DesignSpark PCB

DesignSpark PCB is a free electronic design automation software package for printed circuit boards. Although there is no charge for the software, the user must register with the website to unlock the program and it displays advertisements which must be acknowledged before the user can begin working.

DesignSpark PCB
Developer(s)RS Components
Initial releaseJuly 5, 2010
Stable release
9.0.3 / July 8, 2020
Operating systemWindows, Linux under Wine
Available inEnglish
TypeElectronic design automation
LicenseProprietary software
Websitewww.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-software

Background

DesignSpark PCB resulted from a collaboration between electronics distributor RS Components and EDA software developer 'Number One Systems'. Electronic design automation (EDA) software is a sub-class of computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Projects

Projects are used in DesignSpark PCB to organise design files. A project can have an unlimited number of schematic sheets and one PCB layout file.

Schematic capture

DesignSpark PCB has a Schematic editor. Schematics are used to draw up circuit diagrams and connections. A given project can have multiple schematic sheets that together combine to form the complete design.

There are some useful third party libraries that can be added.

PCB layout

Schematics are translated to a PCB layout file with a PCB Wizard. A PCB layout editor is then used to refine the physical layout of the printed circuit board. A design may have several iterations before a finalised printed circuit board is passed for production.

Autorouter

DesignSpark PCB includes an auto-router which automatically places tracks between components on a PCB layout. Components can also be auto-placed.

DesignSpark PCB produces Gerber and Excellon drill files. These standard files are accepted by PCB fabrication companies and are used to build a printed circuit board.

DesignSpark PCB Pro
DesignSpark PCB Pro
DesignSpark PCB Pro 9.0 displaying a sample schematic and PCB design.
Developer(s)RS Components
Initial releaseOctober 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)
Stable release
9.0.3 / July 8, 2020 (2020-07-08)
Operating systemWindows, Linux under Wine
PlatformDesktop, Laptop
Available inEnglish
TypeElectronic design automation
LicenseProprietary software
Websitewww.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-pro-software

DesignSpark PCB Pro is a paid upgrade from the free DesignSpark PCB software and a free trial is available to test the additional functionality.[1] It is aimed at professional electronic design engineers of SMEs with an expanded feature set compared to the free DesignSpark PCB software.[2]

Background

DesignSpark PCB Pro also resulted from a collaboration between electronics distributor RS Components and EDA software developer 'WestDev Ltd'.

Features

DesignSpark PCB Pro has specialised tools to aid professionals with customising and managing large projects involving multi-layer PCBs. Noteworthy features referred to on the developer's website include [3]:

  • Blind and Buried Vias - to connect between different layers of a complex printed circuit board
  • Fully configurable design rules editor and checker - to verify a circuit design and pass quality checks for production
  • Hierarchical Schematic Design - split multi-sheet schematics into building blocks to make them readable and manageable
  • Panel design editor - visualise and manage assembly of finished PCB designs prior to manufacturing
  • Variant Manager - to specify different design variants to meet global market requirements.

See also

References
  1. "DesignSpark PCB software comparison". DesignSpark.com.
  2. "RS Components' DesignSpark PCB Pro aimed at SME engineers". ElectronicsWeekly.com.
  3. "Top 5 features - DesignSpark PCB Pro". designspark.zendesk.com.

Further reading
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