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Platform forum

Shar , 08-15-2024, 05:42 PM

Which ECAD tool should I start learning Schematic and PCB design.. starting with a small board. as a beginner who has never designed any pcb board......KiCAD or CADENCE Orcad- Allegro.....My company has Cadence license but not Altium.....so shall I first start with open source KiCad or directly start with cadence
..I have heard from people that Cadence is time consuming to start with

corlas , 08-15-2024, 06:02 PM

Well both of the systems will take time to learn. Depends which one will you use more later. But if you can, I would go for Cadence. If you have someone near you who can help you with it. Of course you will find more help for KiCAD on the internet but learning KiCAD after Cadence is easy I think.

Shar , 08-15-2024, 06:14 PM

Yes..I agree...But I am just thinking that if I start with Cadence if the tool Learning takes more time...then my main purpose of circuit design and fundamentals of.pcb might get delayed...once I design simple board...then I can switch to Cadence..as now I have that basic pcb understanding..so.even if tool
Learning takes a little more time..it won't be an issue. ....

Robert Feranec , 08-15-2024, 06:34 PM

Easiest to start with is EasyEDA. No installation, you don't have to create libraries (that saves a ton of time) and you can design simple boards very quickly. https://youtu.be/S_p0YV-JlfU

Artarka , 08-29-2024, 10:25 AM

bit late, but I personally recommend DipTrace. I find it intuitive to use compare to KiCad, its free within 200pins.