One of the most used and simple PCB prototyping software - that's what EAGLE CAD is.
The EAGLE Light Edition can be used for free. The following limitations apply to it:
- the schematic editor can only create on sheet.
- the usable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches).
- only two signal layers can be used (top and bottom).
Loading and printing designs that exceed this limits is allowed.
You can download the latest version of it from here.
EAGLE CAD consists of three building blocks: Control Panel (1), Schematic Editor (2) and Board Editor (3).
Control Panel (1)
Control Panel is the place where you can change the settings of the program, view and edit libraries, design rules, ULP's (user language programs), scripts, CAM jobs and projects (schematics and boards/layouts).
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| EAGLE CAD - Control Panel |
Schematic Editor (2)
This block is used to create the schematic of your circuit. The schematic is a graphical representation of the circuit and it contains all the components and connections between them. Based on this you will build the physical circuit board.
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| EAGLE CAD - Schematic Editor |
Board Editor (3)
Here is the place where magic happens - a new circuit board is born. Based on the schematic you will place the components (represented by footprints) and you will create the physical connections between them (circuit traces).
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| EAGLE CAD - Board Editor |
