At 10:32 AM 9/14/99 -0400, you wrote: >I am currently evaluating Protel EDA software and was wondering if >anyone on the list uses it. > >If so: > >1. what is your opinion of it? I really like the older versions--can't get the new ones to load to evaluate yet--lack of time, not interest. Get one of their DEMO Cd's, and download the service paks to be sure you are current. I think you don't get the parts libraries, but that should not be a problem for test purposes. Play with their tutorial stuff. Good friend uses it 12 hours a day and says there is nothing better. >2. Do you recommend it? I've played with most, and keep coming back to protel--best bang for the buck so far. If you can get the current version on sale (Protel WILL dicker a bit--I've been offered the new version for $1200 complete--just lean hard. Would probably get it ASAP if the cash were available. >3. What other EDA software have you used for and how does it compare? Started with SCHEMA 15+ years ago. Played with PADSPCB, and The big expensive one, that was so bad I've even forgotten its name, plus some old workstation systems. Cooper&Chyan auto routers at $45K each, mylar and tape even. Even done boards with Autocad, and some systems you Don't want to know about. Real Horror stories, and the companies are long gone. >4. What are it's week points? On re-annotate, will flip op-amps occasionally--old versions would crash every once in a while. You got to buy the whole shebang--can't buy just the schematic and PCB parts. Sold me 3.0 then came out with the next major revision about four months later and wanted the same price as new for an upgrade. Auto router is based on the old NEURO ROUTE system which outperformed Cooper & Chyan a couple of years ago for us. Don't know about current versions. Most of our work ends up being routed by eye-- > >5. What are it's strong points? If the Schematic is perfect, the board will be perfect--error checking and design rules checking is awesome in the PCB package. But the board will reflect the schematic exactly if you pass rules checking--including errors in the schematic. Ground plane pours are fast, and the system removes all the dead copper too. Love it! Integrated system works well too. Easy to pass back and forth from schematic to PCB.. Haven't tried the SPICE simulator, but am told it integrates well too. Manual routing is really easy. > >Any information would be greatly appreciated There is supposed to be another major revision out in March--get the upgrade as part of the deal. > >Roger > > William K. Borsum, P.E. -- OEM Dataloggers and Instrumentation Systems &