCB software can now be interfaced to free industry standard Spice simulators to carry out circuit simulation. DesignSpark PCB Circuit Design Software currently supports four simulators: LTSpice, LSSpice, B2Spice and TINA.
Design Calculators
You can select tracks or vias (vertical electrical connection between different layers of conductors in a PCB) in your design and perform basic electrical calculations such as…
1) Width of a track required for a given current.
2) Impedance of a selected track.
3) Optimum copper density to use.
4) Approximate temperature rise on a track.
5) Resistance of a via given its physical characteristics.
These useful calculators produce approximations of actual circuit performance to aid the decision process in completing a successful PCB layout. Also available is a standard scientific calculator.
Grouping
This feature allows multiple items in your circuit diagram to be associated together so that they act as one ‘unit’. Once defined, groups can be used to assist in selecting related portions of your circuit. Perform group functions from the Schematic to the PCB to enable simpler identification and handling of specific elements of your design.
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Use the download link below to get the latest installations of Design Spark PCB CAD Software and also see the quick start guide for installation and activation instructions.
Please share your designs, libraries and tips with us, so other users can benefit from your experience,
Please make any suggestions to DesignSpark PCB, if you are stuck and need some help answers, please check here, if someone hasn’t already answered your questions then simply ASK!
» DesignSpark PCB selected screenshots
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- 935835 views
- 244 comments
noel_pimentel
hi,
can do i edit any of my gerber file in this software? can this software read .gbx .gbr & .phd file.
Help!
daveegg
You cannot import Gerber files into DesignSpark PCB
Aaroneh
A mac version would be excellent
John.Brazier
I also would like to see a Mac version.
Aaroneh
A mac version would be excellent
gyurma
Please make a Linux version!
I know there is a problem in telling "which Linux version?", but as many of us use Ubuntu or Kubuntu, maybe a long term release of these should be preferred.
I think it is still not too late for porting it...
Pete Wood
Hi Gyurma
Unfortunatley, right now we only have a PC/Windows version. However, we have lots of members successfully using DesignSpark PCB on Ubuntu and Wine.
regiscruzbr
WE NEED A VERSION FOR MAC...
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
el aress
Fantastic software, but please please please please please release a version for the Mac.
northeastman
We received the same Kaperski alert but ignored it after running a Kaperski virus check on all the files.
Program works OK and no further warnings by Kaperski were issued after the first few runs.
We think this is probably Kaperski just being cautious?
Anyone at DS care to confirm the absence of a worm or key logger virus in DS 3.0?
Northeastman
phenix
I vote mac version
marcus.walther
Tried to install this under Windows 7, and my antivirus (Kasperski) reports that the installation contains the PDM.Worm.P2P.generic trojan. Just wondering if anyone else had come across this? I;m assuming its a false positive due to the fact that it's a new version and Kasperski has not seen many users download it, so it is being very cautious, but would like to understand if anyone else has had a similar experience.
Thanks, MW.
madrid
I just had the same problem. Kaspersky quarantined the setup.exe file after detecting this trojan while installing DesignSpark pcb software onto Windows 7 PC. I dont propose to retry this installation incase it is a genuine virus. Any further reports or advice welcome.
twelveeyedfish
Yep, a Mac version would be very much appreciated. Those huge 27" screen are superb for CAD work like this.
twelveeyedfish
Yep, a Mac version would be very much appreciated. Those huge 27" screen are superb for CAD work like this.
PSblnkd
Erste Erfahrungen mit der 3er Version:
Es gibt nach wie vor nur eine englische Version, obwohl zumindest eine deutsche für das Tutorial vorliegt.
An der Funktionalität hat sich auch nicht sehr viel geändert, wenn man mal
von dem Menü-Punkt "Simulation" absieht. Das habe ich ansatzweise auch
gleich mal versucht, es aber wegen der recht umfangreichen, teilweise
nicht sofort verständlichen Dialoge dann doch abgebrochen.
Hier fehlt ein entsprechendes Tutorial.
Diesmal habe ich mir auch gleich aus den vorhandenen Bibliotheken, die -
wie schon aus der 2er Version bekannt - recht unübersichtlich sind, eine
User-definierte Bauteil-Bibliothek zusammengestellt. Damit sollte die
zeitaufwendige Sucherei nach einem geeigneten Bauteil der Vergangenheit
angehören. Leider brachte diese Maßnahme einige zusätzliche Probleme mit
sich:
(1) Zunächst gibt es beim Einfügen eines Bauteils den Hinweis, daß auf
die ursprüngliche Bibliothek zurückgegriffen wird (hat Vorrang) und
somit ggf. User-spezifische Änderungen am Bauteil nicht berücksichtigt
werden.
(2) Des Weiteren war jedesmal nach Einfügen des Bauteils in die
Schaltung die weitere Funktionalität blockiert, was aber mit dem Trick
eines einfachen Fenster-Wechsels hin und wieder zurück behoben werden
konnte.
(3) Auch an der schon in der 2er Version vorhandenen, m.E. nach
mangelhaften Edit-Funktion von "Verbindungen" hat sich nichts geändert.
Häufig ist es einfacher und weniger zeitaufwendig, einfach die
Verbindung zu löschen und neu zu zeichnen.
(4) Angeblich soll die Vermaßungs-Funktion verbessert worden sein, ich
habe leider nichts dergleichen gefunden.
Grüße aus Berlin
PSblnkd
lz_ufo
Great EDA Software!
I vote for a native Linux (intel) version.
Best Regards.
99guspuppet
I vote for Linux and Mac. I will look at the crossover product.
How does everyone like version 3 simulation ? Is it useful ?
What guarantee is there that this product will remain free ???? And continue to be developed ?
Best
Gus
99guspuppet
Vt12
Seems that something wrong with the grids ;))
Brom
Hi Vit12
Many thanks, could you be more specific please?
Kind regards
Brom
Vt12
Hello! I've just checked: in the Vista Working grid and Screen grid are changed together only (Working grid = Screen grid ). You can change grid as you want, but after closing Grids menu and open again you can see that both values = value that you input last.
On the XP all OK.
Javio
I vote for a LINUX version too.
Thank you very much and congratulations for such an excellent job.
yibbidy
Just installed V3.0 on my Mac using Crossover. I haven't used DesignSpark before but I can report that it works well on the Mac - obviously not a nice as a native app but very useable. I'll have a play with some examples and libraries to give it a good test.
Shaun
Pete Wood
Hi Shaun
That's great!, Please keep us posted on how you are getting on with this! I'm sure that we will have lots of people on the community that would be intereted in how well this works for you.
sw338965
A quand la version française?
Pete Wood
Nous avons un plan pour l'avenir, mais nous n'avons pas commis une date à l'heure actuelle.
sw338965
At what time the french version?
regtopostonly
Dudes, when you can be bothered to make a native Linux version I can be bothered to look at it. Until then I won't waste my time. Oh and don't waste your and my time by suggesting wine.
Vt12
Hello! Looks good, but is there online DRC during routing?
Thank you!
efrislie
Please give us a version for mac:)
SebastianK
Mac&Linux, please!!!
Working with Altium till now, but will switch to DesignSpark!
DesignSpark just rocks!!!!!!
Easy to use, stable in VBox (WinXP), friendly to use, cool community at all!
Ill friendly test for you Betas for Mac (Lion) and Debian and searching for buggs and so on ;-)
Stay tuned!
Sebastian
K2Joom
Having been a windows users for years, I just started using Ubuntu 11.10.
Then I found Design Spark PCB which is Windows only.
Well for those in the same boat, I just simply searched for Wine in the software apps as it is a windows emulator.
Once installed, I was able to right click the Design Spark PCB .exe and select open with Wine.
Hey presto, its installed and run on Ubuntu.
Simon
Firemen2011
Hello Simon
did you just install wine and DesignSpark PCB and everything worked? I have Ubuntu 11.10 too and Wine 1.3.28 installed but I always get errors. When I used Ubuntu 11.04 everything worked fine, so I now have to use Virtual Box with Windows XP installed which works, but it steals all ressources of my computer.
I think a native Linux version would be the best.
Pete Wood
Great info Simon, we have a few members doing this, and we'd be interested to hear how you get on running DesignSpark PCB under this version release of Ubuntu.
rck
This is my vote for Linux support.
Pete Wood
At present we are no further down that road, in the mean time however, it works with WineHQ!, take a look at this link.
http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=11887
cdaaawg
Is there still an effort to port to Linux as Mark Cundle had informed? I would definitely consider converting from Eagle if a native Linux version were available. Thanks for your efforts.
Carl
grouchygeek
You have my vote for a MAC version of DesignSpark PCB!
dweston
I'm another potential user if an Apple Mac version is ever compiled.
ali65
I just have started using DesignSpark software, and it is really nice! Both on Windows XP and on Linux (though Wine) it works great. Thank you guys!
My enhancement wish list:
Setup a bug / new feature request tracking system. Create a page which contains info about the current state of development and Roadmap.
Develop advanced BOM management (online price checking / ordering / inventory)
Create an online library where users could share components/footprints or even designs for free.
Create an online library where users could bid on developing new components/footprints/designs for payment. (App store)
Online libraries should be searchable and it should be supported by bug tracking.
Make the CAD software developent open source.
Provide detailed documentation for the used file formats.
Ali
Wannabe
Hi!
Thank you for a nice product. Are you working on adding real bus connection to the schematic?
/Magnus
Martin Keenan
Hi Magnus,
Thanks for the question - it has recently been a very popular enhancement request so we can say it is a likely upgrade in the near future but I can't say too much beyond that at this stage.
Best regards
Martin
Sergei_Lusin
I think many of us would appreciate it if the Design Spark developers could state whether they have any intention of offering a Mac version. The requests have been coming in for a year now, which is probably enough time to decide.
We haven't heard anything back. When version 2 came along there was no indication what the future roadmap might be, either. It would be good of you guys be to let us know, one way or the other. Thanks.
Regards,
Sergei
LStacey
Hi Sergei,
The answer is the same as it was a year ago. There are no immediate plans but it's not been ruled out completely.
The problem here is that although a Mac version would be nice, it's difficult to ascertain how much need there is for it. DesignSpark PCB has somewhere in the region of 50,000 PC based users and we've had somewhere in the region of 50 users request a Mac version.
Angelos
Well, I'll then add an extra Mac requst as well. Mac how have a market share of over 15% based on web traffic statistic which is constantly growing whist PCs have seen a slight decline. With that percentage you should have seen over 7500 requests for a Mac version; of course most people don't bother to register here and ask. If it doesn't run they move on.
The other thing to consider... few years ago Macs were a no go for engineering work as little software existed. Whilst open source options were available for PICs and other micros there comes a point where it is cheaper to just buy a Windows PC than spend few days evaluating open source tools. Now most of the software I need exists on OSX... EAGLE upgraded our license to cover OSX free of charge and Microchip released MPLAB X. There are also several CAD programs in OSX which I am considering to replace our ancient Solidworks 2001.
All in all, I don't think we will be replacing the office PCs with Macs just yet. But I have been far happier with the Mac I have at home than I ever was with Windows. Now I only choose development tools that can run on both Windows and Mac so I can take work home and to ease future migration to Macs.
electro_pa
Not surprising, since you started out as PC only & FREE!
Mac users are discouraged right from the get-go. We can't get on the 'registered users' list, because it WON'T RUN!
If you guys @ RS don't run a Mac, then you don't know how seriously better they are to use.
I still want you to offer Mac version.
Regards,
Claude.
electro_pa
I vote for native Mac version. I have given up unstable PC/s.
Otherwise thank you for this product. The good reviews seem well earned!
Regards,
Claude.
Firemen2011
I vote for a Linux (Ubuntu) version too.
I´m just a newbie in electronics, but as a school project I developed a little PCB for a radio. I just can say it´s a great software. I run the program in VirtualBox by Oracle and it works fine. I think the autorouter could be improved, because I built a test design of 8 components and it didn´t manage it to route all nets.
If possible, could you make a german translated version too?
brelstad
Hi, I've made a few projects in DesignSpark PCB, but as my PCB production depends on milling them on a CNC machine, I still havent been able to make the actual PCBs yet.
I would be very grateful for a bitmap export function in DesignSpark. That would allow me to import a bitmap into my CAM software and produce the G-Code needed by my CNC machine.
Any hope?
Thanks
Bengt
Brom
Hello Brelstad
Many thanks for your inquiry. Yes, Version 2 of DS PCB now has an export function for Bitmap and Metafile. If you look to the FILE/ EXPORT menu, you will see the 2 options there. I hope this helps to answer you question. if you need more information , hit F1 and enter Bitmap in the search box
Kind regards
Ian