automatic conversion : schematic -> PCB layout??

[mathflan]

Hi,

I'am wondering if there are softwares which make an automatic conversion of a schematic to an pcb.

thanks

[R.G.]

This question comes up with each new crop of effects builders.

Two answers:
(a) yes, programs exist that will take a schematic (net list, actually, but there are programs that will make a net list out of a schematic) and do a PCB layout from it; they are, in general, quite expensive, thousands of dollars.

and

(b) the layouts they do for anything except the simplest audio circuits are of poor quality. While they may (or may not) work acceptably, these programs do not have the ability to take into account things like high impedance devices, critical feedback signals, ground feedback currents, parasitic capacitance and the resulting treble loss, and so on. In short, the quality of the work that the programs do is unacceptably bad for the price you have to pay.

c) there are *no* programs affordable to experimenters (and that usually means free, right?) that will do what you ask, at least at the present time. Programs keep getting better. But it will probably not happen this year - or this decade.

[mathflan]

thanks R.G for the informations.

[d95err]

There are, of course, programs that will aid you in designing a PCB. It won't be automatic, but it can be very helpful, at least for a beginner (like me). I'm expermenting with EAGLE which you can download free (the light version) at www.cadsoft.de.

[KORGULL]

This one's not free, ($50 US) but may be close to what you're looking for:
http://www.new-wave-concepts.com/wizard.html

[Fp-www.Tonepad.com]

Also, please notice, a pcb layout is not only the routing, it also involves the parts placement which is as important as the traces themselves.

There are a LOT of decisions to be made when designing a pcb.

Fp

[Eric H]

Also, please notice, a pcb layout is not only the routing, it also involves the parts placement which is as important as the traces themselves.

There are a LOT of decisions to be made when designing a pcb.

Fp

Paul Perry posted this a while back (in the lounge)
http://www.genetic-programming.com/published/eetimes060396.html

-Eric